Stakeholders in the transport sector have advised the federal government to adopt the Public-Private Partnerships PPPs) in building transport infrastructure in Nigeria.
In a communique issued at the end of the maiden Transport Summit organised by Just Alive Communications Ltd with the theme: ‘Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure: Innovation for a Sustainable Future’ held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at the providence by Mantis Hotel, G.R.A., Ikeja, Lagos, the stakeholders urged the federal government to further liberalise the rail sub-sector to allow for private sector participation in the system.
The one-day summit was chaired by Mr. Fola Tinubu, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Primero Transport Services Ltd, the operator of the Blue BRT Buses in Lagos.
Keynote speaker was the Lagos State University (LASU) Professorial Chair on Transport Studies, Prof. Bamidele Badejo. Badejo delivered a paper on ‘The Future of Transportation In Nigeria: Trends, Challenges, Opportunities, and the way forward.’ The second paper, ‘Modernising Freight Forwarding Infrastructure: Driving Sustainable Transport Logistics and Trade Facilitation in Nigeria,’ was delivered by Dr. Oluwasegun Musa, Chief Executive Officer, Widescope International Group and senior consultant, Global Transport Policy.
In the panel of discussions: The1st Session included: Capt. Ado Sanusi, CEO of Aero Contractors (represented by Mr. Olufemi Oluwafemi); Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu (retd), CEO, Centurion Security Services Ltd; Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, former Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria; Mr. Remi Jibodu, Acting Chief Operating Officer (ACOO), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL); Dr. Alex Nwuba, President, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations of Nigeria; Dr. Chinedu Eze, Author, Aviation Editor and Deputy Business Editor, ThisDay Newspaper. The session was anchored by Olusegun Koiki, Head, Transport, Aviation and Tourism, The Guardian Newspaper.
2nd Session: Dr. Femi Aiyegbajeje, Senior Lecturer, University of Lagos (UNILAG); Chizoba Anyika, CiOTA, National Publicity Secretary and Deputy Director at NIMASA; Frank Ogunnojemite, President, APFFLON; Dr. Azeez, Managing Director, A-Z Logistics and Mr. Frank Kintum, CEO, Transport Day Media. The session was moderated by Mr. Kinglsey Anaroke
The summit charged the federal government to drive transport sector development through creation and implementation of workable transport policies that comprise all the various modes of transportation in Nigeria which will ensure connectivity and even growth.
The stakeholders tasked the federal government to act fast in decongesting and lessening the pressure on the roads by paying attention to other modes of transportation by creating an enabling environment to drive private sector investment in inland water transport, indigenous shipping, aviation and railways.
They enjoined the government to effectively separate politics from the transport sector and allow competent professionals to head the various agencies in the transportation sector.
The summit noted that while attaining good connectivity in Nigeria requires innovative thinking, the government should do something unusual to solve her transport challenges.
They emphasised that the Lekki Free Zone should be connected with railway and good access roads, while the federal government should help the airlines to get affordable credits by borrowing cheaply from development partners and giving the credits to airlines at single-digit interest rates.
The stakeholders also called on the federal government to improve on governance issues in the aviation industry, including urgent discontinuation of collection of Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC) or carry out a downward review of the charges to rescue the sector from total collapse.
Other issues captured in the communique include: That the Government must drive innovation across all the different modes of transport through adoption of digitalisation and automation. It must quicken work on the National Single Window initiative and bring it into operation as soon as possible.
That the Federal Government should strengthen the institutions in the transport sector by engaging competent professionals in relevant positions across board.
That Nigeria must improve her green energy adoption in transportation by reducing her overall carbon footprint.
They called for the establishment of a National Aircraft Leasing Company to provide affordable access to aircraft and spare parts financing,
developing a long-term National Aviation Infrastructure Master Plan that integrates airport upgrades,t technology adoption, and transit connectivity.
The stakeholders also called for the enhancement of security coordination through unified standards and real-time data sharing among airport stakeholders.
Others are to reform governance structures in regulatory agencies to ensure professionalism, continuity, and insulation from political influence.
The summit stressed the need to launch a coordinated image-rebranding campaign to reposition Nigeria as a safe, reliable, and competitive hub for regional transit.
They also called for the promotion of consistent stakeholder dialogue between the public and private sectors to sustain reforms and monitor progress.
They emphasised the Provision of transit facilities at the major international airports across the country, as such gap is limiting the growth of the aviation sector in Nigeria.
The stakeholders stressed the need to fastrack Customs processes at the ports, a situation that has remained a herculean, leading to longer cargo waiting time and causing traders to incur losses in form of demurrage charges.
