Nigeria's continued dependence on road transportation for moving passengers and goods is undermining economic growth, increasing business costs, and worsening inflationary pressures, according to transportation expert Prof. Samuel Odewumi. Odewumi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, stated in an interview that over 80% of cargo movement in Nigeria relies on roads, placing enormous pressure on highways and accelerating infrastructure deterioration.
Lack of integration among transport modes
Odewumi explained that one of the biggest challenges facing the economy is the lack of effective integration among various transportation modes. Seaports, railways, inland waterways, airports, and road networks should function as a seamless logistics chain, but in Nigeria, these modes operate largely independently. Rail connections to major seaports remain inadequate, inland dry ports are grossly underutilized, and water transport infrastructure is underdeveloped, limiting the benefits of a multimodal transport system.
Port congestion and other obstacles
The transport expert identified port congestion as a major obstacle to efficient intermodal operations. Delays in cargo clearance, cumbersome customs procedures, multiple checkpoints, and inefficient terminal operations increase turnaround time and reduce productivity across the supply chain. He noted that the Apapa port corridor in Lagos remains a classic example of how poor traffic management and inadequate infrastructure can cripple logistics efficiency.
Beyond infrastructure deficits, Odewumi highlighted insecurity along transport corridors, rising fuel costs, expensive vehicle maintenance, inadequate warehousing facilities, limited adoption of digital logistics technologies, and overlapping regulatory functions among government agencies as additional constraints. He also criticized policy inconsistency and the lack of a maintenance culture, warning that infrastructure projects are often initiated without adequate long-term planning for sustainability, connectivity, and operational efficiency.
Impact on business costs and inflation
The cumulative effect of these challenges is a significant increase in the cost of doing business in Nigeria. When goods spend excessive time in transit due to bad roads, traffic congestion, port delays, or weak rail connectivity, transportation costs rise sharply. Businesses eventually pass these additional costs to consumers through higher prices of goods and services, fueling inflation.
Benefits of improved transport infrastructure
Odewumi stressed that improving transportation and logistics infrastructure could deliver far-reaching economic benefits. Efficient transport systems would reduce the cost of moving goods and people, help curb inflation, improve productivity, and support industrial expansion. A properly integrated multimodal transport network would strengthen Nigeria's position in regional and international trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative. With efficient rail links to ports, functional inland waterways, modern highways, and improved cargo-handling systems, Nigeria has the potential to emerge as a major logistics and distribution hub in West Africa.
Improved transportation infrastructure would also attract investments, create jobs, and boost government revenue. Construction and maintenance projects would generate employment opportunities, while efficient supply chains would drive growth in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and e-commerce. Rural communities would particularly benefit through improved access to markets, healthcare services, education, and other economic opportunities.
Call for a coordinated national multimodal transport framework
Odewumi called for the development of a coordinated national multimodal transport framework, arguing that until Nigeria embraces a fully integrated transportation system, logistics efficiency will remain below global standards and continue to constrain economic development.
