The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States are forging a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing skills in the transportation sector to drive economic growth and efficiency.
This partnership was highlighted during a meeting between Abike Dabiri-Erewa, CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Dr. Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), held in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Sunday by NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the need for targeted investments in training programs to equip Nigerians with the technical expertise necessary to improve productivity in the transportation sector.
She underscored that such initiatives are aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a trillion-dollar economy.
“Investing in skill development is key to enhancing efficiency in transportation and achieving our economic goals,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She also called for the inclusion of organizations such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in joint research and training efforts.
Omishakin expressed concerns about environmental challenges caused by transport-related pollution and stressed the importance of adopting sustainable practices to improve air quality and public health.
He emphasized the need for collaboration to address these challenges and affirmed CalSTA’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Nigeria.
The CalSTA Secretary highlighted the potential of leveraging the expertise of the Nigerian diaspora in infrastructure and economic development, particularly through knowledge and skill transfer.
He expressed interest in collaborating with Nigerian universities, such as the University of Lagos, to develop advanced training programs tailored to the country’s transport needs.
Dr. Aditya Ramji, Director of the Global South Clean Transportation Center, also supported the need for enhanced training, focusing on equipping Master’s and PhD students with the skills needed to address Nigeria’s transport challenges.
The proposed programs aim to build local capacity for climate action and promote sustainability in transportation.
The collaboration between Nigeria and the United States aims to strengthen the country’s transport sector while providing opportunities for green jobs, technological innovation, and improved mobility for all Nigerians.