By Peter Oyedele, Abuja

The International Right of Way Association (International Right of Way Association) has called for deeper collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Transportation to improve infrastructure delivery and address persistent Right-of-Way (ROW) challenges affecting transport projects across the country.

The appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, in Abuja on April 28, 2026.

The IRWA delegation was led by its President, Kola Olayode, who said the association is committed to supporting Nigeria through professional training, standardisation of practices, and capacity building in ROW management.

Olayode explained that IRWA, a global non-profit professional body with over 70 chapters worldwide, focuses on improving land acquisition, valuation, and infrastructure corridor management.

He stressed that effective collaboration between the association and government institutions would help reduce delays in infrastructure delivery by addressing avoidable disputes and bottlenecks linked to ROW acquisition.

According to him, modern infrastructure development requires specialised expertise, adding that professionals such as estate surveyors, lawyers, engineers, land surveyors, environmental experts, and project managers stand to benefit from IRWA’s certification programmes and knowledge-sharing platforms.

In response, Adebiyi acknowledged the importance of Right-of-Way professionals in national development, noting that efficient ROW management remains critical to successful infrastructure delivery.

He urged IRWA to intensify advocacy across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve awareness and standardisation in acquisition and compensation processes.

The Permanent Secretary also called for greater public sensitisation on the consequences of encroachment on designated Right-of-Way corridors, describing it as a major obstacle to infrastructure development.

He assured the delegation of the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with IRWA, expressing optimism that the partnership would enhance project execution and efficiency in the transport sector.

Adebiyi also pledged support for staff participation in IRWA programmes, including the upcoming Chapter 84 seminar scheduled for June 4, 2026, in Abuja, themed “Better Right of Way Management and Maintenance.”

The meeting was attended by senior ministry officials and IRWA Chapter 84 executives, marking what both parties described as a step toward strengthening institutional cooperation and improving ROW governance in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.