By Olawale Olurotimi
The Professional Online Journalists Association of Nigeria (POJAN) recently paid a courtesy visit to renowned transport planner, security consultant, and logistics expert, Mr. Oluwasegun Alade Musa, who used the occasion to reflect on his 35 years of professional experience, philosophy of life, and deep commitment to national security and humanity.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Musa described himself as a multidisciplinary professional with vast experience across transportation planning, maritime operations, logistics, and security consultancy. According to him, February this year marks his 35th year in active professional service, spanning leadership roles at both the airport and seaport sectors. He served as Chairman at the Airport for 12 years, Chairman at Apapa Port for three years, and also represented Nigeria under ECOWAS, overseeing border-related responsibilities.
A multinational business executive and family man, Mr. Musa noted that beyond titles and achievements, his driving force has always been character and integrity. He recalled his late father’s words, which shaped his life: “Nobility of character is greater than title and wealth.” This philosophy, he said, has guided his commitment to transparency, truthfulness, humility, and service to humanity.
According to him, humility remains a key ingredient for leadership and success. “Humility helps you relate with people. When you are humble, people want to associate with you and support what you do,” he said, adding that prayer and dedication are essential companions to hard work.
Mr. Musa also shared his academic and professional journey, revealing that his initial dream was to become an aeronautic engineer in the 1980s, having gained admission into universities in the United States, including Miami University and the University of Alabama. However, circumstances prevented him from travelling abroad. He later studied Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, obtained technical certifications, and went on to earn multiple degrees and postgraduate qualifications in Shipping Management, Maritime Technology, Transport Planning, International Relations, Security, and Forensic Investigation from institutions such as OOU, FUTO, LASU, and UNILAG.
Currently, he serves as the Deputy State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and has previously held the position of Assistant Commander of Surveillance for Lagos State. He also disclosed that he contested as an ANDP governorship aspirant in Lagos State in 2019, during which he developed a comprehensive security policy for the state, including an initiative known as Instant Response on Crime.
Assessing Nigeria’s transportation and security architecture, Mr. Musa stated that the country is yet to achieve the desired level of effectiveness, stressing the need for seriousness, commitment, and strategic intelligence sharing. He emphasized that security is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of uniformed personnel, and called for widespread intelligence consciousness among citizens.
Drawing comparisons with countries like China, where he maintains business interests, Mr. Musa highlighted the use of surveillance technology, vehicle cameras, and real-time monitoring as tools for crime prevention. He advocated for similar policies in Nigeria, especially within the commercial transport sector, to enhance safety and accountability.
He also cautioned against misplacing intelligence, stressing that information must be shared with the appropriate authorities, whether police, fire service, or other relevant agencies, to avoid compromise and inefficiency.
Beyond security and governance, Mr. Musa spoke passionately about philanthropy and humanity, revealing that for over 20 years, he has used his birthdays to visit orphanages, hospitals, and the less privileged. “If God blesses you with abundance, it is not meant for you alone,” he said. “Real happiness is helping others. When people are happy because of what you do, you too will feel fulfilled.”
The POJAN delegation commended Mr. Musa for his wealth of experience, patriotic insights, and unwavering commitment to national development and humanitarian service, describing the interaction as both enlightening and inspiring.
