Govt Committed To Digitising Nigeria’s Transport Sector — Minister

Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has reaffirmed federal government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector through digitisation, strategic investments, and stakeholder collaboration.

Alkali, who spoke on Tuesday at the Nigerian Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit in Abuja, said transport and logistics were the “lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy” and emphasised the sector’s role in driving national development.

The programme, with the theme “Building Sustainable Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Nigeria: Current Trends and Future Insights,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to chart a sustainable path for the future of transport in Nigeria.

Alkali further noted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, key priorities include the transformation of the rail sector, modernisation of pipeline infrastructure, and the adoption of future-focused technologies.

He says, “Tangible progress is already being recorded across multiple fronts — rail, road, pipeline transportation — and various innovations aimed at delivering efficient service in line with international best practices.”

He stressed that government efforts alone would not suffice and called on private sector investors and other stakeholders to actively support the sector’s transformation.

Earlier, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, director general of the Nigerian Institute for Transport Technology (NITT), highlighted the critical need for Nigeria to align with global trends, including sustainability, digital transformation, and the deployment of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain.

According to him, “The challenge before us is clear. We must align with global best practices while developing home-grown solutions to our infrastructural, regulatory, and operational gaps.”

Farah added that addressing climate change, rapid urbanisation, and the growing demand for mobility and trade is essential for Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness in the global logistics landscape.