Leaders and policymakers at the CLMI International Conference in Lagos slammed the brakes on Nigeria’s sleepy logistics sector—worth N3.5 trillion ($60B)—urging the Federal Government to supercharge it for massive job creation and economic firepower. Prof. Simon Emeje, CLMI Chairman, spotlighted its power to fund half the national budget if regulated right, blasting collapsed firms from weak policies mixing ops and oversight.
Sen. Aliyu Bilbis called logistics Nigeria’s industrial backbone, now at N25 trillion with 4.5% GDP slice, turbocharged by digital tools for slicker trade. Keynote from NPA’s Sen. Adebayo Adeyeye (via rep) hyped maritime’s 80% trade dominance, pushing port digitization, deeper channels, PPPs, bank loans, and uni upgrades to slash delays and build competitiveness.
Emeje eyed AfCFTA and post-AGOA inward focus for African growth, while business bigwigs pledged pro backing. The event capped with PhD grads and calls for an independent regulator to professionalize this wealth engine.
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