By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has stressed the critical role of visionary and consistent policy-making in building sustainable transportation systems.
Drawing lessons from countries like Singapore, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen, he noted that the nations did not achieve efficient transport networks overnight but succeeded through decades of deliberate planning, investment, and policy implementation.
Sanwo-Olu’s, who was represented by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr Abimbola Akinajo, at the second edition of the Global Transport Policy (GTP) Intermodal Transport System Annual Roundtable held at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on the theme, “Sustainable Transport Systems: Global Best Practices and Lessons for Nigeria,” while highlighting global examples cited Copenhagen’s cycling-first culture, supported by infrastructure and safety measures, and Singapore’s use of integrated land-use planning and technology to optimise urban movement. In Amsterdam, he noted, multimodal transport, including ferries, bicycles, trams, and electric buses, is already a way of life.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that Lagos is taking the global lessons seriously, saying, “Through LAMATA, the state is implementing a multimodal blueprint aimed at integrating roads, rail, ferries, and walkways into a unified transport system.”
He underlined the importance of continuity in infrastructure planning, urging that transport projects be insulated from politics and should remain consistent beyond electoral cycles.
Chairman of Global Transport Policy, Dr. Oluwasegun Musa, reinforced this point, urging the Federal Government to adopt a deliberate political framework to address the sector’s myriad challenges. He highlighted the importance of robust dialogue and policy synergy to attract investment and identify areas of need.
According to Musa, Nigeria must invest about $3 billion annually in transportation infrastructure to meet growing demands.
He warned that without a clear policy direction, investors may struggle to identify viable opportunities. “If there is no synergy between state and non-state actors, we won’t be able to develop policies that reflect industry needs,” he said.
Managing Director of Trucks Transit Parks Limited, Jama Onwubuariri, one of the discussants also emphasized the need for holistic policies that close existing gaps and support private sector participation. He stressed that investor-friendly regulations are essential for encouraging sustainable growth in the transport sector.
Experts in land, sea and rail transport, which included Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore and Captain Giorgio Enrico Del Celo, participated in the event, which featured three roundtable discussions. Edodo-Emore and Enrico Del Celo shared insights on best practices Nigeria could adopt to build a resilient and inclusive transport system.