The Courier and Logistics Management Institute called on the government, private sector, and educational institutions to invest in reforms, training, and infrastructure to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s logistics industry during its International Conference and Investiture 2025, held recently in Lagos.

The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and media professionals to discuss emerging trends, showcase groundbreaking solutions, and highlight opportunities shaping Africa’s logistics, courier, and transport management sector.

Executive Chairman Simon Emeje explained that logistics is a central aspect of daily life, covering the movement of goods, transport, coordination, and management of human activities.

He stressed that the institute’s programmes, in partnership with Old Bridge University in the United Kingdom, are designed to provide affordable education and training for all, including underserved and indigent populations.

Emeje emphasised that the global logistics sector is worth at least $63m, with Nigeria’s market valued at roughly N3.5tn. He added that the sector could potentially generate up to 50 per cent of any country’s annual budget, including Nigeria’s.

Senator Aliyu Bilbis, current chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications and former Minister of Information, noted that logistics is a foundation for national economic growth. “If we want the economy to develop rapidly, it is propelled by logistics,” he said.

He highlighted that logistics not only links the flow of goods and services but also supports the growth of other enterprises and networks. The sector, he added, has enormous potential to create millions of jobs.

Hon. Olabosun Oladele, representing Senator Adedayo Clement Adeyeye, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, emphasised the centrality of trade logistics to national competitiveness and wealth creation.

“No economy grows faster than its logistics network allows,” he said. He highlighted that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s international trade by volume and 70 per cent by value is maritime-based, making ports a strategic driver of industrial growth.

Oladele stressed that logistics ecosystems rely on entrepreneurs who innovate in freight consolidation, warehousing, digital tracking, intermodal linkages, and maritime services.

He called on the government to formulate enabling policies while urging private investors and financial institutions to explore opportunities in container depots, cold chain logistics, and digital trade platforms.

“If we get it right through innovation, collaboration, and infrastructure modernisation, we will not only reduce business costs but also create millions of sustainable jobs and expand Nigeria’s wealth base,” he added.

The CLMI conference also highlighted the need to introduce logistics education in local secondary and tertiary institutions and to reform regulatory policies to create a more conducive environment for operators. Panel discussions focused on the coordination of global supply chains, efficiency in trade logistics, and the role of technology in improving service delivery.

The event concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among the government, industry leaders, and educational institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s logistics sector reaches its full potential as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and national competitiveness.