Category: Business Day

Samuel Maduka Onyishi was born in November 1963 in Nsukka, Enugu State, into modest beginnings. He is ethnically Igbo and the first of many children. His father worked as a bricklayer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, but passed away early in Samuel’s life, forcing him into responsibility at a young age.

School was never easy. After his father’s death, financial hardship disrupted his education. He once had just a single pair of uniforms and would wash it midweek, wear it until it faded, and skip assembly when it was too dirty. He did odd jobs, including labouring on construction sites, painting, carpentry, and working as a bus conductor, just to make ends meet.

In one turning moment, the family received a token payment of ?1,200 as part of a community share when the University of Nigeria compensated host communities. His mother handed it over to Samuel, trusting him with this seed capital. With that, he ventured into trading, buying secondhand clothes from markets in Onitsha and Aba, and traveling overnight by buses to move stocks. He eventually saved about ?12,000 to move to Kano, where he expanded his trading.

Despite ongoing challenges, Samuel clung to schooling. In 1993, he enrolled in a Diploma program at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. By 1996 he proceeded to complete a degree in Social Work and Community Development, graduating with Second Class Upper. He later earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship through the Institute for Transformative Thought and Learning, affiliated with the University of Arizona, Phoenix.

While still a student in 1994, Samuel launched Peace Mass Transit (PMT) with just two buses. He built steadily, reinvesting profits, stretching resources, and navigating Nigeria’s difficult transport ecosystem. Over time, PMT scaled to a fleet of thousands of buses, serving numerous routes across the country.

His vision did not stop at transport. Several subsidiaries now form part of the Peace Group of Companies, including Peace Petroleum, insurance, microfinance, printing, and logistics. In 2021, PMT acquired a controlling stake of 55.82 percent in CandI Leasing, adding financial services to his portfolio.

In 2020, he embarked on another dream by establishing Maduka University in Agu Ekwegbe, Enugu State. The foundation was laid in early 2020, and by June 2023, the university had secured NUC licensing and opened its doors to students. His aim is to make the institution not just about academics but entrepreneurship, teaching every student to be self-reliant. ‘Every graduate of Maduka University must leave with both a degree and a skill,’ he said at the launch, underlining his vision for a practical education system.

His reputation is tied to integrity. In one widely reported episode, he returned ?2.2 billion mistakenly credited to his First Bank account. Explaining why, he said, ‘I was not sure the money was meant for me. Keeping it would have been stealing.’

Among his staff, faith is visible. At PMT headquarters, a daily noon prayer session is observed, with all staff expected to gather. He believes that businesses grounded in integrity and spirituality can withstand storms.

Samuel also holds board positions beyond his businesses. He is a Non-Executive Director at May and Baker Nigeria PLC and has been honoured with national awards, including the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), recognising his business achievements and service.

Samuel moved from carrying fares as a bus conductor, painting and trading secondhand clothes, to building a transport empire and a university.

For more than 15 years, Bunmi Bashiru has worked in the global energy industry. As a Project Engineer at Schneider Electric, she leads efforts that promote sustainability in industries. Her work reflects her belief that the future of energy must balance human needs and environmental responsibility.

Bashiru was born to a father who worked as an HVAC technician without formal education and a mother who sold food by the roadside. Despite limited resources, she pursued her goal of becoming an engineer. In a class of more than 100 students, with only 20 women, she graduated in the top 10 percent. This set the stage for a career that has included downstream oil and gas distribution, upstream production, and now sustainability.

Her move into the sustainable energy sector coincided with global discussions about energy production and environmental concerns. Motivated by curiosity and a desire to address energy challenges, she began focusing on producing energy that serves markets without harming the environment.

Her career was shaped by personal loss when she lost her father while completing her Master’s degree. The event caused significant disruption during her project presentation week, but she continued her studies to honour his memory.

