The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) of Nigeria has made a strong call for the federal government to harmonise the country's transport policies. The institute is pushing for a unified framework that would merge the separate policies governing air, land, and marine transport into a single, cohesive National Integrated Transport Policy (NITP).
A Unified Vision for Nigerian Transport
This urgent appeal was presented by the institute's President, Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, during a press conference held on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. The event was organised to publicly present the communique from the recently concluded 7th National Transport Conference. According to CIoTA, this coordinated policy approach is critical for providing clarity to both local and foreign investors and for actively promoting multimodality within Nigeria's transport network.
Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Anyika, the National Publicity Secretary of CIoTA, elaborated on the institute's position. She revealed that CIoTA has formally urged the government to establish a new, overarching regulatory body to be known as the Transport Management Authority. This body would be tasked with ensuring coherence and efficiency across all transport modes.
Key Resolutions from the National Transport Conference
The foundational discussions for these recommendations took place at the 7th National Transport Conference, which was held from November 4 to 5, 2025, at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja. The event, which also included a Fellowship Investiture and Membership Induction, was themed 'Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness'.
The subsequent communique outlined several critical resolutions aimed at overhauling the sector. It reaffirmed CIoTA's commitment to professional certification, training, and advocacy. The document strongly emphasised that institutional transparency, accountability, and regulatory coherence are non-negotiable for sustainable transport development.
Professor Odewunmi, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, who read the communique, highlighted several specific action points:
- The conference welcomed the government's approval of the first National Land Transport and Marine and Blue Economy policies within 2025.
- It was resolved that CIoTA must collaborate with transport unions to deepen transport education and training in Nigeria.
- The institute is to work with the government to ensure the effective implementation of the new national policies.
- A major concern was the lack of state-level transport policies, with only Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna having such frameworks. Other states were called upon to develop their own policies in alignment with the national vision.
Driving Modernisation and Multimodal Integration
A significant portion of the communique focused on the urgent need for multimodal integration. This involves seamlessly connecting road, rail, air, maritime, and inland waterways networks. Such integration is seen as vital for boosting efficiency, slashing high logistics costs, and positioning Nigeria to fully capitalise on opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Furthermore, CIoTA has committed to partnering with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to develop and implement Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) nationwide. This partnership is expected to modernise infrastructure, enhance safety and sustainability, and align Nigeria's transport operations with global standards.
In a direct call to action, the communique stressed the need for the government to establish a dedicated Road Transport Management Authority. This authority would plan and manage the development of the road transport mode, which currently handles over 90% of the country's mobility needs. The proposal mirrors the regulatory functions of agencies like the NCAA for aviation and NIMASA for maritime.
Finally, the institute also called for improvements in linking port infrastructure with the national rail network. A deliberate policy to activate the use of Eastern ports was recommended to reduce congestion in Western ports and make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shippers.
