The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors to develop an efficient and integrated transportation system capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Goronyo made the call on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja, with the theme: “Developing Effective Transportation Systems for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation.”
Representing the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, Goronyo described roads and bridges as critical lifelines for trade, commerce and human mobility, stressing that durable and expanded road networks were essential to national development.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, on Thursday, he said efficient road infrastructure connects rural agricultural communities to urban markets, facilitates access to seaports and rail terminals, and promotes the movement of people and goods across the country.
According to him, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is giving unprecedented attention to infrastructure development through substantial investments and innovative financing mechanisms.
Goronyo highlighted the Federal Government’s four major legacy road projects spanning the six geopolitical zones. The projects include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Trans-Sahara Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri-Yola corridor, with a spur from Jos to Ibi in Taraba State.
He said the projects were designed as strategic investments to improve connectivity, stimulate commerce, create jobs and strengthen national integration.
The Minister of State added that the projects would incorporate environmentally friendly initiatives, including the use of cement in place of asphalt, construction of dams for irrigation and renewable energy, solar-powered street lighting and windmill technology along the littoral corridor.
He said the completion of the projects would ease transportation across the country, enable farmers to move produce to markets more quickly, improve industrial access to raw materials and markets, and provide safer and more comfortable travel for Nigerians.
Goronyo also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works was embracing rigid pavement technology to construct more durable roads capable of withstanding heavy traffic and high water tables.
He noted that effective rail transportation would complement road infrastructure by moving a significant portion of heavy freight currently transported by road.
The Minister of State further urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure against vandalism and theft, calling on communities to take ownership of infrastructure within their areas and support government agencies in safeguarding public assets.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, commended the Federal Government for the resources being committed to road infrastructure development.
Aliero described road infrastructure as critical to national development, noting that sustainable economic growth could not be achieved without an efficient road network.
He said the theme of the Council was timely, providing an opportunity for stakeholders in land, water and air transportation to harmonise policies and develop a sustainable intermodal transportation strategy.
The lawmaker assured that the National Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at building a reliable and efficient transportation network across Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Abdullahi Idi, who represented the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, highlighted progress recorded in Nigeria’s aviation sector under the current administration.
He said efforts had focused on improving aviation safety and security, upgrading infrastructure, supporting local airlines, developing human capacity, strengthening regulatory frameworks and positioning Nigeria as a regional aviation hub.
According to him, Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 per cent in the April 2026 International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Safety Audit.
Idi described the result as a significant milestone and added that the government was reviewing and strengthening Bilateral Air Service Agreements with strategic international partners to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and tourism, attract investment and create jobs.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, also disclosed plans to strengthen the enforcement of traffic laws through technology.
He said the proposed technological systems would help authorities identify vehicles and drivers involved in traffic offences and ensure prompt enforcement of penalties while observing due process.
A representative of Global Foremost Impressions Ltd., Prof. Emmanuel Chijioke Ogbonna, described the integrated transportation model being promoted by the Federal Government as innovative and transformative.
He expressed optimism that effective implementation of the policy would address Nigeria’s transportation challenges and deliver a more efficient, affordable, safe and seamless transport system.
The 19th National Council on Transportation brought together stakeholders from the road, rail, aviation, maritime and related sectors to deliberate on policies and strategies for developing an efficient, integrated and sustainable transportation system.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to greater collaboration, strategic investment and coordinated policy implementation to build a seamless transportation system capable of supporting economic growth, national integration and improved quality of life for Nigerians.