Bashiru has contributed to organisational change through her leadership. One career highlight came when she led a cross-functional team during a three-day sprint to secure the OML 102 bid. Her coordination and planning helped her company move from oil servicing to oil production, altering its business trajectory.

Her colleagues note that she creates an environment where team members feel valued. She has often explained that leadership, for her, is about combining individual strengths to reach collective goals.

Bashiru also explores technology and its potential role in energy. She believes artificial intelligence will influence sustainable growth and looks for ways to apply it to energy solutions.

One of her goals is to design an offshore drilling method that extracts fossil fuels without damaging marine ecosystems. She has described this as part of addressing the global challenge of meeting energy demand, protecting the environment, and sustaining economic development.

Beyond her professional work, Bashiru runs a foundation that provides tuition support for children of widows and single mothers. Through this initiative, she aims to make education more accessible, recognising that opportunity, rather than ability, is often the barrier to success.

She has been recognised by peers and mentors in the industry. One of the compliments she values most is that she creates spaces where people feel heard.

Looking ahead, Bashiru sees herself in a director-level role within the next five years, shaping sustainability strategies that influence industries worldwide. She has said that her long-term goal is to fulfil her talents and opportunities fully, leaving nothing unused.

Leading digital wealth management platform, Zedcrest Wealth, has launched its most ambitious initiative yet – the ‘Make Accounts Great Again’ campaign. This three-month initiative reimagines how Nigerians save and invest in a high-inflation economy and is designed to make investing more rewarding, relevant, and accessible for everyone.

With the country’s inflation rate hovering around 20.33% and food costs contributing to over 40.1% of that figure, the ‘Make Accounts Great Again’ campaign arrives at a critical moment. Rather than offering traditional investment solutions alone, Zedcrest Wealth has developed a financial ecosystem that grows wealth and gives users practical, real-life benefits, simultaneously.

The campaign introduces a blend of high-yield investment options and lifestyle rewards through strategic partnerships, bringing a fresh approach to wealth management in 2025 and beyond.

Core Benefits of the Campaign

Through the ‘Make Accounts Great Again’ campaign, Zedcrest Wealth offers the following perks:

Meal Rewards for Smart Investing: Through a partnership with Chowdeck, new users receive a meal voucher to enjoy Double Chickwhizz for ?1,500 after they sign up and verify their BVN.

Free Premium Entertainment: Zedcrest Wealth has partnered with Circuits – a virtual cinema and digital streaming platform. Users earn zedcoins for every action taken on the Zedcrest wealth app, and these zedcoins can be exchanged for Circuits vouchers in the Gift Shop. Circuits feature premium African storytelling, movies, series, comedy specials, and curated digital experiences.

‘Telling people to invest for the future while inflation erodes their present purchasing power is an outdated model,’ said Adetayo Jinadu, Head of Marketing, Zedcrest Wealth. ‘We envision a future where every Nigerian feels empowered and rewarded for their smart financial decisions. Therefore, we are pioneering a model where your money works twice as hard to generate competitive yields for tomorrow, while also delivering immediate value and rewards for today. This is why we are ‘Making Accounts Great Again.”

How Zedcrest Wealth Is Making Accounts Great Again

Zedcrest Wealth eliminates the friction that keeps Nigerians out of wealth-building opportunities. They offer the following:

1. Higher Returns that Beat Inflation: Zedcrest Wealth consistently offers the highest yields in the market across its product lineup. Therefore, users can earn more from their savings and investments. The Zedcrest Money Market Fund outperforms the national average, helping investors grow wealth in real terms.

2. No Hidden Charges or Withdrawal Penalties: Unlike other platforms that impose delays or penalize early withdrawals from users’ capital, Zedcrest Wealth ensures full liquidity and transparency without compromise. Investors can access their funds instantly and anytime, without incurring penalties on their capital.

3. Real-Life Rewards for Investing: Zedcrest Wealth rewards users with tangible benefits for taking simple financial actions. Through strategic partnerships with Uber, Chowdeck, and now, Circuits, users can save on the things they are already spending money on, such as food, transportation, and entertainment.

