The Nigerian Federal Government has announced plans to establish a national data bank to enhance efficiency and improve decision-making across the transportation sector. This initiative, shared by Dr. Segun Obayendo, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA), will be a focal point of the upcoming 6th National Transport Conference in Abuja, themed “Sustainable Transportation in a Disruptive Era: The Challenges of Developing Economies.”
Dr. Obayendo explained that Nigeria’s roads are critical to the nation’s transport network, handling 90% of all passenger and freight traffic. The new data bank aims to centralize the collection, analysis, and dissemination of transport data, providing the Federal Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders with vital intelligence for policy formulation and effective sector management. “This data bank will serve as a hub for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating transport-related data, supporting evidence-based planning and policy decisions,” he stated.
The platform will help monitor Nigeria’s transport activities and logistics, offering stakeholders a data-driven foundation for improving the sector.
Emphasis on Sustainability and Inclusiveness
Professor Samuel Odewumi, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the conference, highlighted that the event will focus on sustainability, disruptive technologies, and governance strategies to propel Nigeria’s transport sector into a more inclusive and efficient era. “Stakeholders will discuss initiatives to drive efficiency, sustainability, and inclusiveness in the transportation sector,” Odewumi stated.
Lagos State’s Initiative for Interstate Travel Modernization
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has launched a modernization program to enhance interstate travel safety and reliability. The program accredits interstate parks and digitizes passenger manifests to streamline operations. In the first phase, 30 regulated parks will serve as a model for bringing over 100 unregulated parks into compliance, improving safety standards and reducing the prevalence of unregulated “mushroom” parks. The program’s digital manifest system replaces traditional paper processes, providing a safer and more efficient travel experience for passengers.
