Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, has called on students of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to take a leading role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s transportation sector. The charge came during the NITT’s 2024 Management Retreat, themed “Realigning NITT’s Vision with Performance Management System (PMS) and the Dynamics of the Transport Industry.”
Addressing participants in Kaduna, the Minister emphasized the pivotal role of the institute in achieving national transportation goals and advancing innovation in sustainable mobility.
CNG Conversion Centres to Be Established Nationwide
As part of Nigeria’s push towards cleaner, cost-effective energy solutions, Senator Alkali directed the immediate establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This initiative supports the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), which aims to reduce the nation’s dependence on petrol following the removal of fuel subsidies earlier this year.
The conversion centres will serve as hubs for both vehicle retrofitting and training, equipping the workforce with the necessary technical skills to support Nigeria’s energy transition.
“NITT must be at the forefront of this transformation not just as a research and training institution, but as an active driver of policy, technology adoption, and entrepreneurship,” the Minister stated.
Innovation and Performance as Strategic Priorities
The retreat emphasized the integration of a Performance Management System (PMS) across NITT’s operations. Senator Alkali highlighted that adopting PMS will foster a culture of efficiency, accountability, and service delivery, positioning NITT as a model institution in public sector reform.
He also urged students and faculty to focus on emerging transport technologies such as electric vehicles, autonomous systems, intelligent transport systems (ITS), and green logistics stressing the need to align with global best practices.
Transport Sector at a Crossroads
With the cost of petrol having tripled since the end of fuel subsidies, the federal government is intensifying efforts to offer alternatives such as CNG. The PCNGi has already overseen the conversion of over 100,000 vehicles, with a national target of 1 million conversions within three years. However, the success of this ambitious program depends heavily on infrastructure, public buy-in, and institutional support.
NITT is expected to play a key role in these efforts, not only through its technical capabilities but also by cultivating a new generation of transport professionals and innovators.
A Call to Action for Future Leaders
In his remarks to students, the Minister challenged them to rise beyond academic excellence and become job creators, policy shapers, and agents of transformation in the transport industry.
“You are not just here to graduateyou are here to transform Nigeria. Whether it’s in clean energy mobility, transport logistics, or infrastructure development, the future starts with you,” he said.
Looking Ahead
The retreat concluded with a renewed commitment from NITT leadership to align the institute’s vision with national development goals. As Nigeria faces significant transport and energy challenges, institutions like NITT are expected to provide not only technical solutions but also leadership and innovation.
