Experts have issued an urgent call for the Federal Government to prioritize Nigeria’s overlooked logistics, courier, and transport sector, a behemoth with a valuation exceeding N3tn. This call to action echoed during the Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI) conference and investiture, held in Lagos under the theme, “Logistics Solutions and National Infrastructure Development.”
Prof. Simon Emeje, the CLMI Executive Chairman, lamented the sector’s lack of recognition from the Nigerian government, emphasizing that its global potential remains largely untapped. “Any nation that disregards the logistics, courier, and transport sector risks economic stagnation,” he asserted. “The government must not overlook this sector, as it forms the bedrock of any economy.”
Emeje further highlighted the sector’s immense economic potential, stating, “The logistics, courier, transport, and management industry commands an average asset worth over N3tn, presenting substantial potential for job creation.” He vividly illustrated the sector’s indispensability by posing a scenario: “Imagine a manufacturer that manufactures goods but has no logistics to distribute or deliver them to the end users.”
The multifaceted contributions of logistics were further elucidated by Emeje, ranging from facilitating trade and enhancing the supply chain to creating jobs and propelling economic growth. Despite its undeniable significance, the Nigerian logistics sector faces formidable challenges, including infrastructural deficits and weak government policies, which hinder its full potential.
Emeje’s call for immediate attention underscores the sector’s crucial role in sustaining and fostering economic prosperity. “The government should look into this industry,” he emphasized, “as it possesses the capability to create millions of employment opportunities for our youths.”
Echoing Emeje’s sentiment, former Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, urged the CLMI to draft a comprehensive proposal for government adoption, offering assistance in facilitating engagement. Recognizing the sector’s significance, Shittu, alongside Emeje, called for the establishment of a dedicated ministry to foster an enabling environment for Courier and Logistics Management, drawing parallels to the recognition given to the entertainment industry.
The time for action is now. Nigeria’s logistics sector, a sleeping giant brimming with untapped potential, awaits the awakening touch of government prioritization. By prioritizing this sector, Nigeria can unleash a wave of economic growth, job creation, and prosperity, transforming the nation into a logistics powerhouse.
