CIoTA to Host National Transport Conference, Focus on Infrastructure and Private Investment

 The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) has announced its 7th National Transport Conference, aiming to chart a course for modernizing the country’s transport infrastructure to achieve global competitiveness.

Scheduled for November 4-6, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, the conference will convene under the theme: ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Mode for Global Competitiveness.’

Announcing the event at a press briefing in Abuja, the National President of CIoTA, Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, FinsTA, delivered a stark assessment of the current state of the sector, distancing the institute’s vision from the prevailing reality.

“Rickety vehicles and boats are not our dream for Nigeria’s transport system,” Obayendo stated. “We cannot give up on our advocacy right to demand for what is good and fair. We will keep emphasising professionalism as it obtains in other critical sectors, which is the very reason for CIoTA’s existence.”

Obayendo highlighted the critical link between a efficient transport network and national economic ambitions, noting that the sector is indispensable for achieving a $1 trillion GDP. He argued that this goal requires robust regulations and policies, alongside a significant shift in funding models.

“Government has no unlimited resources,” he said. “To move faster as far as infrastructure is concerned, we need to bring in private investors and partnerships. This conference is about letting the whole world know that the government cannot do it alone.”

The CIoTA President also commended the federal government’s push for Local Government autonomy, advocating for a greater role for councils in transport management. “When Local Governments are empowered, they will deliver, as they control over 60% of the roads in the country. This would free the federal and state governments to concentrate on rail development.”

The conference will feature the Governor of Kaduna State, governor Uba Sani, who is expected to present his state’s achievements as a case study for subnational transport development.

Significant policy documents, including the newly developed Land Transport Policy and the Blue and Marine Economy Policy, will be presented for discussion ahead of implementation. The event will also see the launch of two major publications: a **Compendium** of past conference papers and the new **African Journal of Transportation**.

Professor Samuel Odewumi, Chairman of the Planning Committee, emphasized the conference’s urgency, stating it is “timely and crucial to the national development aspirations.” He said the gathering would “dissect the opportunities and challenges within the five modes of transportation” through keynote presentations, technical sessions, and panel discussions.

The conference is positioned as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to forge a public-private consensus on driving Nigeria’s transport sector into a new era of efficiency and growth.

Olusemire Jegede