Minister urges NITT students to drive Nigeria’s transport evolution

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, has described the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, as the country’s hub for transport innovation and a critical driver of Nigeria’s transition towards a sustainable and efficient transport sector.

Speaking through Musa Ibrahim, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Alkali made the remarks on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Transportation headquarters in Abuja while receiving students from the 2025 Master’s in Transport and Logistics programme on a field study tour.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the NITT Press and Public Relations Unit, the Minister said NITT remains the Ministry’s “foremost technical arm” and a beacon for research, training, and policy innovation in the transport industry.

“Transportation is the indispensable oxygen in the life of every society.

“But we also recognise the heavy toll it often takes on the environment and public safety. That is why we are pushing reforms for a more sustainable, inclusive, and cleaner transport system”, he said.

He highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at curbing transport-related emissions, improving road safety, and promoting cleaner alternatives across Nigeria’s transport landscape.

“Our strategies range from regulatory reforms and infrastructure upgrades to forging strategic partnerships and encouraging green transport models. Sustainability is no longer a choice — it’s a necessity,” he added.

Addressing the postgraduate students, Ibrahim urged them to take their studies seriously, reminding them that their future roles would directly influence the country’s transport evolution.

“You are from our very own prestigious Institute — the technology wing of the Ministry.

“The future of Nigeria’s transport sector rests on the shoulders of emerging professionals like you. Carry the torch with diligence, discipline, and integrity”, he told the students.

Earlier, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NITT, Dr. Bayero Farah, represented by Dr. Remi Adewumi, Director of the Institute’s Transport School, said the field study was a critical component of the training for the MTL students.

He explained that the Abuja field tour was structured to expose the students to the operational realities of Nigeria’s transport system, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory, where several national transport infrastructure and regulatory bodies are headquartered.

“Classroom knowledge is foundational, but professional transport skills are only sharpened through direct exposure to real-world challenges and infrastructure,” Adewumi noted.

He expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its unwavering support, noting that the visit would help bridge the gap between academic learning and practical transport management.

“Your conduct during this field study will reflect not just on you but also on the integrity and public image of NITT,” he added.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event, including Prof. Usman A. Kibon and Dr. Suzzana Zego, underscored the importance of professionalism and discipline during the exercise, describing the field study as a vital link between theoretical training and practical experience.

Present at the interactive session were several top directors from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, including Engr. Finbar Zirra, Director of Railway Services; Mrs. Faith E. Asogu, Director of Transport Planning and Coordination; Mr. Adaramoye Joseph Oluwale, Director of Finance; and Dr. Vivian Nwosu, Director of Special Duties, among others.

The field study, expected to span multiple transport-related agencies and projects in the FCT, will serve as a hands-on learning experience for the students, who are being groomed to take on strategic roles in the country’s evolving transport sector.

Source: Punch