Logistics institute pushes for legislative recognition, modernisation
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria (CILT Nigeria), says the key priority of the new administration will focus on securing legislative recognition and driving comprehensive institutional transformation for economic growth.
The CILT Nigeria’s President and Chairman of Council, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said this at his investiture as the 21st President and swearing-in of other members of the council on Thursday in Lagos.
Oyeyemi was the former Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
He said the institute would secure legislative recognition for CILT Nigeria to strengthen national and global institutional credibility.
“Project 2027 aims to secure legislative recognition for CILT Nigeria, granting statutory authority to regulate professional standards, protect its chartered status, and strengthen national and global institutional credibility.
“Eight strategic pillars covering membership growth, reforms, innovation, governance, digital services, inclusivity, and international leadership will define the institute’s transformation agenda for 2025–2027,” he said.
Oyeyemi expressed the readiness of CILT Nigeria, after 67 years of existence, for renewal, united in building a modern, globally aligned institute grounded in fellowship, credible advocacy, and purposeful stewardship.
He added that the institute would strengthen its legacy through accountable leadership, stronger institutions, and measurable programmes to empower members while uniting professionals and enhancing the institute’s global visibility.
“Its agenda prioritises innovation, skills development, and international collaboration through digital learning, mentorship, research centres, and partnerships that position CILT Nigeria as a regional logistics leader.
“Focus areas include sustainability, multimodal integration, and national partnerships to modernise transport,” he said.
He said through green logistics and policy collaboration, CILT Nigeria would build an efficient, safe, and competitive transport system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, described Oyeyemi as a visionary leader whose outstanding service and contributions to logistics, transport, and road safety made him highly deserving of this esteemed position.
“His leadership is expected to bring renewed strength, professionalism, and impact to CILT Nigeria, especially in advancing freight forwarding standards aligned with national logistics and transport needs.
“The institute must work closely with the ministry and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, to bridge long-standing gaps in standards, certification, research and policy implementation.
“He should ensure a more coherent and globally competitive logistics ecosystem,” he said.
He also commended CILT’s commitment to capacity building and collaboration, pledging continued partnership while congratulating the new president and reaffirming support for transformative progress in Nigeria’s logistics sector.
The former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, enjoined Oyeyemi to steer the institute forward through innovation.
Fashola, the Chairman of the occasion, who observed that new innovations such as Artificial intelligence, robotics and others would define the future urged the sector to embrace them in order to move forward.
“Logistics today is not merely about moving goods but moving value through speed, transparency and standards, so your responsibility is to ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the sector.
“Oyeyemi should strengthen capacity development, collaboration between industry players, move policy around mulitmodalism, and also ensure the sector contributes fully to national development,” he said.
Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Special Guest of Honour, applauded Oyeyemi emergence as the 21st President of CILT.
Soyinka added that he was expecting to see innovations during Oyeyemi’s presidency.
Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, a fellow of CILT, while giving the investiture lecture said that leadership in CILT required integrity, accountability, resource management, and strong membership growth.
Oyesiku who spoke on the topic: “Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria: The Leadership Expectation,” disclosed that progress in the next five years depended on advocacy, partnerships, training benefits, and sustaining credibility and trust among members.
“Fixing leadership challenges demands early planning, clear governance structures, institutional reforms, active member engagement, and collaboration with government, industry, and academia, supported by the Institute’s largely untapped high-quality resources.
“Quality leadership will strengthen CILT Nigeria into a transformative national force in logistics and transport and he must invest in development, harness available support, and ensure inclusive, sustainable growth,” he said.
Also, Mrs Mfon Usoro, the outgone President while giving the valedictory remark, noted that CILT Nigeria had an active membership of 2,021 persons comprising of chartered fellow, chartered members, members, affiliate and students.
Usoro said that CILT Nigeria achieved territory status in 2014 and remained the only CILT territory in Africa.
“CILT Nigeria in conjunction with partners conduct regular trainings, CILT Annual conference has been restructured and transformed, the institute has been digitised and collaborated with many organisations for the sector growth,” she said.
Some representatives present at the investiture are: the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, among others.
Awards were given to distinguished personalities such as: Usoro, Fashola, Soyinka and others.
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