By Oki O. Samson
CITIZENS COMPASS— In a ceremony described as historic and transformational, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and one of Nigeria’s most respected transport administrators, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi was inaugurated as the 21st President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria yesterday Thursday 27th November 2025. He pledged to unify the Institute, deepen professionalism, and reposition the country as a global logistics force, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
In his acceptance speech yesterday, the new National President, Dr. Oyeyemi declared: “Today’s gathering is not merely ceremonial; it is a call to renewal. Leadership is not privilege; it is stewardship and a covenant of service that demands accountability, humility, and purpose.”
The new President anchored his vision on the ceremony’s theme: Building on Our Legacies, Uniting Every Member, and Positioning CILT Nigeria as a Global Force in Transport and Logistics. He reflected on the organisation’s 67-year national history and its 106-year global heritage, calling members to collective action. “Our Institute stands at the threshold of renewal, ready to consolidate, modernize, and globalize.”
He paid glowing tribute to past leaders and, in particular, outgoing President Barr. Mfon Ekong Usoro, whose tenure he described as transformative. “Excellence and inclusivity are achievable together,” Oyeyemi noted, referencing Usoro’s record-breaking national conference attendance of over 600 participants.
He then outlined eight strategic pillars which he will focus on during his 2-year tenure. This includes governance, research, innovation, diversity, and legislative recognition for which he unveiled a Project 2027 Agenda. This is a legislative push to secure an Act of Parliament for CILT Nigeria. “Project 2027 is not just an ambition; it is an institutional legacy we must achieve together.”
“We will build stronger partnerships with CILT International, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the African Development Bank (AFDB) positioning Nigeria as the logistics nerve centre of West Africa. CILT Nigeria must not be a local observer but a regional leader in logistics transformation.”
He urged members, “Let us build an Institute that every member is proud to call home, a home that is strong in fellowship, credible in advocacy, and visionary in impact.”
The outgoing President, Barr. Mfon Ekong Usoro, in her address highlighted the gains of her administration from stronger governance to the expansion of partnerships and deeper global integration. “We stopped the practice of remitting foreign currency through friends abroad. We implemented strict processes through CILT’s domiciliary accounts.”
The former Director-General of NIMASA expressed confidence in her successor, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, describing his emergence as the beginning of a new chapter of consolidation and institutional maturity.
“The leadership handover signals a renewed phase of growth and consolidation for CILT Nigeria.”
During the event, some of the distinguished guests charted the road ahead for CILT Nigeria under the leadership of Dr. Oyeyemi. They also received distinguished awards during the ceremony.
The former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who chaired the occasion was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Dimeji Sofowora. He noted that CILT must embrace emerging technologies or risk lagging behind in a rapidly evolving global logistics marketplace. “The world of logistics and transport is undergoing rapid and unprecedented transformation. Innovation now serves as the core engine driving global competitiveness. Technology has become the new infrastructure reshaping how goods are produced, stored, transported, paid for, and delivered. Intelligent transport systems, automated warehousing, and smart traffic management are present realities that determine national competitiveness.”
Fashola celebrated Oyeyemi’s data-driven leadership, recalling his FRSC legacy.
“Every crash had a cause, and if the cause could be identified, it could be prevented,” describing Oyeyemi as a “focused leader” with a record of measurable outcomes.
Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka who is the Special Guest of Honour at the event added moral and historical depth to the moment. “Road safety is a very scientific process, decisions about speed, road design and vehicle standards are never whimsical.”
Soyinka, who pioneered Nigeria’s earliest road safety efforts decades ago, charged Oyeyemi to innovate boldly. “Congratulations, I fully expect to see innovations during your presidency. And I know that you have a collaboration of even the special marshals who are not employees but volunteers who dedicate themselves to the principle of right to life.” he declared.
Further, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, represented by Mrs. Baphne Shahoma, delivered an inspirational tribute to the new president. Lauding Oyeyemi’s public service record, he emphasized the need for legitimacy, qualification standards, and deeper compliance within the logistics profession as he also charged the incoming administration to rely on the experience of the outgoing president, Barr. Mfon Usoro. “If you need counsel, don’t go anywhere else. Start with her, unless she is unavailable at any point. She is supposed to be your partner and bilaterally engage as much as you can. Take as much as you can from her because she is a reservoir of information and she has access that I am sure she is willing to share with you. Your selection was by destiny that now places in your hands the compass for greatness in CILT.”
In his goodwill message, the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola represented by Mr. Igwe Kingsley, Registrar/CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) stressed the urgency of professionalizing freight logistics in Nigeria. He also noted that bridging the gap between CILT, the Ministry, CRFFN, and frontline practitioners is essential for a competitive logistics ecosystem. “Let me emphasize that under your leadership, the task before the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is strengthening professionalism in freight forwarding and logistics practices. The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy recognizes CILT as a strategic partner in building a globally competitive logistics ecosystem. We remain committed to deepening our partnership to enhance efficiency, connectivity and competitiveness across Nigeria’s logistics value chain,” the Minister reiterated
