Experts and stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport sector have called for urgent reforms to build climate-smart, inclusive, and professionally managed infrastructure across the country.
They warned that continued reliance on outdated systems poses significant risks to public safety, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
This call formed the highlight of discussions at the opening of the North Central Conference of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), held in Jos, Plateau State, with the theme: “Transforming Transport Infrastructure for Sustainable Economic Development.”
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Ibrahim Choji of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) stressed the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s aging transport systems in response to climate change.
He noted that much of the country’s infrastructure is based on colonial-era designs, which are now obsolete.
“Our infrastructure was not built with climate resilience in mind. We must move beyond recommendations and adopt specific, actionable strategies—such as establishing a Climate Risk Assessment Unit within the Federal Ministry of Works, using heat-resistant materials in road construction, and restoring 1,000 hectares of wetlands,” he said.
He warned that failure to adapt transport systems to withstand flooding, erosion, and extreme heat could leave Nigeria more vulnerable to disasters and economic shocks.
Representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Stephen Pam Gadong, reiterated the state government’s commitment to modernizing its transport system as a foundation for peace, unity, and development.
“The transformation of transport infrastructure is not just a matter of development—it is a catalyst for peace, integration, economic prosperity, and job creation. A well-connected Plateau is a prosperous Plateau,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Plateau State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Jatau Davou Gyang, highlighted steps taken by the Mutfwang administration to reposition the sector. These include road rehabilitation across the three senatorial zones, expansion of Plateau Express services, and plans to deploy mass transit buses across the 17 local government areas.
He added that the state is aligning its upcoming transport policy with national frameworks and is working to convert Yakubu Gowon Airport into a cargo hub to boost the agricultural supply chain.
On his part, CIOTA Chairman of Council, Prince Begun Ochuko Obayendo, lamented the low level of professionalization in Nigeria’s transport sector.
He called for smarter enforcement systems, ethical regulation, and the integration of data-driven strategies to guide infrastructure investments.
“Transportation is the most indispensable profession after divine providence, yet it is one of the least professionalized in Nigeria. Until we regulate and build human capacity, our investments in infrastructure will fall short,” Obayendo said.
He outlined five key pillars for effective urban mobility—safety, security, predictability, affordability, and sustainability and commended Plateau State for initiating reforms in line with these principles.
The three-day conference brought together transport experts, government officials including Niger State Commissioner for Transport, Hadiza Kuta, private investors, and policymakers from across the North Central region, all united in their call for coordinated, data-driven solutions to reposition Nigeria’s transport ecosystem for climate resilience and long-term development.
