EXPERTS BLAME POOR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FOR NIGERIA’S TRANSPORT FAILURE

Transport and logistics experts have blamed weak political will and poor policy implementation for Nigeria’s failure to develop an efficient and well-integrated transport system, despite repeated government initiatives and the availability of local expertise.

The experts raised the concerns at the second edition of the Transport Summit held in Lagos, where discussions focused on mobility, energy, trade facilitation and the future of Nigeria’s transport sector.

They argued that the country’s major challenge was not the absence of policies or workable ideas, but the inability of successive administrations to translate plans into practical results. According to them, frequent policy announcements have done little to address persistent gaps in coordination, infrastructure development and the integration of different modes of transportation.

The Managing Principal of AZ Logistics, Dr Azeez Mustapha, said Nigeria had the capacity to build an effective transport system but lacked the political commitment required to implement existing policies consistently. He urged governments at all levels to prioritise execution and ensure that planned projects deliver their intended benefits.

The Managing Director of Expedite Movers Nigeria Limited, Olubowala Ade-Onojobi, also criticised the country’s approach to policymaking, arguing that authorities should concentrate on implementing existing policies rather than continually introducing new ones. She maintained that Nigeria could learn from successful transport systems in other countries but must adapt such models to local realities.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, argued that Nigeria did not need to import an entire transport model to achieve effective integration. He pointed to the Lagos Cowry Card system, which allows commuters to pay for journeys across boats, Bus Rapid Transit services and rail, as an example of a locally developed solution that can improve connectivity.

Publisher of MMS Plus Newspaper, Kingsley Anaroke, called for Nigerian transport experts to develop a practical framework for integrating the country’s transport infrastructure and services. He said Nigeria had the human resources needed to design an efficient system but had failed to harness that expertise and sustain implementation.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of connecting road, rail, air and maritime transportation to improve the movement of people and goods, reduce logistics costs and support economic growth.

Experts maintained that an integrated transport system could improve trade, ease commuting challenges and strengthen national connectivity. However, achieving these benefits would require consistent funding, coordination among relevant agencies and sustained political commitment.

They called on governments to move beyond policy announcements and focus on measurable outcomes, stressing that effective implementation would be critical to resolving Nigeria’s longstanding transportation challenges.