Reimagining Nigeria’s logistics landscape

The logistics and supply chain landscape in Nigeria is fraught with inefficiencies that have long stifled economic growth and regional trade. From high turnaround times at ports to frequent disruptions due to insecurity and infrastructure decay, the system remains reactive rather than proactive. But what if Nigeria could flip the script? What if we could build a supply chain that doesn’t just survive adversity but anticipates and adapts to it?

This is where enterprise resilience and logistics intelligence come in. Powered by AI, data modeling, and predictive analytics, these tools offer a path forward. They enable smarter decisions, risk-aware routing, and end-to-end visibility. Nigerian professionals and policymakers must think of adopting the emerging global technologies like AI to reengineer our logistics systems from the ground up.

A Driving Knowledge in the Field

Few professionals have consistently articulated this vision as clearly as Peter Olawami Ijiyemi continue to do in the media. His works, including the widely shared article “Enterprise Resilience Isn’t Optional, It’s Strategic Intelligence in Action”, lay a blueprint for how businesses can use scenario modeling, AI-assisted monitoring, and intelligent feedback systems to become more agile. Peter emphasizes that resilience is not about returning to the status quo but about evolving forward.

His article “From Visibility to Action: Elevating Your Supply Chain with Integrated Logistics Intelligence” challenges businesses to evolve from static monitoring to dynamic response systems. The thesis is simple yet powerful: real-time action trumps passive awareness. This paradigm shift, when embraced by Nigerian firms, will dramatically change how we respond to border delays, supplier breakdowns, and demand shocks.

Theoretical Grounding, Practical Value

Peter’s scholarly publication, “AI-Driven Business Modeling and Decision Support Integration for Corporate Governance”, showcases how decision intelligence can inform governance structures. The implications for logistics are profound. Through enterprise-wide decision support systems, supply chains can become self-correcting, optimizing both throughput and resilience in response to real-time data.

Sectoral Implications for Nigeria

Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain systems stand to benefit significantly from sectoral innovations shaped by experts like Peter Olawami Ijiyemi, whose dual expertise in banking and logistics positions him uniquely at the intersection of finance and operational intelligence. For instance, his advocacy for AI-driven supply chain finance models introduces a data-backed mechanism for evaluating supplier risk. This enables banks to issue credit lines based on real-time logistics performance metrics rather than static credit histories, an approach gaining traction in economies like India and Singapore, where digital logistics financing has accelerated SME access to capital.

On the regulatory front, Peter’s thought leadership contributes to a broader agenda for reform. His perspectives support the digitization of compliance and customs tracking, which has the potential to reduce processing delays and limit opportunities for corruption at key border points such as Seme and Apapa. This aligns with global trends where nations are integrating blockchain and AI to increase transparency in cross-border logistics, as seen in the UAE’s adoption of digital trade corridors.

Furthermore, Peter serves as a vital link between academia and industry, contributing to the design of practical curricula that reflect evolving industry needs. His involvement in shaping educational frameworks ensures that graduates entering Nigeria’s logistics workforce are equipped with the skills required for intelligent systems, AI modeling, and supply chain analytics. This academic-industry synergy fosters innovation and enhances organizational readiness in both the private and public sectors.

Challenges in Nigeria’s Logistics Transformation and Proposed Strategic Steps

Several distinguished global experts continue to shape the field of integrated logistics intelligence and enterprise resilience through groundbreaking research and thought leadership. Dr. Nada Sanders is widely recognized for her specialization in predictive analytics, which plays a critical role in optimizing global logistics operations by anticipating disruptions and ensuring continuity. Professor Hau Lee has made significant contributions to the development of agile and adaptive supply chains, helping organizations worldwide respond more effectively to uncertainties and market volatility. Dr. Olumide Akinlabi of the University of Johannesburg has been instrumental in advancing smart manufacturing integration in Africa, promoting intelligent technologies that improve production and distribution networks. Dr. Mary Lacity has emerged as a leading authority in robotic process automation, focusing on the transformation of business services and logistics workflows. In Nigeria, Professor Ngozi Obasi of Covenant University is driving research into African enterprise innovation models, particularly as they relate to localized supply chain efficiency and sustainability.

Despite these experts’ contributions, Nigeria’s logistics sector continues to grapple with several entrenched challenges that hinder transformation. Fragmented data systems are one of the major barriers, as logistics stakeholders operate in isolated silos with limited data interoperability. This lack of integration results in inefficiencies and reduces the visibility necessary for strategic planning. In addition, there is a notable absence of predictive infrastructure, many logistics systems remain reactive and are primarily designed for historical reporting rather than future forecasting. Moreover, the country faces a critical talent gap, with a shortage of professionals adequately trained in digital supply chain management and intelligent logistics technologies.

To address these systemic issues and align with global innovation standards, a series of strategic steps must be adopted. First, Nigeria’s academic and training institutions should prioritize the development of a comprehensive logistics intelligence curriculum. This program should integrate insights from experts like Peter Olawami Ijiyemi, whose interdisciplinary knowledge bridges both the financial and operational domains of supply chain ecosystems. Secondly, government agencies should facilitate the creation of centralized data interchange platforms that enable real-time communication and collaboration across actors such as port authorities, customs, transporters, and retailers. Lastly, the establishment of AI readiness labs dedicated to logistics and supply chain operations is crucial. These labs would provide controlled environments to test, refine, and deploy machine learning and modeling tools, ensuring that new technologies are both effective and adaptable to Nigeria’s specific market conditions.

The Path Forward

For Nigeria to become a regional logistics powerhouse, it must internalize the principles of enterprise resilience and intelligent logistics. Peter Olawami Ijiyemi’s body of work offers a roadmap that is both visionary and actionable. When thought leaders, policymakers, and industry practitioners align behind these principles, Nigeria’s logistics transformation will no longer be a theoretical ambition but a practical reality.

Bank-Omotoye is a global supply chain leader and chief procurement officer.