Nigeria’s port industry is undergoing a transformative era marked by robust policy reforms, digitalisation, and infrastructure revamps. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho and backed by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, has taken major steps to reposition Nigeria’s ports for regional dominance.
From NPA Apapa to Onne, and Tincan to Calabar, signs of change are visible—new systems, faster clearances, smoother truck movement, and rising foreign interest in Nigeria’s maritime logistics sector. These reforms, stakeholders agree, are unlocking long-overdue efficiency and improving Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
The NPA has prioritised rehabilitation of Nigeria’s six major seaports—Apapa, Tincan, Rivers, Warri, Calabar, and Onne—with construction works already ongoing at the Tincan Island Port Complex. These projects, according to NPA sources, aim to address years of underinvestment and dilapidation that previously led to low cargo throughput and congestion.
A key highlight is the finalised agreement for the development of the $1 billion Snake Island Port within the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, marking a massive private sector investment into Nigeria’s port infrastructure. Similarly, progress continues at the Badagry Deep Seaport, Burutu, and Ondo Deep Seaports—poised to decongest Lagos and expand Nigeria’s port capacity to rival ports in Lome, Tema, and Cotonou.
One of the most acclaimed reforms is the deployment of the electronic call-up system (Eto) to control truck traffic into Lagos ports. According to the Association of Maritime Truck Owners, gridlock has significantly reduced, enabling smoother cargo evacuation. The introduction of satellite truck parks and time-belt movement has been hailed as a critical turning point in managing Apapa’s logistics nightmare.
“Since Eto was enforced, driving from Ejigbo to Apapa no longer feels like torture,” said clearing agent John Eji. “It’s saving time, fuel, and mental stress.”
The NPA’s enhanced port efficiency is already showing measurable results. Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of ₦5.81 trillion in Q3 2024, largely driven by export activities through NPA-managed terminals.
Also, global liners are increasingly choosing Nigerian ports. Recently, the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals in Onne welcomed Hapag-Lloyd’s weekly service—an addition that reaffirms Nigeria’s attractiveness as a logistics hub.
According to Himmat Ahlawat, Hapag-Lloyd’s Country MD, Nigeria remains a top African market. “Our focus on customer service and digital solutions aligns with Nigeria’s evolving port landscape,” he noted.
Nigeria’s induction into the International Port Community System Association marks a milestone in aligning with global best practices. The upcoming launch of a National Single Window (NSW) system is expected to integrate port operations electronically—ensuring seamless information flow among Customs, terminal operators, shipping lines, and regulatory bodies.
NSW implementation could fast-track Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index while reducing bureaucratic delays and cargo dwell time.
Multinational giants like Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) have expressed renewed confidence in the NPA. During a visit to the Lagos headquarters, Aliko Dangote revealed that the group’s operations at Lekki—comprising crude oil export, refined product shipment, and fertiliser movement—will involve over 800 ships annually.
“This is an operation that has never been seen in Nigeria. But with NPA’s leadership, we are very confident,” Dangote affirmed.
In the East, port investment drive is bearing fruit, with Rivers, Calabar, and Onne ports drawing serious expressions of interest from investors. Dantsoho’s administration is pushing for public-private partnership (PPP) models to monetise untapped revenue streams such as ship repairs, freshwater supply, independent power, and logistics terminals.
Despite these strides, challenges linger—chief among them, the proliferation of empty containers. Maritime research by Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) shows that between 65,000 and 100,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of empty containers are currently abandoned across Nigeria’s port space. This, stakeholders warn, poses health and environmental risks.
Eugene Nweke, SEREC’s Head of Research, blamed shipping lines for failing to evacuate empty containers and described the cost of freighting them back to origin ports as prohibitive. He also warned that 45% of containers currently circulating in Nigeria are unseaworthy.
Moreover, shippers and freight forwarders continue to decry soaring port charges and exchange rate volatility. According to the Shippers Association of Lagos State, clearing a container that cost ₦50 million in capital can now exceed ₦150 million, exacerbating business losses and loan defaults.
The Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) recently highlighted how high port charges are pushing businesses toward neighbouring West African countries. Its Chairperson, Boma Alabi, urged the government to review the port pricing regime and align it with regional competitors like Cotonou and Lome.
While challenges persist, the prevailing sentiment across the maritime sector is one of cautious optimism. NPA’s blend of policy reform, digitalisation, and stakeholder engagement under Dantsoho is gradually restoring confidence in Nigeria’s ports.
The Marine and Blue Economy Ministry has also been instrumental, offering strategic support that has helped integrate the private sector into port revitalisation plans. With ongoing investments and targeted reforms, Nigeria could soon emerge as West Africa’s logistics and maritime leader.