CIoTA calls for coordination of all transport modal policies of air, land, marine … Establishment of Transport Management Authority 

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) of Nigeria has called for proper coordination of all the transport modal policies of Air, Land and Marine to form a National Integrated Transport Policy (NITP), which will be handy for local and foreign investors and promote multi-modalism.

CIoTA further urged Government to establish a transport regulatory body to be known as Transport Management Authority.

CIoTA made this public at a press conference for the Presentation of the Communique of the 2025 National Transport Conference which took place on November 19, 2025, via a Zoom meeting.

Recalled that the 7th National Transport Conference, Fellowship Investiture/Membership Induction, Contransp Certification and annual General Meeting of the group took place on 4th–6th November, 2025 at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja-FCT.

The theme of the Conference was ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness’

Professor Samuel Odewumi, who was the Chairman Organising Committee of CIoTA made public the communique which was aimed at  repositioning Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and governance models for global competitiveness.

According to the communique, CIOTA reaffirmed its role in professional certification, training, advocacy and sector leadership. It called for institutional transparency, accountability and regulatory coherence as essential for sustainable transport infrastructure development.

Prof Odewumi further read, “The Conference welcomes the approval, within the year 2025, of the first National Land Transport, Marine and Blue Economy policies. The minister acknowledges CIoTA’s contribution to the drafting of the policy.

“The conference resolved that there is a need to collaborate with the transport unions to deepen transport education and training in Nigeria, thereby improving productivity, operational efficiency, effectiveness, and professional ethics.

“The Minister of Transportation presented an impressive report on the master plan, ongoing and completed infrastructure projects, especially concerning rail and modern mega passenger terminals across the six geographical zones of the country.

“That CIoTA should collaborate with the Government to ensure public enlightenment and the effective implementation of the National Land Transport Policy, and the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, thereby enhancing and modernising the country’s transportation system.

“The conference noted that only three states, Lagos, Kano and Kaduna, have a State Transport Policy and therefore call on others to develop their policies to guide the development of the sector. It is expected that they will align their policy with the national framework,” Prof Odewumi said

The conference further highlighted the need for multimodal integration: connecting road, rail, air, maritime, and inland waterways to boost efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and position Nigeria in global supply chains for it to maximize the AfCFTA regime.

Also there is a determination by CIoTA to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to develop and implement Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport System (ITS) across the nation. This partnership, the communique said, will help to modernise Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability, and align the nation’s transport operations with global standards.

Prof Odewumi read further, “That there is a need for the Government to establish a Road Transport Management Authority to plan and manage the orderly development of the mode, which is responsible for more than 90% of the sector’s mobility needs. As the NCAA is to Aviation, NIWA to Inland Waterway, NRC to Railways and NIMASA for International Maritime/Shipping.

“CIoTA is ready and willing to assist with developing the transport policy for the government at all levels through its special-purpose consultancy outfit, well-suited to the drafting.

“That there is a need for improvements in the linkage of port infrastructure and the national rail network to enhance port efficiency and put the Inland Dry Ports to maximum use. Implement a deliberate policy to activate the use of the Eastern ports, thereby reducing congestion in the Western ports, improving ship turnaround time and cargo dwell time, and making the Nigerian ports more attractive to shippers,” he said.

The conference advised the government to speedily release funds to complete all ongoing and abandoned rail projects to effectively address operational challenges in Nigeria’s rail sector.

The group said government should streamline the issuance of driver’s licences and strengthen driver education and training institutions in Nigeria, especially by encouraging states to establish driver training institutes to enhance the overall safety and security of Nigerian roads.

CIoTA disclosed her readiness to partner with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on route mapping and logistics optimisation that will enhance efficiency, reduce transit losses, and promote just-in-time delivery for the livestock business, thereby strengthening the national livestock value chain and contributing to food security and economic growth

The conference resolved that there is a need for the CIoTA and the government to collaborate to strengthen the implementation of Public-Private Partnership strategies for transport infrastructure development and sustainability.

CIoTA resolved to collaborate with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to promote manpower development in the aviation sector of Nigeria by leveraging their training programmes in order to compete globally as well as safeguarding the local content professional participation in the aviation sector.

According to the communique CIoTA also resolved to build up its efforts on the other crucial issue of professionalisation of the transport sector and reiterated its commitment to support the governments, private sector, and all other stakeholders in the planning and development of transport infrastructure in the country.

CIoTA, as a leader in the transport sector, resolved to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to design and develop standardised livestock vehicle carriages to ensure the seamless distribution of livestock across the country.

That there is a need for governments and transport operators to increase investment in transport innovative and security infrastructure, especially by deploying cybersecurity systems, biometric scanners, CCTVs, GPS, and mobile app security devices to reduce transport crime in the transport space (vandalism of rail, drug trafficking in our airport, kidnapping and crime on the road, piracy and robbery in our waterways and maritime domain, and pipeline transport infrastructure).

That the government should rehabilitate its existing pipeline for petroleum product distribution and increase investment in the development of new lines to facilitate the nationwide distribution network of auto gas to strengthen sustainable, affordable, and secure transportation of clean fuel in line with the nation’s signed commitment to net-zero emission by 2035 and 2060 thresholds.

CIoTA shall intensify its advocacy, in collaboration with governments at all levels, to promote repositioning of Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and governance models for global competitiveness.

Over 450 delegates were in attendant among whom were: Commissioners in charge of Transport from the Nine (9) States; Chief Executives of Transport Agencies and Parastatals in both Federal and State levels; Security Agencies; Academia; Captains of Industry; sister Professional Bodies; International Community; Policy Makers; Royal Fathers; Public and Private Industry Practitioners of all the modes and subsector; and Organized Union members in the Transport Industry in the country.

The total number of 240 members were inducted into various categories of membership as follows: Honorary fellow 13, Direct fellow 8, Fellow Upgrade 29, Members Upgrade 10, Members 85, Associate 95.