LAGOS (SUNDIATA POST)- The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, says training is imperative for operators to acquire the right skills to manage the transport sector.
Keyamo said this at the Global Transport Policy (GTP) maiden Women in Transport Conference on Friday in Lagos.
The conference had the theme,’ Mindset Plus Skillset: Championing Inclusive Agenda for Women in the Nigerian Transport Industry’.
Keyamo was represented by Mrs Obiageli Orah, from the Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Department, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The minister noted that the transport sector was multi-faceted, comprising the air, road, rail and water transport modes.
He said that each of the modes required special technical skills to operate and manage.
“This is even more important given the massive technological advancement experienced in the sector currently.
“The society is heterogeneous in nature. It is important that policymakers keep this in mind to ensure that the transport sector which has become notorious for male domination is opened up for increased women participation.
“There is need for deliberate efforts to create enabling environment to empower women and give them more opportunities to thrive in the transport business.
“After all, it is said that women are better managers,” he said.
He said that the aviation sector was already championing the cause, adding that women were occupying strategic positions at different levels in the sector, contributing to its growth.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, for example, has a woman as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with many directors who are women too.
“There are many female pilots, aeronautical engineers, air traffic controllers and so on at the operational level in the industry,” he said.
He said that gender balancing was pivotal to sustained synergy and teamwork required among agencies and industry leaders to ensure enhanced transport development.
The minister said there were schools and academies providing aviation-related trainings which young women could take advantage of for relevance and service.
“The prestigious Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) located at Zaria, Kaduna State, is our national pride which has been providing several various trainings for professionals in the industry.
“Young ladies are encouraged to build capacity by attending such an institution. Some of these trainings are very expensive, and this brings to the fore the issue of funding.
“There is need to create windows for our women to be able to access grants and cheap loans specifically tailored towards helping them to acquire relevant skills in any area of transport management.
“This will help to bridge the widening gender gap in the sector,” he said.
Also, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, said that achieving the potential of the blue economy would require harnessing the skills, expertise and talents of both men and women.
Oyetola was represented by Mrs Wasilat Adamu, Assistant Director, Maritime Safety and Security Department, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“The future of Nigeria’s maritime sector is bright, but to unlock its full potential, we must foster an environment that values and elevates the contributions of women.
“We must change our mindset, invest in the right skillsets and create policies that enable women to thrive.
“ By doing so, we are not only empowering women but also creating a stronger, more innovative and more competitive maritime industry that will drive economic growth of Nigeria,” he said.
Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), said that harnessing the full potential of the transport sector would require inclusiveness.
Akinajo was represented by Mrs Kemi Williams, Head of Strategic Partnerships, and Investment, LAMATA.
She said that it was regrettable that women’s contributions in the transport sector had been negligible and their potential under-utilised.
“This imbalance is not solely a gender issue, it is a missed opportunity for innovation, equity and sustainable progress,” she said.
She added that the journey toward an inclusive Nigerian transport industry would require collective commitment, persistence, partnership and purpose.
“Together, with the right mindset and skillset, we can create a transport sector that truly reflects the diversity of our nation,” she said. (NAN)
