Three game-changing transport policies for 2026

Nigeria’s transport sector is set to see policy reforms that will help shape mobility and logistics in Africa’s most populous country in 2026.

From road safety and vehicle standards to rail reform and alternative fuels, several transport policies are slated for implementation this year that could influence how people and goods move across the country.

According to Stren & Blan Partners’ 2026 forecast for the transport sector, Nigeria is set to turn late 2025 reforms into tangible results in the first quarter of 2026, noting that this will happen through careful execution, quick project delivery, and stronger public-private collaboration.

The report stated that the upcoming period will shift from setting policies to putting them into action. The focus will be on contract awards, securing financing, and piloting projects in road, rail, maritime, aviation, and urban mobility systems.

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In no particular order, here are transport policies to watch in Nigeria this year.

End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) policy

Nigeria is set to fully implement its End-of-Life Vehicle Policy in 2026, driven by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to overhaul automotive waste management.

The policy aims to regulate how old or abandoned vehicles are handled, from collection to dismantling and recycling, and to also reduce environmental pollution, formalise the auto recycling industry, generate jobs, and support sustainable growth in the automotive value chain.

Mandatory testing and certification for imported used vehicles are also expected to be enforced under this policy framework.

National land transport policy

This is the first-ever National Land Transport Policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council, which aims to create an efficient, safe, integrated, and multi-modal transport system, including smart mobility solutions and intelligent transport systems (ITS).

It prioritises private sector investment, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and intermodal connectivity (rail, road, pipelines) to reduce logistics costs, improve infrastructure, and enhance economic growth.

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Rail sector modernisation

Rail reform remains a big policy in 2026, with the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s (NRC) ongoing commitment to rail infrastructure rehabilitation and long-term electrification plans aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability.

By expanding from narrow to standard gauge lines, creating intermodal links with ports, and initiating electrification to boost cargo and passenger transport. Key projects include the Lagos-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri lines, aiming to reduce road congestion and lower logistics costs.