Dr Mudasiru Wins Global Honour, Pushes Nigeria–Africa Transport Pact in Russia

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Nigeria’s role in global transport policy got a boost as Dr Mudasiru, Deputy National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), received international recognition at the 1st International Transport and Logistics Forum (ITLF).

The forum’s organizing committee commended Mudasiru for his “support and active participation” at the event, which drew policymakers and industry leaders from over 80 countries to address global logistics disruptions and transport innovation. Russia’s Ministry of Transport hosted the forum with the Roscongress Foundation.

Mudasiru attended as part of a five-member Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) delegation led by President Refilwe Buthelezi. The presence of FAEO signaled Africa’s growing stake in shaping global transport and logistics rules.

“Africa is no longer on the sidelines; we are actively participating in shaping the logistics systems of the future,” Mudasiru said. He warned that Africa must build alternative transport corridors to reduce exposure to maritime shipping shocks worsened by Middle East tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a virtual address, said Moscow is ready to partner globally to expand and stabilize logistics networks. For Nigeria and Africa, that means moving beyond heavy reliance on sea routes.

Key ITLF sessions covered international transport corridors, digital logistics, and PPP financing — all core to Nigeria’s infrastructure push.

A major outcome: FAEO met Russia’s state highway authority, AVTODOR, to advance an existing MoU on infrastructure collaboration. Talks focused on toll road development, corridor management, and construction tech transfer.

For NIHTE, Mudasiru’s honour shows the institution’s expanding global footprint. He said such forums give Nigerian engineers access to innovations and policy tools needed to fix local infrastructure gaps.

Industry observers say sustained global engagement is critical if Nigeria wants to modernize transport, attract investment, and shape trade policy — not just react to it.

“The recognition is not just personal,” Mudasiru added. “It reflects the collective progress of Nigerian engineers contributing to global development.”