The Organiser of the 2025 Transport Summit and Chief Executive Officer of JustAlive Communications Limited, Mrs. Pearl Ngwama, has called for urgent, innovative, and sustainable investment in Nigeria’s transport infrastructure to unlock the nation’s economic potential and drive inclusive growth.
Speaking at the inaugural edition of the Transport Summit held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in Lagos, with the theme “Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure: Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” Mrs. Ngwama described transport as the “lifeblood of the economy,” emphasizing its critical role in national development and wealth creation.
She noted that while Nigeria is richly endowed with natural and human resources, those assets can only translate into prosperity when supported by efficient transport systems connecting production hubs to markets.
“From our early education, we learned that transport is the movement of people and goods from Point A to Point B. But in today’s globalized economy, transport achieves much more — it is a catalyst for wealth creation, a vital enabler of growth, and a foundation for national development,” she said.
Citing recent data, Ngwama highlighted the growing contribution of Nigeria’s transport sector, which accounted for 6.53% of GDP in 2024, with significant progress recorded across maritime, aviation, and rail transport. Maritime trade alone reached ₦130.75 trillion in 2024, representing a 91% year-on-year growth, while rail passenger and freight volumes rose notably in early 2025.
Despite these encouraging figures, Ngwama warned against complacency, stressing that Nigeria must move beyond short-term fixes to long-term, sustainable infrastructure planning and execution.
“Our ambition must be to plan, finance, and execute transport systems that are resilient and built to last — systems that can adapt as technology and economies evolve,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, envisioning a modern, multimodal transport network that seamlessly connects roads, railways, airports, and seaports to boost trade, agriculture, and industrialization.
Ngwama also addressed the challenge of youth migration, often referred to as “Japa syndrome,” urging Nigerians to remain committed to rebuilding the nation through innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“Our commitment here today is to salvage, rebuild, and transform our beloved nation. We will not give up,” she affirmed.
She concluded by encouraging participants to ensure the summit produces actionable recommendations and a clear roadmap for policy and investment, saying:“Let us unite — across government, industry, civil society, and the media — to build Nigeria’s transport infrastructure for the future. When transport flows freely, the organs of the economy thrive.”
The 2025 Transport Summit was organized by JustAlive Communications Limited, publishers of JustNet News, and brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia, and development partners to deliberate on innovative strategies for a sustainable transport future in Nigeria.
