CILT seeks integrated transport system linking road, rail, waterways, aviation

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria has called for an integrated transport system linking road, rail, maritime, aviation and inland waterways to reduce logistics costs and strengthen economic growth.

The institute made the call on Wednesday at a pre-conference press briefing in Lagos ahead of its 2026 National Conference, scheduled to hold from October 21 to 23 at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Transforming Nigeria’s Transport and Logistics Systems for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Infrastructure,” CILT said Nigeria could no longer address its transportation challenges through isolated projects and disconnected interventions.

The institute said an efficient transport system must allow different modes of transportation to complement one another, while logistics hubs, ports, terminals and last-mile services are effectively integrated into the national network.

In an address delivered on behalf of the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Professor Kayode Oyesiku, by the Dean, School of Logistics and Transport, University of Lagos, Dr. Ogochukwu Ugboma, the institute said transport and logistics were central to the movement of people, agricultural produce, industrial inputs and finished goods across the country.

According to Professor Kayode Oyesiku, weaknesses in the system have consequences that extend beyond the transport sector, affecting the cost of food, business competitiveness, access to jobs and education, trade and national productivity.

He said Nigeria also needed infrastructure capable of withstanding climate risks, stronger institutional coordination, technology that would improve visibility and accountability, and a skilled workforce to manage the changing logistics industry.

The institute also said the forthcoming conference was designed to move discussions beyond identifying problems to developing practical solutions and partnerships capable of supporting implementation.

The conference will bring together policymakers, regulators, transport and logistics operators, investors, academics, technology providers, development partners, students and young professionals.

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It will feature discussions on sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, digital transformation and smart logistics, multimodal connectivity, governance and policy reform, infrastructure financing, human-capital development and inclusive mobility.

The institute also called for greater attention to the governance of the logistics sector, with one of the speakers at the briefing stressing the need for a dedicated governance structure capable of coordinating the various components of the industry.

The speaker said the choice of Abuja as the venue for the conference was partly informed by the need to bring discussions closer to policymakers and strengthen the connection between policy formulation and implementation.

On the environmental impact of transportation, another speaker said Nigeria’s transport planning must increasingly take climate risks and transport-related externalities into consideration.

The speaker advocated greater use of mass transit and alternative modes such as rail, maritime transport and aviation where appropriate, particularly as part of efforts to improve efficiency and address environmental concerns associated with heavy dependence on road transportation.

CILT also highlighted the importance of professional development in transforming the sector, noting that it provides training, certification, mentoring and professional development opportunities for practitioners in logistics and transport.

The institute said its qualifications are administered through its United Kingdom headquarters and are internationally recognised.