4. Access a wide range of investment options: With a range of accessible investment products, individuals can choose the investment paths that best align with their financial goals, risk appetite, and long-term strategies. Whether seeking steady growth, high returns, or something in between, they can build a complete, diversified portfolio with Zedcrest Wealth.

5. Investing is Simple, Fun, and Rewarding: When people understand money, they make better decisions, and better decisions build wealth. The Zedcrest Wealth app provides built-in financial literacy content, goal-based investing, and personalized recommendations and insights. Through gamified features, users also earn rewards for every action taken on the app.

Join the Movement – Go Make Accounts Great Again

Take advantage of these offers and start building wealth on your terms. Download the Zedcrest Wealth app today on Google Play Store or the App Store, open an account, and start investing with benefits that go beyond just returns.

About Zedcrest Wealth

Zedcrest Wealth is a leading digital wealth management platform offering a range of investment products, including Money Market Funds, Treasury Bills, Corporate investments, and other fixed-income securities, designed to help customers build wealth efficiently.

Known for its commitment to transparency, trust, and growth, Zedcrest Wealth continues to set the standard for financial products that are as dynamic as the individuals and businesses they serve. Zedcrest Wealth is a subsidiary of the leading financial powerhouse, Zedcrest Group.

Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has called on Nigerians to unite and take collective responsibility in addressing insurgency and insecurity, warning that military operations alone cannot bring an end to the Boko Haram crisis.

Musa appealed on Friday during the presentation of ‘SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor, in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the defence chief stressed that only 25 to 30 per cent of the solution to Nigeria’s insurgency problem lies in military action. At the same time, the rest depends on the will of the people to embrace peace, unity, and nationhood.

‘For us as a nation to move forward, we must look at this faithfully, truthfully and clearly in order to find solutions. It is not only a military solution. From my experience, the military solution is just 25 to 30 per cent,’ Musa said.

He cautioned that without love, tolerance, and deliberate efforts at building national cohesion, insecurity will persist.

‘As long as we don’t love ourselves as Nigerians, and we don’t look at ourselves as our brother’s keepers, this will continue.

‘If we want this to end, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. It is not magic; it must be deliberate,’ he added.

Citing Singapore as a model of resilience and transformation, Musa urged Nigerians to consciously commit to building a stronger country.

‘Countries have evolved because they looked at their challenges and resolved to overcome them. Singapore, with all the challenges it had, stood and said: It’s either we stand and die, or we work and develop. They have worked, and they have developed,’ he said.

The CDS described Boko Haram as an asymmetric conflict that differs from conventional warfare, noting that the insurgents often hide within communities.

‘In conventional warfare, you are dealing with states. Asymmetric warfare means the enemy is within. It could be your father, brother or mother. Because you are dealing with ideology, it is not written on the forehead; it is within the mind.

‘You must find solutions to the mindset of those doing these things and also look outward,’ he explained.

He warned that external actors were also fueling instability in Nigeria and Africa at large, stressing the need for Africans to take responsibility for their own security.

‘There are also people from outside who are ready to ensure they continue to succeed and the country continues to fail. We must not allow them to succeed. I am sure, working together, we will continue to win.

‘We as Africans need to face these challenges ourselves without waiting and relying on others to do it for us,’ he said.

Musa also commended Irabor for his enduring contributions to the Nigerian military and his continued efforts in retirement to tackle national security issues.

‘His footprint across our nation’s military is indelible, particularly in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. Even in retirement, he continues to add his quota to solving the security challenges facing us as a country,’ Musa said.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports claiming he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties with Boko Haram, insisting his comments were misrepresented.

In a statement on Saturday by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he ‘never suggested or implied that Buhari had any connection with the terrorist group or supported it in any way.’

