Transport and logistics specialists have attributed Nigeria’s inability to establish an effective integrated transport system to a lack of strong political will and inadequate policy execution, despite having a wealth of local knowledge and numerous government efforts.
The specialists addressed the second edition of the Transport Summit, which took place over the weekend in Lagos, themed ‘Navigating Global Disruption and the Road Ahead: Mobility, Energy and Trade Facilitation for a Resilient Future.’
During a panel discussion on a paper presented by University of Lagos senior lecturer, Dr Femi Aiyegbajeje, titled ‘Rail-Led Multimodal Integration: Unlocking Efficient Transport, Trade Facilitation and National Connectivity,’ speakers identified the failure to translate policies into concrete outcomes, rather than a shortage of ideas, as Nigeria’s major challenge.
The Managing Principal of AZ Logistics, Dr Azeez Mustapha, said Nigeria possessed the capacity to develop an efficient and integrated transport system but lacked the political will and commitment needed to implement its policies effectively.
“Nigeria is not missing much.” What Nigeria needs is execution. “We do not have the political determination,” he stated.
Mustapha referenced talks about linking the Lagos rail network to airports as an example of initiatives whose success relies on ongoing implementation, encouraging governments at every level to focus on execution and create solutions tailored to the nation’s circumstances.
The Managing Director of Expedite Movers Nigeria Limited, Olubowala Ade-Onojobi, criticized the nation’s method of policymaking, observing that successive governments have rolled out policies without guaranteeing their successful execution.
She implored officials to concentrate on implementing current policies instead of repeatedly introducing new ones, mentioning that Nigeria could take lessons from the United Kingdom’s transportation system without unthinkingly emulating foreign frameworks.
“We have regulations in this nation.” Every year, the government introduces new policies. “The officials need to show how current policies are being put into action,” she stated.
Conversely, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, contended that Nigeria should not import a complete transport model for successful integration.
He promoted local solutions that enhance current initiatives and address the country’s requirements, referencing the Lagos State Cowry Card as a testament to advancement.
Emmanuel states that the payment platform allows commuters to pay for trips via boats, Bus Rapid Transit services, and rail, showcasing how a unified payment system can enhance convenience and connectivity among various transport modes.
Kingsley Anaroke, the Publisher of MMS Plus Newspaper, urged Nigerian transport experts to convene and create an effective framework for unifying the nation’s transport infrastructure and services.
He stated that Nigeria possessed the necessary human resources to create an effective system but had not succeeded in utilizing its expertise and maintaining policy execution.
Anaroke mentioned the nation’s Cabotage policy as an example of an effort whose anticipated advantages had not been completely achieved, cautioning that implementing foreign models without tackling local issues might result in minimal advancement.
