The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Nigeria, has urged the federal and state governments to digitise road transport operations, integrate transport modes and prioritise agricultural logistics across Nigeria’s regions.

The institute said these measures would reduce operating costs, improve efficiency and accelerate economic growth, while helping address longstanding challenges affecting Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector and support broader national development.

The call is contained in a communiqué on Friday after its 2026 National Conference and Annual General Meeting, held in Abuja from October 21 to October 23, to discuss sector-wide reform priorities.

The conference was themed “Transforming Nigeria’s Transport and Logistics Systems for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Infrastructure” and examined key issues affecting the country’s transport and logistics development and future policy priorities.

It brought together policymakers, government officials, industry operators, academics, researchers and transport professionals to examine challenges and opportunities in the sector and discuss practical solutions for sustainable development efforts.

The communiqué, signed by the institute’s president and chairman of council, Boboye Oyeyemi, identified high logistics costs, infrastructure deficiencies, congestion, fragmented operations and inadequate intermodal connections as constraints.

It urged governments and relevant agencies to strengthen the registration of transport operators, vehicles, and drivers and to promote digital ticketing, booking, and dispatch systems to improve accountability, passenger convenience, safety, and efficiency.

The institute called for effective implementation of Nigeria’s National Transport Policy through clear institutional responsibilities, measurable targets, adequate funding and monitoring mechanisms, emphasising stronger coordination among the three tiers of government.

It recommended a national transport data bank to improve planning, investment decisions, safety management and performance monitoring, while urging agencies and operators to adopt interoperable digital systems with data protection safeguards.

On agricultural logistics, CILT Nigeria urged governments to prioritise rural access roads, storage facilities, aggregation centres and cold-chain infrastructure to address supply-chain challenges and reduce post-harvest losses nationwide in rural communities.

It recommended public-private partnerships to finance agricultural logistics infrastructure. It proposed Project AgroLoad, involving solar-powered electric cargo tricycles and cooperative distribution models, as a pilot subject to feasibility studies and evaluation.

The conference advocated stronger connections among seaports, rail terminals, inland waterways, roads, logistics parks and inland dry ports to improve cargo movement and reduce pressure on the national road network nationwide.

It called for port modernisation, paperless operations, coordinated cargo-clearance processes and transparent digital truck call-up systems, while encouraging rail and inland waterways for suitable bulk and long-distance cargo transportation where appropriate.

On sustainable infrastructure, the institute urged governments to incorporate lifecycle costing, maintenance planning, climate resilience, safety and environmental considerations into procurement, in line with provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

It also recommended cleaner transport options, including compressed natural gas, electric vehicles and renewable energy, alongside solar-powered microgrids and battery storage for suitable transport and charging facilities, subject to technical assessments.

The conference emphasised human capital development, professional excellence, and institutional capacity, recommending structured leadership training, mentoring, and continuous professional development for workers across Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector.

It advocated adopting the proposed RAPID Architecture framework and strengthening initiatives such as Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) and the Next Generation platform to promote professional growth and leadership opportunities.

The institute called for an implementation framework that identifies responsible institutions, sets realistic timelines, establishes measurable performance indicators, and includes periodic progress reviews to ensure effective delivery of the conference recommendations nationwide.

It reaffirmed its commitment to research, policy engagement, professional standards, and collaboration to build a safer, more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable transport system that supports Nigeria’s economic development and shared prosperity nationally.

“Transforming Nigeria’s transport and logistics systems requires sustained commitment, institutional coordination, reliable data, investment in infrastructure, professional competence and effective implementation,” the communiqué stated, calling for sustained action across the sector.

(NAN)