Informal Transport Operators Sustain 80% Of Nigeria’s Mobility SystemScholar

Informal Transport Operators Sustain 80% of Nigeria’s Mobility System Scholar A transport scholar has said that informal transport operators remain the backbone of Nigeria’s mobility system, accounting for about 80 per cent of daily transportation needs across the country. The assertion was made by Charles Asenime, a Professor of Transport, Mobility and Development at Lagos State University, while speaking on the state of Nigeria’s transport system and the urgent need for structured planning reforms.Asenime explained that despite the dominance of formal transport systems in policy discussions, it is the informal sector that keeps cities and communities moving daily. He noted that informal operators including minibuses, taxis, motorcycles, and tricycles provide the bulk of mobility services, especially in urban and peri-urban areas where structured public transport remains limited. He estimated that the sector supports around 80 per cent of daily movement needs, including commuting to work, transporting goods, and accessing essential services.The scholar warned that Nigeria’s transport challenges are largely driven by poor planning, weak enforcement, and the absence of integrated transport master plans across states.

He stressed that many states still operate without clear transport development

• Disorganised road networks
• Overdependence on informal transport
• Inefficient mobility systems
• Increased congestion and safety risks

Asenime argued that without coordinated planning, the informal sector will continue to expand in an unregulated and inefficient manner. He urged state governments to adopt comprehensive transport master plans tailored to their urban growth patterns and mobility demands.

• Integrate formal and informal transport systems
• Improve infrastructure investment decisions
• Enhance safety and regulation
• Reduce inefficiencies in urban mobility

He also emphasized that transport planning should be treated as a critical driver of economic development rather than a secondary infrastructure issue. Experts have long noted that Nigeria’s transport system is heavily reliant on informal operators due to limited rail coverage, underdeveloped urban transit systems, and rapid population growth in cities. While the sector remains essential for mobility, analysts warn that its dominance without structured regulation can contribute to congestion, safety challenges, and inconsistent service delivery.Asenime’s remarks reinforce growing calls for reform in Nigeria’s transport sector, highlighting the need to balance the efficiency of informal operators with structured planning and long-term infrastructure development.