In this interview, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubarkar Dantsoho explained that the Federal Government is repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector through a $1 billion port modernisation programme and digital reforms, led by the NPA.He said the initiatives target infrastructure renewal, reduced congestion, faster cargo clearance and improved trade facilitation. He also discusses reforms, global rankings and competitiveness.
The federal government has continued to push the Port Modernisation Programme. What progress has the NPA made so far, and when should Nigerians expect visible improvements in port infrastructure and operations?
The Port Modernisation programme is our landmark initiative designed to comprehensively overhaul aging quay walls, deepen navigational channels, and fully automate terminal infrastructure across all port locations.
Physical construction works for the $1 billion port modernisation programme will officially commence by the end of Q3 2026. Ahead of that, we are wrapping up all final non-construction prerequisites. This includes extensive host community engagements and stakeholder consultations to prepare port communities for the deployment of heavy equipment and civil works.
Nigerians can therefore expect to see major physical infrastructural upgrades and operational equipment overhauls beginning from Q4 2026. Once fully phased in, the programme is projected to deliver up to a 50% reduction in vessel turnaround times and significantly improve cargo handling efficiency.
Despite various interventions, congestion around the Lagos ports remains a concern. What new measures is the NPA implementing to improve cargo evacuation and reduce delays for port users?
To permanently resolve landside bottlenecks around the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Port Complexes, we are undertaking a major upgrade of the Electronic Call-Up System (Eto). The upgrade will tighten security integration within the Eto platform to eliminate illegal human intervention and the issuance of fraudulent call-up slips.
In addition, we have expanded barge operations to move over 30% of containerised cargo via waterways directly to bonded terminals and inland depots.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), regular freight rail operations connecting the Lagos Port Complex directly to the Kano and Kaduna Dry Ports are now active. This has significantly reduced truck density on port corridor roads and offers a more cost-effective evacuation option for port users.
How is the NPA aligning its operations with the National Single Window initiative and other digital reforms to enhance trade facilitation and reduce the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports?
Digitalisation is the cornerstone of our strategy to eliminate procedural delays and lower the cost of doing business. The NPA has fast-tracked the full deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), which serves as the primary digital core for all maritime trade actors.
Our systems are 100% architected to plug seamlessly into the Federal Government’s National Single Window project. This single-point filing system will consolidate customs clearance, agency inspections, and port billing. Our target is to bring down cargo clearance dwell time from double-digit days to under 48 hours, thereby making Nigerian ports more competitive and predictable.
With neighbouring countries investing heavily in their ports, what strategies is the NPA pursuing to make Nigerian ports more competitive and attract greater cargo traffic and private investment?
To maintain Nigeria’s position as the preferred maritime hub of West and Central Africa, we are executing critical maintenance and deep-dredging campaigns to achieve draft depths of 14.5 meters to 16.5 meters across strategic channels. This will allow modern mega-container vessels to berth in Nigerian ports.
Additionally, following the success of the Lekki Deep Seaport, we are accelerating supervisory and regulatory support for greenfield deep seaport developments in Badagry, Cross River, and Ondo States.
We are also providing clear legal frameworks and long-term investment security to global port operators and logistics investors to boost confidence in the Nigerian maritime sector.
The NPA has recorded improvements in revenue and operational performance in recent years. What are the Authority’s priorities for sustaining this growth, and what should stakeholders expect over the next 12 months?
Our priorities are anchored on robust trade performance. Nigeria recorded a notable trade surplus of N7.54 trillion in Q1 2026 alone, and we are positioned to support this momentum.
Over the next 12 months, stakeholders should expect: Sustained revenue remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) through cost optimization and digital billing accuracy; deployment of upgraded night-navigation aids to enable round-the-clock vessel maneuvers across non-Lagos ports, including Onne, Calabar, and Warri; and expansion of dedicated Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) to boost non-oil export volumes and support the Federal Government’s diversification agenda.
What is the update on port modernisation efforts?
Port modernisation goes beyond civil works. It also encompasses green port initiatives, channel clearance, and automated vessel tracking.
We are currently acquiring state-of-the-art tugboats and pilot cutters, rehabilitating damaged quay walls at Tin-Can and Apapa, and installing modern Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) technology to monitor and safeguard Nigerian territorial waters.
Still on port modernisation, has NPA secured funding from international partners?
Yes, funding has been fully secured. The $1 billion port reconstruction loan was negotiated with reputable foreign financing partners and international lending institutions.
We have completed the financial structuring and administrative terms. While loan servicing obligations have commenced as scheduled, the physical deployment of capital is synchronised directly with the Q3 2026 site mobilisation.
Recently, the World Bank rated Apapa and Tin-Can Ports amongst the world’s most improved ports. What is NPA doing to sustain this ranking?
In the recently released World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), both Tin-Can Island Port and Apapa Port were listed among the Top 20 Most Improved Ports globally. Specifically, Tin-Can Island Port ranked 10th globally with a 42-point improvement, and Apapa Port ranked 12th with a 35-point increase.
To sustain and build on this ranking, we are: Mandating strict Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) with terminal operators for crane productivity and berth throughput; standardising digital manifest processing to drastically reduce ship wait-times at anchorage; and enhancing round-the-clock discharge and loading cycles to improve vessel productivity.
Many terminal operators are yet to secure their long-term port concession renewal from the NPA/FG. Is the NPA looking to grant long-term concessions to affected concessionaires, or is the agency open to new investors?
The NPA is committed to building a robust and transparent legal framework for all terminal concession renewals. As we say, “it is better to get it right than to rush into agreements that will be challenged later.”
We are currently reviewing existing contracts to resolve past unmet obligations from both parties. For existing operators who satisfy revised operational, financial, and infrastructural investment requirements, long-term concession renewals will be finalised.
Where performance benchmarks are not met or contracts lapse without agreement, the Authority remains open to competitive bidding from reputable international port management investors to guarantee optimal asset productivity.
Recently, you set up a committee on Apapa Road gridlock and extortion. How far has the task force gone with that directive?
The special taskforce set up to tackle gridlock and extortion on the Apapa port corridors has recorded significant breakthroughs. Over 1,500 illegally parked trucks and unauthorized checkpoints along the port corridors have been dismantled.
Working alongside joint security forces, key ringleaders behind illegal tolling and paper falsification have been arrested and handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
We have also integrated digital surveillance cameras along primary access routes, including the Mile 2 and Ijora axes, to monitor traffic flow in real time and rapidly respond to deliberate disruptions.
