Transport

Stakeholders Seek Partnership To Grow Travel Industry

Published

7 years ago

June 12, 2019

It was a gathering of ‘who is who’ in the tourism and transport sectors in Abuja recently, as the Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITP) hosted the second edition of the National Tourism & Transport Summit and Expo. Held at the main hall of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, the two-day event created a platform for stakeholders to brainstorm on the potential and challenges facing the growth of both sectors.
Held under the theme, Tourism and Transportation Inter-dependencies for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, which was dedicated to exploring in details the synergy between tourism and transportation and how best to reap the windfalls from them, got the backing of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, as well as Ministry of Information and Culture.
In his welcome remarks, the President of ITP, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, who was also the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the summit said the National Tourism and Transport Summit and Expo aims at bringing together all players in the tourism and transport industries so that issues hindering the growth of the two sectors can be tackled without sentiments.
“It is essentially meant to provide the platform to deliberate on the complex relationship between transport provision and tourism in boosting the nation’s economy. Furthermore, it is to offer a conducive avenue to experts and policy makers in conjunction with key players and operators in the industry to brainstorm on the interconnectedness between transportation and tourism, a connectivity brought by road, rail, maritime, and air transport services and chart the way forward for both sectors and extension, reposition them in the economic diversification drive of the President Mohammadu Buhari – led administration.”
Declaring the summit open, Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Abubakar commended the organisers for the initiative, which he said has the potential to galvanise the two sectors and related industries to boost the economy of the country.
Mustapha reiterated the commitment of the federal government to massive investment in building the country’s infrastructure and the pursuit of peace and security in order to achieve inclusive socio-economic development of the country.
He said for tourism to thrive, the country needs to be at peace, giving assurance of the federal government resolve to handle the various challenges confronting the country while suing for the support and cooperation of all Nigerians and businesses to move the country forward.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCTA), Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bello noted that the FCTA was proud to host the summit, which he said offered a platform to chart a better way for the two sectors while calling on all the participants to explore critical issues relating to bridging the gap between transport and tourism sectors.
Some of the keynote speakers at the event included the Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as well as Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who were all represented at the event.
At the end of the two-day summit, participants listed Policy summersaults, under utilisation of modern technology, dearth of data and inadequate human and institutional capacity as some of the factors responsible for the drawback in the two sectors. While noting that low-level participation and poor investment of the private sector are also slowing down growth in the sectors, they observed that poor infrastructure development and also lack of synergy between the two sectors, is not helping to spur sustainable growth and development.
Participants, therefore, called for steady government policies, stronger public private partnership to grow both sectors, noting that strong human and institutional capacity and use of modern technology to conduct tourism and transportation activities are key if Nigeria is to witness sustainable growth and development in the two sectors.

Business

ABC Transport Founder Bags Transport, Logistics Award

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Founder of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji, has been honoured with an award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth, development and transformation of Nigeria’s transportation and logistics industry.

The award was presented by the management of City Business News Online during the organisation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration held in Lagos recently.

The event, which attracted leading stakeholders from the maritime, logistics, transportation, energy, banking and capital market sectors, marked a decade of impactful business journalism and industry reporting.

It also served as a platform to recognise institutions and individuals whose contributions have significantly impacted national development and economic growth.

Presenting the award, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, former Corp Marshall of FRSC, President, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) and Keynote Speaker at the 10th Anniversary Lecture held in Lagos recently commended ABC Transport PLC for sustaining innovations.

For more than three decades, Nneji has remained at the forefront of efforts to modernise intercity transportation in Nigeria through the introduction of world-class operational standards, passenger safety initiatives and innovative transport solutions.

As the founder of ABC Transport Plc, he transformed what began as a modest transport enterprise into one of West Africa’s most recognised transportation and logistics brands, adding that the company today operates in more than 100 locations across Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and the Benin Republic, providing passenger transport, logistics and related services.

ABC Transport Plc also made history as the first transport company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a milestone that opened new opportunities for investment in the transport sector and broadened public participation in the company’s growth.

The company currently boasts over 22,000 shareholders.

Beyond transportation services, Nneji has played a significant role in advancing local vehicle assembly and industrial development through TSS Motors, a subsidiary of ABC Transport Plc.

Through its assembly plant in Enugu, the company assembles FORLAND vehicles, TSS trailers and SHACMAN trucks, contributing to local content development, job creation and Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing aspirations.

Industry stakeholders have often credited Nneji with pioneering innovations that elevated standards in the transport sector, particularly in areas of fleet management, passenger comfort, safety compliance and professional service delivery.

A graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nneji has continued to enhance his leadership and management capabilities through executive education programmes, including the Chief Executive Programme at the Lagos Business School and advanced executive training at the Wharton Business School.

His contributions to transportation and logistics have earned him several professional and national recognitions. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and has served in various leadership positions, including former President of the Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

The award, according to the organisers, is a testament to Nneji’s enduring legacy as a pioneer, industry leader and nation-builder whose contributions continue to shape the future of transportation and logistics in Nigeria and West Africa.

Business

FAAN Gives Deadline for Vehicle Standards, Tariff for Airport Taxis

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has given October 2026 deadline for taxis operating at the Lagos and Abuja airports to abide by its directives of complying with operational standard and the increase of tariff from N500 to N1,500.

A statement from FAAN’s management explained that as an organisation committed to delivering safe, secure, efficient, and world-class airport services, FAAN considers it necessary to provide clarification on the issues raised and to reassure the travelling public that every action being taken is aimed at enhancing passenger experience and maintaining acceptable service standards at the airports.

“Airports are the gateways to any nation and often provide the first and last impression of a country’s image. Consequently, FAAN has a responsibility not only to ensure safety and security but also to uphold service quality across all touch-points that passengers encounter, including airport transportation services.

“So, the directive requiring airport cab operators to upgrade to newer vehicle models is informed by the need to improve reliability, comfort, safety, and overall passenger satisfaction. This is consistent with international best practices and aligns with FAAN’s ongoing efforts to elevate service standards across its airports,” the agency said.

It also noted that passengers who utilise airport taxi services deserve clean, roadworthy, comfortable, and professionally maintained vehicles that reflect the premium environment expected of a modern international airport.

“The adjustment from N500 to N1,500 should therefore be viewed within the context of prevailing economic realities and the need to sustain critical airport infrastructure and services. Even with the review, FAAN remains mindful of the challenges faced by operators and has continued to engage stakeholders constructively,” the agency said.

Transport

Automated Points Concession : FAAN Workers Gave 72hrs To Revise Decisions In PH

Published

5 months ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The trapatriate Unions conprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (ATSSSAN), has given 72 hours Ultimatum to Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Omagwa Airport, Portharcourt to revise its recent decision on the concession of Tollgates and Parks to private hands.

The chairman of the Trapatriate Union, Comrade Felix Ohwoefe gave the Ultimatum yesterday immediately after the joint Unions meeting held at the Airport office of the union, Omagwa, Portharcourt.

Comrade Ohwoefe who double as the chairman of the National Union of NUATE said the two Unions have agreed to take drastic actions if the Authority of the Airport declined to step down it’s decision of concessioning the major revenue points to private hands.

According to the Union chairman, the two union was not aware of the concession plans, and that there were no due process to the procedures.

Comrade Ohwoefe said any attempt for the Airport Management to decline it’s demands towards the concession will result to barricading all entrance and access points of the Airport.

Expressing the the challenges associated to the concession, the Union Chairman said the gesture might resulted to massive sack of workers in the Airport.

The chairman also expressed foul play on the part of either individuals or government in the terms and conditions so given to the concessionaires, demanding the reasons of contracting the automated points to private hands for only 14 millions, when the FAAN is presently generating over 28 million naira monthly, even when the tariff was not reviewed upwards.

He describes the process to the procedures as fraud with intention to increase unemployment in the state.

“We are not against the concession of the Automated points, but due process must be followed. If government is concessioning the place, we are asking what will happen to our workers in the existing units.

“Secondly, if the concessionaires is taken over, they must pay higher than what the FAAN is generating presently, we are generating to the Management over 28 Millions monthly, but we had that the private company is required to pay only 14 Millions monthly, which is far below 5 percents of what we are generating presently, even when the tariff is increased, which means there is a foul play.

“The process is fraud either on the part of individual in the Government, or Government itself.

” The unions is saying no to the Concession until we come to a terms of understanding ourselves., we are afraid of loosing workers, we don’t want to loose any workers if due process is not followed in this hard of economy, we even demanding for employment of more workers in FAAN.” Comrade Ohwoefe said.

The Union used the opportunity to called on the minister of aviation, and the President of the Country, Bola Tinubu to intervene.

When contacting the Management of the Airport Authority through the head of Corporate Affairs, Dr Ngozi V. Onyeanwuna-Nwosu, she said the management has not given her the approval to say something.