The Nigerian government is actively engaging industry stakeholders in anticipation of the imminent launch of its ambitious Smart National Transport Databank initiative. Positioned as Africa’s inaugural online, real-time, nation-wide comprehensive transport database, the initiative is designed to enhance policy formulation and ensure the transport sector meets the demands of both the population and the economy.
Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, the Minister of Transport, underscored the significance of this initiative during his keynote presentation at the opening session in Abuja. He emphasised that the databank would serve as a central repository for all transportation data, facilitating informed decision-making through comprehensive, real-time information.
The Minister highlighted the importance of this development in advancing the country’s transport landscape. He stated, “This will support improved policy formulation and strategic planning, enabling the transport sector to better meet the needs of Nigeria’s growing population and rapidly expanding economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”
Additionally, Senator Alkali outlined how the Smart National Transport Databank would enhance efficiency and collaboration across various modes of transport, leading to cost savings, improved service delivery, and elevated safety standards.
Incorporating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence, the databank is poised to offer dynamic insights into traffic patterns, logistical bottlenecks, and infrastructure requirements, ultimately enhancing the overall productivity of the transportation system.
Moreover, the Minister emphasised the economic stimulus potential of the databank, noting that it would provide critical data for investors and businesses in the transport industry. This, in turn, would encourage more informed investments and cultivate a competitive, robust economic environment.
In a call to action, the federal government urged all relevant agencies within the transport sector to collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) by consistently supplying necessary data for storage, processing, and dissemination. This collaborative effort is deemed essential for the success of the Smart National Transport Data Bank project.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the enthusiastic response to the initiative, evident in the strong turnout of high-caliber participants, stakeholders, and resource persons at the forum. He highlighted the crucial role of the collaboration of relevant agencies in making the databank a cornerstone of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure.
Concluding his address, Senator Alkali emphasised that the Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum marked the beginning of this transformative project. As the Smart National Transport Databank takes shape, Nigeria aims to emerge as a leader in transport data management in Africa, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
