CHUKS OKOH
Global disruptions have become the defining feature of the twenty-first century economy, and nations that fail to build resilient energy, transport and trade systems will struggle to sustain growth, Dr Richard Aisuebeogun told delegates at the second edition of the Transport Summit 2026.
In a keynote paper titled “Navigating Global Disruptions and the Road Ahead: Mobility, Energy and Trade Facilitation for Resilient Future,” Aisuebeogun argued that geopolitical conflicts, energy-market volatility, supply-chain breakdowns, climate pressures and technological change have exposed deep vulnerabilities in transportation networks, energy markets and international trade.
For developing economies, particularly in Africa, the challenge is no longer simply to survive these shocks but to construct systems capable of sustaining economic growth and social development.
He identified energy security and trade facilitation as the twin pillars of economic resilience stressing that energy remains the lifeblood of modern economies: without reliable electricity and fuel supplies, ports cannot operate efficiently, industries lose competitiveness, logistics costs rise and trade suffers.
“Recent price swings in crude oil, natural gas, electricity and aviation fuel have already translated into higher fares, freight charges and consumer prices, while jet-fuel shortages in May this year disrupted Nigerian airline schedules, forced route adjustments and raised concerns about crew fatigue and operator finances”.
Trade facilitation, Aisuebeogun continued, offers a practical route to greater resilience. Simplifying border procedures, modernising customs systems, expanding digital platforms and improving logistics reduce transaction costs, cut delays and strengthen export competitiveness.
The African Continental Free Trade Area, he noted, creates significant opportunities for intra-African trade, industrialisation and regional value chains, yet its success depends on efficient borders, modern logistics infrastructure, reliable energy and effective air-service arrangements.
Turning to Nigeria, Aisuebeogun said the central question is not merely how much new infrastructure the country can build, but whether it can establish a transport system that is reliable, affordable, safe, integrated, financially sustainable and able to withstand external shocks.
“Geopolitical tensions and foreign-exchange volatility raise the cost of fuel, spare parts, aircraft leases and maintenance. Supply-chain interruptions delay vehicles, railway components and airport equipment.
Flooding and extreme weather damage roads, bridges, ports and runways. Digital systems improve efficiency but introduce cybersecurity risks that demand trained personnel and clear operational standards.
Road networks remain central to passenger movement and domestic freight, yet deteriorating surfaces, poor drainage, congestion and weak links between industrial centres, farms, ports and airports continue to inflate vehicle maintenance costs, fuel consumption and travel times”
According to him, railway services suffer from limited coverage, maintenance shortfalls and weak connections to ports and industrial clusters adding that inland waterways and maritime facilities remain under-utilised, while airports require sustained investment in safety-critical assets, power supply, cargo facilities and digital systems if they are to support trade and tourism.
Aisuebeogun proposed a coordinated national response built around five priorities: resilience that prepares infrastructure and operators to absorb shocks and recover quickly; integration that links road, rail, maritime, inland-waterway and air transport into a coherent logistics system; accountability that strengthens planning, procurement, maintenance and regulation; productivity that uses technology, skills and better management to cut avoidable costs; and economic value that directs investment toward trade, employment, regional connectivity and industrial development.
He urged governments to invest in energy infrastructure, accelerate trade reforms, modernise customs systems and promote public-private partnerships.
The private sector, he said, should diversify supply chains, adopt risk-management systems and invest in technology and sustainability. Regional institutions must support harmonised regulations, cross-border infrastructure and energy cooperation. “For Nigeria specifically, priority should go to completing multimodal links between seaports, rail, roads and airports, digitalising clearance and cargo tracking, reducing dwell times, investing in cold-chain facilities and positioning aviation as a strategic pillar of national trade facilitation”
Aisuebeogun stressed that the measure of success should not be the volume of money spent or the number of projects announced. It should be the reliability of services delivered, the reduction in the cost of moving people and goods, the safety of users, the opportunities created for businesses and workers, and the resilience of the national economy.
