Reported by Simon yusuph,| Journalist at wengglobal

Nigeria’s Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has unveiled a new strategy to tackle the long-standing challenge of extortion and harassment faced by truck drivers and freight operators across the country’s transport corridors by introducing body cameras for truckers and freight forwarders.

The initiative is designed to provide credible evidence against individuals operating illegal checkpoints and engaging in unlawful demands for money from transporters, a practice that has significantly increased the cost of doing business, delayed cargo movement, and weakened Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional trade hub.

The announcement reflects PEBEC’s broader commitment to improving Nigeria’s business environment by addressing systemic bottlenecks that discourage investment and disrupt the efficient movement of goods across the country.

According to PEBEC, the body cameras will enable truck drivers and freight forwarders to document interactions with security personnel and other officials encountered along major transport routes. The recorded footage is expected to support investigations into allegations of extortion, abuse of authority, and illegal roadblocks.

Illegal checkpoints have remained a persistent concern for businesses involved in logistics and supply chain operations. Transport unions, manufacturers, exporters, and freight operators have repeatedly complained that unauthorized roadblocks increase transportation costs through unofficial payments demanded from drivers.

Industry experts argue that these illegal charges are eventually transferred to consumers through higher prices of goods, contributing to inflationary pressures and reducing the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.

PEBEC believes that equipping transport operators with wearable recording devices will improve accountability while deterring corrupt practices. Officials involved in illegal extortion may become less willing to demand bribes if they know their actions are being recorded.

The Council also emphasized that the initiative is intended to strengthen transparency rather than create conflict between transport operators and legitimate law enforcement agencies. Genuine security personnel carrying out lawful duties are expected to have nothing to fear from documented interactions.

The body camera programme forms part of wider reforms aimed at reducing obstacles affecting trade facilitation, cargo movement, and investment in Africa’s largest economy.

For years, manufacturers and business associations have identified multiple checkpoints along major highways connecting ports, industrial centres, and northern trade routes as one of the biggest logistical challenges facing businesses in Nigeria.

The issue has attracted repeated criticism from organizations including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), freight forwarding groups, and chambers of commerce, all of which have argued that unofficial levies undermine economic productivity.

Beyond increasing operational costs, delays at checkpoints also affect the timely delivery of agricultural produce and industrial goods, resulting in avoidable losses for businesses and consumers alike.

Analysts say the success of the body camera initiative will depend largely on effective implementation, institutional cooperation, and prompt action whenever evidence of misconduct is obtained.

Experts further note that merely collecting video evidence will not be sufficient unless authorities investigate complaints transparensively and sanction officials found guilty of corruption or abuse of office.

The initiative also aligns with ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve Nigeria’s ranking in global ease-of-doing-business indicators. Reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, strengthening transparency, and promoting efficient cargo movement remain central pillars of Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

PEBEC has over the years introduced several reforms targeting business registration, port operations, regulatory efficiency, and public service delivery. The latest intervention demonstrates a growing emphasis on technology-driven accountability within public institutions.

Business leaders have welcomed measures capable of reducing informal payments across Nigeria’s logistics sector, noting that improved efficiency could attract greater domestic and foreign investment while supporting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The implementation of AfCFTA has increased the urgency of addressing transport inefficiencies across African economies. Efficient road networks, transparent border procedures, and predictable logistics systems are considered essential for maximizing the benefits of intra-African trade.

Nigeria’s freight sector plays a strategic role in connecting manufacturers, importers, exporters, agricultural producers, and consumers. Any reduction in unnecessary delays or extortion could significantly improve supply chain performance and reduce operating costs for businesses nationwide.

Observers also believe that technology-based monitoring mechanisms such as body cameras could strengthen public confidence by providing objective evidence during disputes involving transport operators and enforcement officials.

However, stakeholders have called for complementary reforms, including improved training for security personnel, harmonization of checkpoint operations, enhanced whistleblower protections, and stronger disciplinary mechanisms to ensure lasting change.

Several transport experts have also recommended establishing a centralized reporting platform where video evidence from truckers can be securely submitted, reviewed, and acted upon within clearly defined timelines.

If implemented effectively, the initiative could serve as a model for other sectors where public-facing officials regularly interact with businesses and citizens.

As Nigeria seeks to enhance economic competitiveness, reduce corruption, and improve the ease of doing business, initiatives that promote transparency and accountability are likely to receive increasing attention from policymakers, investors, and development partners.

The coming months will determine whether PEBEC’s body camera programme delivers measurable reductions in illegal checkpoints and extortion, but many industry stakeholders agree that leveraging technology to strengthen accountability represents a significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s transport and logistics ecosystem.

Sources

• Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC)
• Punch Newspapers
• The Guardian Nigeria
• BusinessDay Nigeria
• Nairametrics
• Leadership Newspaper
• TheCable