- Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Mindful of the upcoming transport schools in Nigerian, and in line with global standards, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has charged the Nigerian Institute of Transportation Technology (NITT) to improve its curriculum and devise strategies to advance the transport sector.
Sambo, who spoke during his familiarisation visit to the NITT Thursday, noted that the strategies would increase institute’s standard, particularly in view of the upcoming transport schools, according to a statement from his media team.
“While appreciating the contributions and achievements recorded so far by the management in the area of training, research and huge investment on infrastructures, there is still need for the research institute to do a lot more by providing a leading role in putting the Nigerian transport sector in its rightful place in the global space,” he said.
“NITT should also upgrade its curriculum according to global best practice and affiliate with various research institutions, thereby increasing the knowledge-base of its lecturers and beneficiaries.
“This is necessary to place the institute on a high pedestal as a training hub in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.”
Commending the NITT leadership on infrastructural development, Sambo expressed delight at being physically present to inspect, familiarise and have a first-hand knowledge of the projects, adding that “this unique transformation will surely open doors for more patronage.”
He noted that NITT, which was established on March 14, 1986 to solve capacity-gap problems in the transport sector has, in line with its mission over the years, rolled out competent transport professionals in all modes of transportation, to bridge the capacity gap in the sector.
“I am particularly impressed that in a bid to align with the current trends in transportation, NITT has taken steps to affiliate with other research institutions in the world.
“In the same vein, I am pleased with the expanded programmes and upgraded curriculum of the school to global standards.
“I am particularly delighted with the Transport Technology Centre (TTC), equipped with world class tools that are designed to enable the institute fulfil its mandate of ensuring effective and efficient transport operation and management.
“The completion of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Centre will also be a major feat for the institute and the Nigerian transportation sector as a whole.”
Though he acknowledged that the current government prioritised the transport sector with considerable investments in the past seven years, he noted that a lot still needed to be done to advance the sector and wipe out its deficits.
“While appreciating the contributions and achievements recorded so far by the management in the area of training, research and huge investment on infrastructures, there is still need for the research institute to do a lot more by providing a leading role in putting the Nigerian transport sector in its rightful place in the global space.”
