By Frank Kintum
The Transport and Logistics sector of any economy cannot be taken for granted because it is the bedrock on which all other economies stand on.
Without Transportation and Logistics, it is difficult to imagine which other sector of the economy can survive, because aside assisting all other sectors to thrive and provide uncountable employment opportunities, it also plays an important role in facilitating and attracting foreign investments.
Available statistics indicate that while the contribution of transport activities in Nigeria to Nominal GDP in Q2 2022 was 2.79 percent, it was greater than the 1.60 percent contribution in the first quarter of 2022 and up from the 2.09 percent reported in the same period of 2021.
Aside infrastructure, human resource remains cardinal in developing a robust transport sector, and by extension, the economy. Just as continues research and evaluation is key in sustaining the sector, the significance of a manpower and research institute cannot be underplayed. Hence, an establishment like the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, is key to the Nigerian economy.
The institute situated at the serene city of Zaria, with outlets in different parts of the country, offers both scheduled and customized programmes in areas such as Management, Planning, Operations, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, ICT & Transport Technology, among others.
NITT is made up of different directorates such as Training, Transport Technology Centre, Consultancy Services, Transport Research & Intelligence, Library & Information Services and Transport School, as well as other supporting units.
The institute is equipped with quality facilities conducive for learning and research such as relevant transport laboratories and hostels for students and staff quarters.
With a well-equipped auditorium, NIIT also has other facilities like a medical centre, fire service station, and a Transport Technology Centre fitted with welding and fabrication lab, mechatronics workshop, wind turbine, auto body shop, laser cutting machine etc.
Also available are driving simulators for cars and trucks, a data bank, civil and highway engineering lab, energy and environment engineering lab among others.
An Assistant Director in the Transport Technology Centre (TCC), Engr. Nduka Kanyine told Transport Day during a tour of the facility that the centre has trained a lot of people who are currently contributing their quota to the Nigerian economy.
Aside the manpower development programmes for the working class in both the public and private organisations, the institute recently held its first matriculation ceremony for full time students. The maiden matriculation ceremony was organised for National Innovation Diploma (NID) students.
Declaring the event open, Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, said: “the introduction of NID programmes is to create opportunities for Nigerian youths to become self-employed and in turn employ others.”
At a recent visit to the institute by the Hon. Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Jaji Sambo, the NITT DG told the newly appointed Minister and the NITT team is developing a National Intelligent Transport System, expected to provide real-time transport information and intelligence, as well as assist researchers and policy formulators.
According to the DG, “the Institute is building an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Centre to be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. At the moment, the databank project has commenced with the installation of equipment in some major highways namely: Abuja-Lokoja, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Kaduna-Zaria Highway.
“Traffic data generated by these equipment will be transmitted in real time to the Data Centre in Zaria. Data from transport organisations are also being collated and inputted into the Databank System in the Institute”.
The DG added that “the Institute is currently in talks with the National Gas Expansion Programme Committee aimed at providing the technical manpower for engineering the process of converting fossil fuel driven vehicles in Nigeria to using either Compressed National Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as well as championing the call for local production of conversion kits in this regard”.
About NITT
The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria is the apex management development Institute for transport and logistics in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.
It is a career development and professional certification centre.
NITT provides corporate leadership and strategic management, training, conducts research and advisory services, engages in transport Intelligence and monitoring activities as well as develops and adapts transport technology to suit the country’s needs.
It was established on 14th March, 1986 via Decree No.6 (now CAP 116, LFN, 2004) to among other things address mainly the problems of the transport sector such as inefficient and low productivity, fast depreciation of capital investments, deficient management and maintenance of infrastructure, low level of professionalism and high expenditure on overseas training, through the supply of professionally competent leaders, managers, technologists and other specialists; and the provision of the expertise that will improve the industry’s performance for efficiency and effectiveness.
The Institute is mandated by its Enabling Act to specifically provide management training for personnel employed in all modes of transport.
NITT serves as a Transport Intelligence Centre for monitoring transport and logistics systems and provides equipment and facilities for the encouragement, promotion, and conduct of applied research in all modes of transport.
