CIoTA Confers Honorary Fellowship on Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, Signs MoU with IoD, and Inducts 230+ Members at National Transport Conference

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) officially inaugurated its 7th National Transport Conference in Abuja, a pivotal gathering focused on the theme “Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness.” The event convened a wide array of industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders dedicated to advancing the national transport sector.

In a significant moment during the opening ceremony, the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, who served as the conference chairman, was honoured with a prestigious Honorary Fellowship from the Institute.

This recognition celebrates his administration’s transformative contributions to transportation infrastructure and governance, which were detailed in his acceptance speech. Governor Sani elaborated on a comprehensive transport agenda serving as a national model, including a roads revolution involving 85 new roads covering 785 kilometers, Northern Nigeria’s first Bus Rapid Transit system, modern transport hubs, a citizen-relief program saving commuters over half a billion naira, and an advanced-stage Light Rail project.

The conference featured critical addresses on national transport policy and reform. CIoTA National President Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, FinsTA reflected on decades of advocacy culminating in milestones like the adoption of the Transport Cadre and the National Land Transport Policy, while issuing an urgent call for reform. He highlighted that only Kaduna and Lagos States possess functional transport policies and decried the safety crisis on inland waterways.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Said Alkali, reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment, announcing the landmark approval of Nigeria’s first National Land Transport Policy. He detailed significant progress on key rail projects, addressed public concerns by directing the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to resolve ticketing issues on the Abuja-Kaduna route, and outlined steps towards embracing smart mobility and blockchain technology.

A major highlight on the second day was the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (IoD). CIoTA President Obayendo emphasized the significance of this partnership, which will require transport and logistics operations in thousands of IoD-member companies to align with CIoTA’s professional standards, describing it as a symbiotic effort to synergize both organizations.

The plenary sessions featured insights from sector leaders, including Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the NRC, who discussed challenges in the national rail system, announced the imminent operation of the Lagos-Kano route, and outlined an ambitious long-term plan to expand Nigeria’s railway network to 60,000 kilometers.

Contributions from other agencies highlighted cross-sectoral advances. A representative from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology highlighted the sector’s role as an economic multiplier, contributing over $1.7 billion to GDP. The FRSC announced a new digital license production system capable of issuing over 15,000 licenses daily, while NIMASA reported advancements in maritime security through new assets and collaborations.

In a ceremonial climax, CIoTA President Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo presided over the induction of over 230 new members into the institute, including 23 Transportants, 75 associates, 85 full members, and 50 fellows, significantly strengthening the professional network committed to advancing transport administration in Nigeria.

The three-day conference continued with in-depth sessions on policy implementation, technology integration, and stakeholder collaboration, underscoring a collective resolve to build a transport sector that drives economic growth, safety, and innovation.

Olusemire Jegede