The International Right of Way Association (IRWA) has intensified efforts to improve infrastructure delivery in Nigeria, seeking stronger collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) on Right of Way (ROW) management.

During a courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja on Wednesday, IRWA President, ESV Kola Olayode, led a delegation of the association’s executives to engage the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, on strategic partnership and industry sensitisation.

Olayode said IRWA, a global non-profit professional body with over 70 chapters worldwide, is positioned to support the ministry through capacity building, professional certification, and standardisation of ROW practices.

He noted that effective collaboration would eliminate common bottlenecks in project execution, ensuring that infrastructure projects progress smoothly from conception to completion.

“The complexity of today’s infrastructure demands specialists, not generalists,” he said, urging professionals across fields—including estate surveyors, lawyers, engineers, land surveyors, environmentalists, and project managers—to embrace IRWA’s training and certification opportunities.

Responding, Adebiyi underscored the importance of Right of Way professionals in national development, stressing that proper ROW management is critical to the success of infrastructure projects.

He called on IRWA to expand its advocacy across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to promote better awareness and compliance with ROW regulations.

According to him, improved sensitisation would help address issues of encroachment, poor compensation practices, and mismanagement of acquired corridors.

The Permanent Secretary assured the association of the ministry’s readiness to partner with IRWA and pledged to encourage staff participation in its programmes, including the Chapter 84 seminar scheduled for June 4, 2026, in Abuja, themed “Better Right of Way Management and Maintenance.”

The meeting was attended by Director of Rail Services, Engr. James Zirra; IRWA Chapter 84 Vice President, ESV Idongesit Akpan; Secretary, ESV Ikechukwu Henry Nwachukwu; Treasurer, ESV Aminu Shuaibu; Education Committee Chairman, ESV Philip Nwachukwu; Past President, ESV Eze Odigbo; and ESV Rasheedat Lawal-Raheem, among others.