The theme of World Sustainable Transport Day 2025 (November 26) – “Enhancing intermodal transport connectivity, promoting environmentally friendly transportation, and developing socially inclusive transport infrastructure” – is highly relevant to Nigeria. The country faces fragmented networks, over-dependence on road transport, urban congestion, and exclusion of vulnerable groups. According to SDG Knowledge Hub, “Sustainable transport is a cross-cutting accelerator that can fast-track progress towards other SDGs, including eradicating poverty, empowering women, and reducing inequality.”

In view of the foregoing, there is need for Nigeria to move beyond symbolic observance of the event. And, to accomplish this, Nigeria must adopt cutting-edge, evidence-based methods that integrate infrastructure development with digital innovation, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.

This could best be done by intentionally embracing the following and more:

1. Intermodal Connectivity Through Digital Integration.

Nigeria’s transport sector suffers from institutional fragmentation and poor modal linkages. Policy makers must prioritise intermodal integration frameworks that align investments in road, rail, air, and waterways under a unified policy agenda.

Digital platforms: A nationwide Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) model could integrate ticketing and scheduling across centrally planned bus travel systems like BRT, rail lines, and ferries. Lagos’ e-ticketing on the BRT is a starting point, but federal leadership is required to scale this into a national intermodal ticketing policy.

Hard infrastructure alignment: Projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna railway and the Lagos Blue Line highlight the need for last-mile connectivity. Federal and state ministries must adopt corridor-based planning, ensuring bus terminals, rail stations, and ferry jetties are physically and digitally linked.

2. Mainstreaming Green Mobility and Logistics.

The environmental sustainability pillar necessitates a decisive shift from fossil fuel dependency toward clean mobility solutions.

E-mobility: Nigeria’s pilot projects, such as Lagos’ electric bus deployment in partnership with Oando Clean Energy, should be scaled through fiscal incentives, concessional financing, and regulatory support for local EV assembly. Federal policy makers could adopt a National EV Transition Plan, with clear targets for public transport electrification.

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