The Federal Government has inaugurated an implementation committee to drive the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) component of the Smart National Transport Databank (SNTDB) project, a digital transport intelligence platform.

The Smart National Transport Databank (SNTDB), championed by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation, was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as part of efforts to establish a centralised, interoperable and real-time transport data system for Nigeria.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, said the initiative was aimed at addressing longstanding gaps in transport data collection, coordination and accessibility, while strengthening evidence-based planning and investment across the sector.

He recalled that the SNTDB was approved at the 12th National Council on Transportation in 2012, with NITT mandated to establish the databank under the supervision of the ministry.

He further disclosed that the project had received FEC approval for implementation under a 20-year Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) PPP concession to Asia-Arab Investment Nigeria Limited.

The newly inaugurated committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, NITT, Federal Road Safety Corps, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Federal Ministry of Works, Office of the National Security Adviser and the concessionaire, among others.

Its mandate includes overseeing the implementation of the project in line with the Concession Agreement, approved Full Business Case and applicable laws; monitoring milestones and performance; coordinating participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); managing implementation challenges and risks; ensuring financial and governance accountability; and submitting periodic progress reports.

In a project briefing, the Director-General/Chief Executive of NITT, Dr Bayero Salih Farah, FCILT, described the SNTDB as a national transport intelligence infrastructure designed to support planning, regulation, safety, security, infrastructure development and evidence-based decision-making.

He outlined key components of the project, including at least 250 solar-powered intelligent gantries equipped with RFID and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technologies, Traffic Management Centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a Main Data Centre, an Electronic Tagging (E-Tag) ecosystem, database integration, real-time analytics and cybersecurity systems, to be implemented in phases.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to providing the policy and institutional leadership required for the successful delivery of the project, while NITT would oversee contract management and the protection of the government’s interests.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation remains committed to delivering a functional, secure and nationally integrated transport intelligence system that will provide measurable value to the government, transport operators and the Nigerian public.