The controversy followed Jonathan’s remarks on Friday at the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor. During the event, Jonathan recalled that Boko Haram once nominated Buhari, his successor, to negotiate on their behalf with the federal government. Jonathan, who governed from 2010 to 2015, explained that the insurgents mentioned Buhari’s name after his administration set up committees for peace talks.

However, Garba Shehu, former spokesperson to Buhari, countered Jonathan’s comments, describing them as ‘false and politically motivated.’

Smoke rose above Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers state earlier this month as the scent of roasted plantain and sizzling fish filled the air.

Thousands of people gathered September 6-7 for the annual Bole Festival, a two-day celebration of Port Harcourt’s beloved street food.

This year, Maggi, the seasoning brand long associated with Nigerian kitchens, stepped out of the home and into the heart of youth culture. Its partnership with the festival, themed ‘Bolefication,’ underscored a shift in how the brand wants to be seen, not just as a pantry staple but as part of the street food and cultural scene.

The event lived up to its theme. ‘Bolefication’ was less a tagline and more the collective energy of the weekend; music, fashion, food and togetherness. DJs kept the crowd moving while creators and influencers documented the smoky grills, long queues, and laughter shared between friends and strangers alike.

‘Day one was such a vibe,’ said Jane Derry, a content creator who was at the Maggi arena at the festival. ‘They brought in a chef who showed us how to take bole to the next level, perfectly grilled plantain with roasted fish, ugba, otazi leaves, fresh pepper and that signature sauce.’

Reinventing tradition: The newspaper wrap

One of Maggi’s most talked about contributions was a playful reinvention of the humble newspaper wrap that traditionally accompanies bole on the streets. Instead of recycled print, each serving came in a Maggi-designed cultural newspaper filled with witty headlines, flavour hacks, and bite-sized bole recipes.

The retro-style paper transformed an everyday detail into a festival keepsake. For many young attendees, it turned the act of eating into an experience, sparking conversations as they read quirky commentary while enjoying their food.

Fashion meets flavour: The merch drop

The collaboration also spilled into fashion with a limited Maggi x Bole Fest merch drop. Styled like a streetwear release, the tote bags and T-shirts quickly became a symbol of belonging. Fans and influencers wore them proudly across the grounds, turning Maggi into more than a seasoning brand; it became part of youth identity and style.

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Stories in smoke and flavour

The festival also became a stage for storytelling. Select influencers created content that captured the raw textures of the event; the fire, the smoke, the communal energy. In those short films, bole was more than food; it was memory, shared ritual, and togetherness, always seasoned with Maggi.

‘It wasn’t just a wrapper, it was a conversation starter,’ said influencer Esther Samuel, known as Miss_hotspots. ‘Maggi didn’t just season the food; they seasoned the whole experience.’

The Maggi Arena

At the heart of the stadium, the Maggi Arena drew crowds with its Flavor Bar, where festival goers customised spice mixes, swapped recipes, and created content together. It became a hub of interaction, reinforcing the idea that Maggi is not just a cube in the kitchen but the seasoning that makes shared experiences richer.

‘The energy at the Bole Festival was incredible,’ said Funmi Osineye, marketing manager for Maggi. ‘At our Maggi Bolefication Zone, we didn’t just share Maggi, we shared joy, culture and connection.’

The verdict: ‘Elite’ vibes

By the festival’s close on September 7, many attendees agreed the partnership had elevated the event. ‘The bole? Delicious. The vibes? Perfect. The energy? Elite,’ said creator Nancy, summing up what many described as a weekend of food, music, and community.

For Maggi, the festival marked an evolution from being seen mainly as a household product to positioning itself as part of Nigeria’s cultural fabric. In Port Harcourt, at least for one smoky, flavour-filled weekend, Maggi wasn’t just in the kitchen. It was on the streets, in the music, and in the moments that people said made them feel Bolefied.

