FG Inaugurates Committee To Drive Smart National Transport Databank PPP

The Federal Government has inaugurated an implementation committee to oversee the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) component of the Smart National Transport Databank (SNTDB), a digital platform designed to strengthen transport data management and intelligence across Nigeria.

The initiative, championed by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation, was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as part of efforts to establish a centralised, interoperable and real-time transport data system.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, said the project would address longstanding gaps in transport data collection, coordination and accessibility while improving evidence-based planning and investment in the sector.

Adebiyi recalled that the SNTDB was approved at the 12th National Council on Transportation in 2012, with NITT mandated to establish the databank under the supervision of the ministry.

He disclosed that the project had received FEC approval for implementation under a 20-year Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) concession to Asia-Arab Investment Nigeria Limited.

The committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, NITT, Federal Road Safety Corps, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Federal Ministry of Works, Office of the National Security Adviser and the concessionaire, among others.

Its responsibilities include monitoring project milestones and performance, coordinating participating government agencies, addressing implementation challenges and risks, ensuring financial and governance accountability, and submitting periodic progress reports.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of NITT, Dr Bayero Salih Farah, described the SNTDB as a national transport intelligence infrastructure that would support planning, regulation, road safety, security, infrastructure development and evidence-based decision-making.

According to him, the project will include at least 250 solar-powered intelligent gantries fitted with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technologies.

Other components include Traffic Management Centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a Main Data Centre, an Electronic Tagging (E-Tag) ecosystem, database integration, real-time analytics and cybersecurity systems.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to providing the policy and institutional support needed for the successful implementation of the project, while NITT will oversee contract management and safeguard the interests of the Federal Government.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation said the project is expected to provide a secure, functional and nationally integrated transport intelligence system capable of delivering measurable benefits to government, transport operators and the Nigerian public.