By Charles Olewezi
Over the years, Nigeria’s transportation sector has suffered from inadequate, scattered, and often unreliable data, forcing policymakers to rely on guesswork rather than empirical evidence. It is therefore in a bid to find a lasting solution to this perennial problem that the Management of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, pursued with vigour, the development of a Smart National Transport Databank (S-NTDB) that will provide the digital backbone for transport intelligence.
Led by its hardworking and visionary Director General/Chief Executive, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, the Institute got the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in May 2026, to commence what can be regarded as a historic project that will change the shape of the transportation sector in Nigeria.
Hence, on Monday June 15, 2026, the journey to this significant milestone began with the signing of the Concession Agreement between NITT on behalf of the Federal Government, and the Asia Arab Investment Nigeria Limited (AAI), for the deployment of Smart National Transport Databank (S-NTDB), for real-time transport information and intelligence gathering.
In the words of the DG/Chief Executive of NITT at the occasion, “Today marks a defining moment in the history of Nigeria’s transportation sector and an important milestone in our collective journey towards building a modern, intelligent, secure, and data-driven transport ecosystem capable of supporting national development, economic growth, and effective governance.
“The Smart National Transport Databank Project is not merely an ICT project; it is a national transport intelligence infrastructure designed to provide Nigeria with a single, integrated, real-time source of transport and mobility data across the country. Through the deployment of intelligent transport technologies, smart e-tags, automated vehicle identification systems, intelligent roadside infrastructure, Traffic Management Centres across the 36 States and the FCT, and a centralized National Transport Data Centre, the Project will transform the way transport information is collected, analyzed, shared, and utilized for national development.
“The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated. Across the world, nations that have achieved sustainable transportation growth, enhanced road safety, improved security, and efficient infrastructure planning have done so on the foundation of reliable data. For too long, Nigeria’s transport data ecosystem has remained fragmented in silos across institutions and jurisdictions, limiting our ability to effectively plan, monitor, regulate, and optimize transportation systems. The Smart National Transport Databank is designed to address this challenge and establish a unified national transport intelligence framework.”
Dr. Farah noted that the journey to the present stage of the project had been difficult, rigorous, but guided by National Transport Policy directives. He said the foundation of the Project was laid in 2012 during the 12th National Council on Transport held in Makurdi, Benue State, where a resolution was adopted directing the establishment of a National Transport Databank. The directive according to Dr. Farih was subsequently reaffirmed by successive National Councils on Transport, underscoring the strategic importance of transport data to national development.
“Several major milestones have been achieved along the way. These include stakeholder engagements, technical validation exercises, successful proof-of-concept demonstrations, extensive due diligence assessments, regulatory reviews that led to the issuance of Outline Business Case and Full Business Case Compliance Certificates by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), These led to Presidential Approval to proceed with the Project, and ultimately, the approval of the Project by the Federal Executive Council,” Farah stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of the occasion Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, former Federal Road Safety Corp Marshall, who also doubles as Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), commended the project, noting that it aligned with the recently approved National Land Transport Policy.
He said it addresses a longstanding challenge of inadequate real-time transport data that has hindered transport planning and development efforts for decades.
”For over 40 years, various transport projects have struggled with the challenge of reliable transport data. This project directly addresses that gap by creating an integrated platform that will collect and harmonize data across all modes of transportation,” Oyeyemi stated.
In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, represented by the Director of Legal Services, Barr. Olusegun Omotola, submitted that the project is a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to build a modern, data-driven, intelligent, and secure transportation system.
According to him, the project reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening the transport sector’s contribution to national development.
”The Smart National Transport Data Bank Project represents our collective commitment to building a modern, data-driven, intelligent, and secure transportation system for Nigeria,” Omotola said.
In a goodwill message at the event, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing leadership in approving the project.
He said, “Tinubu believes in the law. He didn’t cancel the project despite the fact that he met it. This project is a win-win situation. I therefore plead with all the stakeholders to make sure that this project succeeds.”
Also speaking, the Chief Financial Officer and representative of Asia Arab Investment Nigeria Limited, Hisham Radwan emphasised that the initiative would shift transportation governance from a reactive approach to a proactive model driven by real-time intelligence and predictive planning.
The project will commence pilot implementation in Kaduna, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Enugu, Edo, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Borno, States. A total of 250 solar-powered smart gantries will be deployed nationwide. It will also establish Traffic Management Centers across all 36 and the FCT, integrate Smart E-Tags, and build a centralised National Data Centre.
Given the recurrent challenges of project implementation in Nigeria especially of this magnitude, it is hoped that all the stakeholders will recommit themselves to the successful execution of this transformative initiative.
The success of the Smart National Transport Databank Project will therefore require sustained collaboration, transparency, innovation, professionalism, and shared commitment from all stakeholders. This is the only way that the dream and vision of the DG/Chief Executive of NITT and his Management Team, of delivering a project that will stand as a national reference point for transport modernisation and digital transformation in Africa can come to reality.