Binta Isma’il’s moved from hawking bread under the sun in Abaji market to owning a thriving shoemaking workshop in the same community, showing what resilience plus targeted support can accomplish. In 2019 she became a beneficiary of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme under the National Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government, she used her first stipend to register her new workspace she enrolled and paid to learn shoemaking she bought machines, leather and other tools she needed to build her trade, she says, ‘I used to hawk bread at Abaji market however since I started collecting this money I used it to register my new place of work’

Her workshop in Abaji, Federal Capital Territory is now more than a business; it is a place where apprentices learn the trade and people earn daily incomes from the work done there.

She recalls days when she carried loaves on her head wet from dew or heat ready before dawn often wondering if life would change.

With the stipend from CCT she made decisions that felt small at first yet turned out to be big she learnt shoemaking she bought a machine she bought materials she persisted when orders were few and when progress was slow she upgraded little by little every pair of shoes sold built confidence every apprentice trained expanded her shop steadily demand came she did not rush she built reputation

Her experience shows what well-targeted programmes can do for persons with little – provide small amounts of capital, enable training, remove certain barriers to entry she advises prospective beneficiaries to use stipends wisely enrol in a trade and invest in needed tools rather than waiting for large sums she says, ‘From the beginning, I enrolled and paid to learn the trade from the initial instalment of the CCT that was paid to me, because at that time, I was hawking at Abaji market’

Today Binta Isma’il’s workshop is busy, the income is more stable, and the apprentices are more confident.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) held its 66th Specialised Induction Ceremony, inducting administrators and HR staff of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) into the Institute.

Themed ‘Raising the Bar of Professional Standards: HR as a Steward of Transformation’, the event highlighted the pivotal role of Human Resource (HR) professionals in driving excellence and sustainable transformation within organisations and society. The ceremony formally inducted six Full Members and seventy-seven Associate Members into the Institute.

In his welcome address, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, charged the new inductees to embrace their roles not just as HR practitioners but as ‘stewards of transformation.’

He stressed that the lapel pins and certificates received symbolised a professional and moral responsibility to remain committed to the highest standards of HR practice.

‘Today, you are crossing from potential to professional,’ Gobir said. ‘HR is not about pushing files; it is about stewarding destinies, igniting purpose, and transforming organisations. The true measure of HR is not in the policies you write, but in the lives you transform.’

He further urged the inductees to prepare for the future of work, citing World Economic Forum projections that 92 million jobs may be displaced by automation by 2030, while 170 million new roles will be created. According to him, HR professionals must take the lead in preparing people and organisations for such transitions.

Delivering the keynote address, Sabastine Okeke, FCIPM, Coordinator of Personnel Affairs at RCCG, spoke extensively on the historical evolution of professional bodies and the critical importance of professional standards. He noted that professional standards serve as the foundation of credibility, quality, and trust, and that higher standards lead to better performance, greater team motivation, and stronger results.

Okeke emphasised that HR professionals are no longer mere custodians of employment but must evolve into ‘stewards of the entire work experience’.

He outlined the essential capabilities of HR leaders in today’s rapidly changing world: business acumen, data literacy, effective communication, and change management expertise, emphasising that only by mastering these can HR professionals truly lead transformation.

‘Raising the bar is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of reflection, recalibration, and re-creation,’ he said. ‘The HR professional of today must not only align organisational culture with business goals but also ensure that technology, ethics, and humanity work together for sustainable impact.’

Also speaking, Vincent Adegborioye, the Chairman of the Conflict Resolution and Mediation Committee, FCIPM, who reechoed the President’s message, stating: ‘When spirituality merges with structure, the result will be outstanding.’

He encouraged inductees to leverage RCCG’s structure while upholding CIPM’s standards to elevate their HR careers.

The new inductees were urged to actively participate in RCCG Chapter and Ogun State Branch activities of the Institute, and to take advantage of the newly launched CIPM HR Leadership Academy to hone their skills.

