The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr Ibraheem Abdul has asserted that efficient transportation system and infrastructural development in Nigeria are bedrock to the nation’s economic prosperity.
He made the assertion at the third edition of TPL Dr. Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni’s Annual Lecture Series, themed: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Socio-economic Potentials through Improved Sustainable Transportation and Infrastructure Development” held at the college Yusuf Grillo Auditorium.
The Rector emphasized the critical role of transportation and infrastructure in Nigeria’s economic prosperity as the significance of an efficient transportation system for economic growth.
He highlighted the prevalent challenges within Nigeria’s transportation sector and stressed the urgent need for comprehensive reforms; urging that the country should in earnest desire for Nigeria a more functional transportation system.
Dr. Abdul hinted that his administration will give birth to series of lectures in which topical relevant issues will be thoroughly discussed in the pursuit of excellence in all spheres of Nigeria’s endeavors.
The Chairman of the Lecture, who is also the 16th President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Bar. Samuel Agbeluyi, in his opening remarks acknowledged that Nigeria possesses an inadequate network of physical infrastructure, including roads, railways, power facilities, and telecommunication systems among others.
He said that social infrastructure such as education, water supply and healthcare are essential for enhancing the overall welfare of the citizens are inadequate while a sizable number of the existing infrastructures are in deteriorating state, requiring urgent repair, rehabilitation, or replacement.
According to him, “as we delve into discussions surrounding this pertinent topic, it is imperative that we recognize the pivotal role that sustainable transportation and infrastructural development play in unlocking Nigeria’s vast socio-economic potentials”.
The Guest Lecturer, Professor of Geography and Regional Planning, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State, Tpl. Prof. Bamidele Abiona Badejo advocated for professionalism in handling Nigerian transportation system if Nigeria is to Unlock her Socio-economic potentials.
Prof. Badejo suggested that there is need to urgently improve the current situation of the transport modes available in Nigeria, and public enlightenment, public engagement, public education and robust publicity and advocacy should be embarked upon without gatekeeping the experts. He explained further that there is need to develop a strategic framework that will coordinate and integrate all the transport modes and their policies together.
The former Lagos State Commissioner for Transport hinted that since transport is regarded as the engine of growth and development, it is desirable to have in place transport policy that will guide its relationship with the socio-economic development agenda put in place so as to calm the nerves of the schools of thought where necessary and applicable.
The celebrant, Tpl Dr. Abubakar Mobolaji Olaseni in his appreciation address affirmed the guest lecturer position that it is expedient and germane to develop a modern transport system for the success of the economic exploitative motive in Nigeria.
The lecture, he said, has been very insightful and a summary of the entire sphere of the field of transport and transport infrastructure for national socio-economic development with an established fact that without transport a community will be unable to realize its socio-economic potentials.
According to him, “as we navigate the future, both the federal and state governments should generate transport policy for use. The Federal Government draft policy of 2010 and Lagos state government draft transport policy of 2018 should as a matter of priority be concluded and published. This is to develop an adequate, safe, environmentally sound and efficient transport system, in the context of a progressive and competitive economy.
In addition, the new paradigm being introduced by Artificial intelligence should catch our attention in unlocking Nigeria’s socio-economic potentials. Everywhere you turn now, it is AI, AI, AI and the specific areas Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing in the field of urban transport among others are: autonomous vehicles, real time traffic management and ride sharing platforms. Embracing these, will assist to improve sustainable transportation and infrastructure development and hence unlock Nigeria’s socio-economic potentials.
