FG Affirms Transport Sector Concessioning Inevitable, Pledges Balanced Approach

By temitope adebayo

19 December 2025

News

The Federal Government has said concessioning across Nigeria’s transport sector is inevitable, stressing that the process must balance efficiency, investor confidence and labour protection.

Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a symposium organised by the National Coordinating Committee of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

Alkali noted that while concessioning is crucial to improving the sector, its success should not be judged solely by upgraded infrastructure or financial gains.

“Success will be measured by the delivery of efficient and affordable transport services, enhanced investor confidence, industrial harmony and adequate social protection,” the minister said.

He explained that sustainable concessioning must recognise the role of labour, warning that economic viability without labour inclusion is unsustainable, while labour protection without efficiency would make the sector uncompetitive.

According to him, the government is committed to developing economically viable concession frameworks, institutionally sound and socially responsible, to ensure the transport sector drives inclusive growth and national development.

He also assured stakeholders that the ministry would facilitate the implementation of recommendations from the symposium.

Speaking at the event, President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees and Chairman of the ITF-NCC, Nnabue Ben, highlighted the global role of the ITF, noting that it was founded in 1896 to unite transport workers across borders.

Ben said the ITF has grown into a federation representing over 20 million workers in more than 150 countries, remaining committed to workers’ rights, safety, welfare and decent working conditions despite global industry changes.

He added that the ITF continues to lead campaigns against exploitation and unsafe practices, while promoting gender equality, youth empowerment and the future of transport work. In Nigeria, he said the federation works closely with unions through the ITF-NCC to strengthen solidarity and ensure transport workers have a strong voice in policy decisions.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Charles Anosike, emphasised the need to integrate weather forecasting into multimodal transport planning.

Anosike said climate variability and extreme weather events directly affect the safety, efficiency and reliability of transportation, making weather integration a necessity rather than an option.

“At NiMet, we are committed to supporting safer and more reliable multimodal transportation and urge all stakeholders to collaborate with us in building resilient supply chains,” he said.

The symposium brought together key stakeholders to discuss the future of Nigeria’s transport sector amid ongoing reforms.