The President also encouraged them to register and attend the 57th International Conference and Exhibition of the Institute, scheduled for October 27-30, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

With this induction, CIPM reaffirmed its commitment to raising the bar of HR practice in all sectors of the economy. By embedding global best practices, strengthening ethics, and equipping HR professionals with strategic leadership skills, the Institute continues to drive its mandate of professionalising human resource management as a cornerstone for national development.

Five women entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the final stage of the ?20 million Unicorn Project, an initiative by communications agency SoMe Solutions in collaboration with Premier Business Network (PBN).

The competition, launched earlier this year, is aimed at supporting women-led businesses in Nigeria with funding, mentorship, and visibility opportunities. From more than 120 applications received nationwide, the selected finalists represent a range of sectors, including food, fashion, wellness, and agriculture.

The five entrepreneurs are:

Nancy Amaku – Chef Nahnah Foods and Confectionaries Ltd; Aderoju Dasola Elizabeth – Eliz-Bags and Accessories;

Opeyemi Adebisi – Pemnia Wellness;

Kieva Chris-Amusan – Fertitude;

Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy – House of Rheevo Limited

According to the organisers, the finalists were chosen following interviews and assessments of an initial shortlist of 20 entrepreneurs. Those who made the Top 20 have also been admitted into the Unicorn Community, which provides ongoing mentorship, networking, and business support.

Elizabeth Osho, founder of SoMe Solutions, said the project seeks to highlight the resilience and creativity of women in business. ‘It isn’t just about money, it’s about turning potential into lasting impact,’ she noted.

The judging panel includes industry figures such as Peter Gbologe (PBN), Morenike Molehin (Oak and Teak), Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti (Herconomy), Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade (Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy), Emem Ime Okwoche (EMEM Fashion), and Adebolu Ezipke (SoMe Solutions).

In the coming weeks, the finalists will take part in a public engagement phase, where their stories will be shared online for feedback and voting. The results will contribute to the judges’ final decision.

The winner, to be announced later this year, will receive ?500,000 in cash and a ?20 million brand and PR support package.

The project is supported by several sponsors, including Complete Sports Nigeria, PoshClick, JustBrandIt, GetUp Inc., and Brand Communicator.

Sixty-five years after independence and decades of investment in infrastructure, Nigeria’s transport system remains a key barrier to economic growth.

Experts say the sector is approaching collapse, unable to meet the needs of a growing population or support development goals.

Despite allocating billions of naira to roads, railways, airports, and waterways, Nigeria continues to grapple with a fragmented, underperforming network that increases business costs and hampers productivity.

Samuel Odewumi, a former dean of the Faculty of Transportation and Logistics at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), told BusinessDay that transport policy remains reactive and poorly coordinated across all levels of government.

Odewumi said, ‘Nigeria’s population has more than doubled since 1990, but our infrastructure has not kept pace. This gap creates bottlenecks, slows economic activity, and raises logistics costs.’

He warned that without urgent reforms, the system could face long-term breakdown.

Odewumi identified overreliance on roads as a central issue. While a small fraction of Nigerians use air travel, most depend on road transport, much of which is deteriorating.

‘Our roads are not only overused, but misused. Trucks often carry 90 tons on roads designed for 30. That causes rapid damage, and repairs are often ineffective,’ he said.

He noted that seasonal rainfall compounds the problem, eroding road surfaces and worsening infrastructure already under strain.

He also criticised the state of rail transport, pointing out that only a few lines – Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Warri-Itakpe – are functional, and even those operate below capacity.

‘The Warri-Itakpe line has been down for over two months. A single locomotive has served the route for years with limited maintenance. That’s not viable,’ he said.

He expressed concern over Nigeria’s reliance on Chinese loans for rail development, warning that maintenance and repayment are becoming difficult.

He also cited the lack of coordination among federal, state, and local governments as a persistent challenge.

‘Responsibility is often unclear. State and local governments frequently wait for federal action. As a result, many feeder and rural roads are neglected,’ he said.

