FG Launches Smart National Transport Databank for Real-Time Data

ABUJA — The Federal Executive Council has approved the Smart National Transport Databank project. The project will collect real-time transport and mobility data across Nigeria. The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology proposed it.

Minister of Transport Said Alkali made the announcement after the FEC meeting on Monday. He said the databank will track road, rail, air, and water transport movements in real time. This data will help the government plan better and respond faster to emergencies.

“We have been making transport decisions based on outdated information. The Smart National Transport Databank will change that. We will have live data to work with,” Alkali said.

The project will involve the deployment of sensors, cameras, and GPS tracking systems at key transport nodes across the country. Data from these systems will flow into a central platform that government agencies and researchers can access.

Why This Matters

Nigeria’s transport sector is one of the world’s most complex and least tracked. Lagos alone has over 14 million daily commuters. Road traffic data is currently collected manually or not at all in most states.

In addition, the lack of real-time data has contributed to poor emergency response. Accidents, flooding, and security incidents often go undetected for long periods because there is no monitoring system in place. The databank aims to fix this.

Furthermore, the databank data will be used to guide infrastructure investment. The government will be able to see which roads and rail lines are most heavily used and direct spending to where it is most needed.

Implementation Timeline

The government said the first phase of the databank will go live in six major cities: Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kaduna. Phase one is expected to be complete within 18 months.

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology will manage the project. It will partner with private technology firms for the sensor and software components. The ministry said procurement will follow open and transparent processes.

Technology experts welcomed the announcement. However, they urged the government to ensure cybersecurity protections are built into the system from the start. A national transport databank holding real-time location data will be a high-value target for hackers.