JCN Consulting, On The Highway Africa Celebrate Three Decades of Highway Journalism
By Daphne Uduneje
As Nigeria continues to grapple with road safety concerns, deteriorating highway infrastructure, traffic congestion and the search for sustainable transport alternatives, the role of specialised journalism in shaping public discourse and influencing policy has become increasingly significant.
Against this backdrop, JCN Consulting and On The Highway Africa, an industry publication covering the transport and highway sectors, are set to commemorate 30 years of reporting, advocacy and engagement on highway-related issues in Nigeria and across Africa.
The anniversary celebration, tagged JCN @ 30 (1996–2026): 30 Years On The Highway, will hold on November 3, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 9 a.m.
The event is expected to bring together stakeholders from the transport, automotive, road safety, security, logistics, government and corporate sectors to examine the evolution of highway journalism, assess developments in Nigeria’s road transport system and explore pathways towards safer and more sustainable mobility.
Beyond marking an organisational milestone, the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between specialised journalism, public awareness and the policy conversations required to address persistent challenges in the country’s highway sector.
Highway Safety and Infrastructure in Focus
For Nigeria,where road transport remains central to passenger movement, commercial activities and the distribution of goods, the condition of highways has far-reaching implications for economic productivity, public safety and national development.
Poor road conditions, traffic congestion, road crashes and the effectiveness of emergency rescue services continue to feature prominently in discussions about the country’s transport infrastructure.
These issues are expected to take centre stage at the anniversary lecture, alongside emerging conversations around Nigeria’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered mobility.
The organisers have proposed two themes for the event: “30 Years On The Highway: Safety, Security and Sustainability – From Bad Roads to CNG Revolution” and “The Nigerian Highway in 2026: Roads, Roils & Rescue – Auditing Pain, Progress and the Pathway to Safe Mobility.”
Both themes underscore the need to examine the realities confronting highway users while considering the opportunities presented by infrastructure improvements, stronger road safety measures, effective emergency response systems and cleaner transport alternatives.
The focus on CNG-powered mobility also reflects the changing dynamics of Nigeria’s transport sector, as operators, policymakers and other stakeholders explore alternative fuel options and their implications for transportation costs, energy use and environmental sustainability.
However, the transition to alternative fuels must be accompanied by adequate infrastructure, effective regulation, safety awareness and sustained public education to deliver lasting benefits.
Three Decades of Specialised Journalism
Since its establishment in 1996, On The Highway Africa has maintained a presence in discussions surrounding road conditions, traffic management, road safety and the experiences of highway users.
Through its coverage of developments in the transport and highway sectors, the publication has sought to draw attention to the challenges confronting motorists and other road users while advocating safer roads and improved mobility.
Its expansion into discussions on CNG adoption and sustainable transportation also reflects the changing priorities of the industry and the need for specialised publications to keep pace with emerging policy, technology and infrastructure developments.
In a sector where public safety depends partly on access to timely information and sustained public awareness, highway journalism serves as an important link between road users, government agencies, transport operators and other stakeholders.
The anniversary, therefore, offers an opportunity to assess how far Nigeria has progressed in addressing longstanding highway challenges and identify areas requiring renewed attention.
It also presents an opportunity to examine the contribution of specialist media to public education, accountability and the development of a stronger road safety culture.
As Nigeria’s transport system evolves, the continued relevance of highway journalism will depend not only on reporting incidents and infrastructure developments but also on providing context, scrutinising policy implementation and promoting informedc onversations about the future of mobility.
Chi-Nwaoha Reflects on 30-Year Journey
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, the Publisher and Chief Executive of JCN Consulting, Mrs Julie Chi-Nwaoha, described the milestone as an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of stakeholders, readers, partners and road users who have supported the organisation
throughout its journey.
“This is not just about me; it is about every road user, every stakeholder, every reader who has believed in our brand.
Thirty years on the highway is by God’s grace and the support of great people who believe in me,” she said.
Her remarks highlight the collective effort behind sustaining a specialised publication over three decades, particularly within an industry where road safety, infrastructure development and transport policy remain critical public concerns.
Chi-Nwaoha said the organisation intended to use the anniversary to celebrate its achievements, reflect on its journey and project the future of safe and sustainable mobility in Nigeria.
The milestone also provides an opportunity for the organisation to recognise the relationships it has built with industry stakeholders and reaffirm its commitment to highway reporting and advocacy.
Legacy Publication, Industry Engagement
As part of the celebration, the organisers will unveil a special legacy magazine edition documenting three decades of highway journalism and the publication’s contributions to road safety advocacy and public awareness.
The edition is expected to serve as a record of the publication’s journey, capturing aspects of the developments, concerns and conversations that have shaped highway and transport reporting over the years.
The anniversary is also expected to provide a platform for industry engagement, bringing together public and private sector stakeholders to exchange perspectives on Nigeria’s highway development and transport safety priorities.
According to the management, media partners, sponsors and well-wishers have begun indicating interest in supporting the event, reflecting the anticipated participation of stakeholders in the celebration.
For the organisers, the gathering represents more than a commemoration of longevity. It is an opportunity to renew attention to the challenges facing Nigeria’s highways and the collective responsibility of government, transport operators, road safety agencies, businesses and the media in addressing them.
As On The Highway Africa marks 30 years of reporting on the sector, the broader challenge remains how to translate decades of public discussion and advocacy into safer roads, more effective emergency response, improved infrastructure and a transport system that supports economic growth.
The November 3 celebration will provide a platform to revisit these priorities while recognising the publication’s three-decade engagement with highway issues in Nigeria and Africa.
