Nigeria’s logistics and transport professionals gathered in Lagos for the 2025 National Conference and Induction Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), where discussions centered on building a sustainable blue economy through innovation and supply chain efficiency.
Reimagining the Supply Chain
CILT Nigeria’s President, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, reminded participants that the nation’s economic future depends on more than just maritime development.
“Our focus extends beyond the blue economy—it encompasses the entire logistics and transport network that fuels industrialisation and drives the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.
She noted that CILT’s mission is rooted in strengthening every link of Nigeria’s supply chain, from education to implementation. Since its establishment in 1958, the Institute has trained logistics professionals whose qualifications meet international standards.
According to her, Nigeria now serves as a regional hub for CILT International’s advanced diploma programmes in logistics and transport management.
Usoro stressed that better logistics translate to better living conditions.
“The prices of goods drop when supply chains move freely—when machinery clears ports faster and transport costs stay low,” she added, urging the 365 new inductees to “lead with innovation and confidence.”
Logistics as the Pulse of Global Growth
CILT International’s Global President, Teete Owusu-Nortey, underscored logistics as an enduring pillar of global development.
“From the First World War till today, logistics remains indispensable. It connects industries, communities, and economies everywhere,” he explained.
He described CILT’s worldwide network—spanning over 100 countries—as a platform for knowledge exchange through conferences and digital learning.
Owusu-Nortey referenced the Institute’s recent international convention in Sri Lanka, where delegates from 50 countries discussed new ideas shaping the future of global transport and logistics.
Professional Standards and National Development
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Adebowale Adedokun, who was inducted as a Fellow of CILT, emphasized that logistics and transport are vital to national infrastructure.
“No nation can achieve efficient service delivery without an effective transport and logistics backbone,” he stated.
He commended CILT for setting professional benchmarks through certification and regulation, saying the Institute had filled a long-standing gap in Nigeria’s logistics and transport management.
Building Resilience in a Changing Climate
Delivering a technical paper titled “Investing in Climate-Resilient Transport,” former Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Emem Iniobong, explored the complex relationship between development and sustainability.
“The growth of the blue economy will bring more fishing, tourism, and waterfront projects—but it must not come at the cost of environmental stability,” he cautioned.
He explained that policy decisions in infrastructure are often shaped by a tug of war between political motivations and data-driven insights. Iniobong also warned that importing climate-resilient technologies from developed nations without adapting them to local realities could stifle homegrown expertise and innovation.
Empowering New Professionals
For many inductees, the ceremony marked a new professional milestone.
Irene Osobotie, a graduate of the CILT Advanced Diploma, described the recognition as empowering:
“It’s not just about the certificate—it has improved how I manage relationships and operations at work,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Olayinka Abdulrahman, a logistics and data specialist, shared how the training will help her streamline operations across Nigeria.
“It’s reshaping how I plan routes, manage storage, and cut costs. The difference is already visible,” she remarked.
Driving the Future Forward
The 2025 CILT National Conference reinforced logistics as the silent engine of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Through education, research, and professional excellence, the Institute continues to position the country’s transport sector at the heart of sustainable growth and blue economy innovation.