Odewumi called for stricter freight regulations and a shift toward rail and inland waterways for moving goods. He emphasised the need for a multimodal system that integrates road, rail, air, and water transport and for policies that prioritise efficiency over political optics.

‘We can’t build enough roads to meet demand. Cargo from Lagos to the East should move by rail or sea, not trucks,’ he said.

He noted that transport inefficiencies raise operating costs, discourage investment, and reduce national competitiveness.

Odewumi also criticised the prevalence of tricycles and mini-buses in urban centres, describing them as indicators of underdevelopment.

‘When small vehicles dominate city transport, it reflects poor planning. One train can move thousands. A mini-bus moves a dozen – with greater risk. We must invest in safer, more efficient systems,’ he said.

He argued that sustainable solutions lie in clear policy, effective leadership, and private sector involvement.

‘Transport can be self-financing. Government should focus on creating an environment that supports private investment and long-term planning,’ he said. ‘At 65, Nigeria should not still be struggling with basic transport issues.’

Isa Emoabino, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and former chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers, echoed similar concerns.

He said that despite policy reforms and budgetary allocations, including N256.8 billion in the 2025 federal budget, Nigeria’s transport system remains inadequate.

‘At 65, our transport sector should be enabling growth. Instead, it’s holding us back,’ Emoabino said.

He pointed out that road infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth or economic targets.

‘There’s a significant infrastructure gap, and existing assets are poorly maintained,’ he said.

He also questioned the proposed 5 percent fossil fuel tax for road maintenance, urging transparency and clear application of funds.

‘People will only support taxes when they see how the money is spent. The process must be accountable,’ he said.

He linked poor road conditions to rising insecurity. ‘Most kidnappings and robberies happen on bad roads, where vehicles are forced to slow down,’ he said.

He added that improved infrastructure would lower logistics costs, ease food distribution and help stabilise inflation.

While acknowledging progress in rail development, he said it is still insufficient.

‘From 1960 to 1990, we neglected rail. Everything shifted to roads – and that’s why they deteriorate faster,’ he said.

He called for bulk cargo and petroleum to be moved via pipelines and rail, rather than by trucks.

‘Transporting petroleum by road damages infrastructure and increases risks. We have alternatives but don’t use them effectively,’ he said.

He also urged the government to implement the National Road Fund and Federal Roads Authority laws, already passed but not yet operational.

‘The frameworks are there. What’s missing is action,’ he said.

He linked transport failures to food insecurity, saying many farmers cannot move their produce, leading to waste and higher prices.

‘If transport doesn’t work, food can’t move – and that affects both availability and cost,’ he said.

He called for a national transport strategy focused on sustainable funding, consistent maintenance, and integration across modes.

‘We need less talk and more execution. Fixing transport is key to fixing the economy,’ Emoabino said.

However, Chris Itsede, executive chairman of Polar-Afrique Consulting, said road construction is already contributing to economic activity.

He cited shorter travel times, lower transport costs, and improved access to markets, healthcare, and education as indicators of progress.

‘Road projects are enhancing regional connectivity. Farmers can reach markets faster and reduce post-harvest losses,’ he said.

He noted that construction creates jobs across sectors – for engineers, technicians, and suppliers – and stimulates local economies.

‘Better roads attract investment, support small and medium businesses, and help drive growth,’ Itsede said.

He acknowledged that road infrastructure is expensive but said long-term benefits outweigh the costs.

‘Efficient logistics improve productivity. Roads connect people and goods,’ he said. ‘As Nigeria continues to invest in infrastructure, road development will remain central to inclusive growth.’

Still, many experts agree that roads alone cannot deliver the impact needed.

Roads account for more than 90 percent of internal cargo transport, yet many are in poor condition. Rail services remain limited, and inland waterways are underused.

Without coordinated reforms and integrated planning, Nigeria’s transport system may not only fail to support growth – it could actively hinder it.