 in Katsina State on Wednesday established two committees to conduct a){kind=link}
The Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD) in Katsina State on Wednesday established two committees to conduct a nationwide research on the transportation data framework in the country.
Dr. Muiz Banire, the Chairman of the Governing Council of FUTD, made the announcement during the university’s fifth council meeting in Abuja.
He stated that the council has formed a committee to develop a Framework for the gathering of Baseline Data and Research on Transportation Indices in Nigeria.
The group will examine existing deficiencies in transportation indices across road, rail, air, and water sectors, including vehicle utilization patterns, traffic volumes, accident statistics, public transport demand, and environmental consequences.
Banire said the council also established a committee on the Significance of History and Impacts of Trans-Saharan Route and Trade.
He said the committee would deal with trans-saharan routes and trade that cut across northern to central Africa.
According to him, such development is not just an academic pursuit but a national imperative.
“The University Council recently approved these projects, which will be implemented under the leadership of Prof. Odewumi Samuel, former Dean of Lagos State University’s School of Transport and Logistics.
“Also, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, former Vice-Chancellor, Kwararafa University, Wukari and immediate past Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
“The two research projects represent a transformative step toward building a robust, data-driven transportation policy ecosystem in Nigeria and the historical perspective of the trans-Saharan route and trade that cut across northern to central Africa,” he said.
Prof. Umar Katsayal, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUTD), stated that the lack of reliable baseline data on transportation indicators had been a long-standing obstacle in the way of strategic planning, investment, and reform in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
The vice chancellor said that the committees would focus on developing a standardised and technology-supported framework for systematically collecting, managing, and analysing transport data nationwide.
“Reliable data is the bedrock of infrastructure development, policy formulation, safety management, and economic growth. We are proud to lead this pioneering initiative in the interest of national development.
According to him, key research outcomes will include a national transportation data framework, policy recommendations for improved governance and strengthened institutional capacity for transport planning and monitoring.
Prof. Odewumi Samuel, the Leader of the Committee on “Framework for the collection of Baseline Data and Research on Transportation Indices in Nigeria described the national project as a feedback of FUTD to the society.
Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, the Leader of the Committee on the “Significance of History and Impacts of Trans-Saharan Route and Trade “said the efforts of the committee would definitely strengthen the African Free Trade Act.
(NAN)