The COVID-19 pandemic has generally induced mass panic and threat across the world, including Nigeria, due to the perceived uncertainties, fears and insecurities in the communities. Based on this backdrop, this study examined COVID-19 pandemic and insecurity in Nigeria. Convenience accidental sampling was used to administer 1671 copies of a questionnaire on residents through an online/electronic survey. Data collected were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Findings revealed that the spike in crime during the COVID-19 lockdown period is relatively higher than usual with disruption of public peace, theft and rape accounting for the most prominent crime. Meanwhile, most respondents experienced crime incidence between 6 pm and 12 midnight. Ironically, idleness, poor spatial arrangement/planning, poor governance and poverty were the major catalysts for the crime spike during the lockdown, while fear-of-fear (phobophobia) and declined socio-economic capacity were predominant effects of crime experienced. The Fisher's exact test results revealed a significant relationship between the surge in crime and COVID-19-restrictive measures. The study concludes that the insecurities during lockdown periods have caused both temporary and permanent physical and psychological havoc; hence, it recommends quick advancement of the built environment with smart security measures and social supports for the citizenry during the pandemic.

Effective urban transportation no doubt serves as engine room and catalyst for driving national economic development. Significantly, the purpose of urban transport is to provide both passenger and freight mobility over specific parts of urban areas including cities, and its efficiency is characterized upon transporting effectively and achieving economies of scale. Hence, this study examined intra-city mobility and characterization in Lagos, Nigeria. The data was sourced from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data detailed the use of two sets of questionnaires administered to commuters and motorists. 182 copies of questionnaire were randomly administered to commuters, while 60 units of the questionnaire were purposively and conveniently administered to motorists. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used for data analysis. Major findings revealed obvious variations in socio-economic parameters of intra-city trip makers and factors influencing trip making. It was observed that journey to work, school, shopping cum business constituted the major trips characterizing in Lagos. Findings also revealed that high patronage priority was given to most used and preferred means due to vehicle travel speed, trip purpose, and availability than safety and comfortability of modal choice. Regression analysis result revealed that commuters’ modal choice and patronage is statistically influenced by operational attributes of mode (e.g. transit time, delay duration, safety, vehicle condition and transit fare etc.) at Sig. p=0.000 and F14165 15.667 which is greater than table value at 5% significant level. The study recommended among others the formulation and implementation of effective policy for urban transport activities; standardization of service operations and expansion of infrastructural facilities including the last-mile in the city.

Efficient traffic survey analysis is a catalyst for achieving an efficient and advanced transport planning and sustainable urban development. Unfortunately, the obvious decline in the traffic survey on Nigerian urban roads has left the road transport system to be handicap of traffic data, quality service deliveries and characterized by traffic-related quagmires with devastating socio-economic consequences including congestion, crime and crash incidences. This paper examined traffic survey analysis on major highways in Ogun State, Nigeria using manual traffic count method for estimation of traffic volume and flow pattern. The traffic data gathered were presented and analyzed using descriptive and inferential (ANOVA and Student ‘t’ test) techniques to determine variations in vehicular traffic volume and flow situation (inbound and outbound). Findings revealed that Car/SUV is the most dominant traffic relative to others. Meanwhile, ANOVA results show significant variation in traffic volume on the selected highways (p. value < 0.05), while, the Student ‘t’ test shows no significant difference between traffic inbound and outbound. Findings also revealed that the physical condition of the highways is relatively poor. Based on these findings, the study recommended improvement measures and strategies to curtail traffic-related issues towards achieving efficient, safe, and quality road transport planning in Nigeria.

No abstract

Public transport contributes significantly to the development of socioeconomic activities and the long-term sustainability of all communities worldwide. Undoubtedly, it is a catalyst for maximizing quality urban living, social service accessibility, and environmental balance. Despite its considerable importance and benefits, public transport in Nigeria is still poorly practiced, and plagued by complex operational challenges. Based on this context, we assessed the public transport systems in Ikeja-Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ibadan cities to understand the struggle for sustainability in Nigeria. This study examined the socioeconomic and travel characteristics of passengers, the availability and condition of public transport infrastructural facilities, peculiar public transport challenges, and the best possible strategies to sustain public transport systems in Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design, while a multistage sampling technique was utilized to administer a well-validated questionnaire on the passengers at central transport nodes within the selected cities using both descriptive and inferential analysis. The results show that most of the respondents are men and spend more than 10% of their monthly income on public transport usage. Findings show that conventional public transport has been proven unpopular in Ibadan and Abeokuta cities compared to a chaotic and inadequate bus rapid system in Ikeja-Lagos. Findings also revealed traffic signal and control devices, and terminal facilities as top-two rated public transport facilities in good condition. The study revealed that public transport modes across the selected cities are operationally cracked as they are characterized by unprecedented challenges. The results of the Analysis of Variance established a statistical significant variation among the challenges mitigating sustainable public transport in the selected Nigerian cities. The study concludes and recommends, among other measures, full-adoption of appropriate mass transit options, particularly intra-city rail and the development of multimodal transport system.