Nigeria’s maritime sector is set for a major transformation as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron unveil ambitious reforms aimed at boosting port efficiency and manpower development. The strategic push, estimated at $1 billion, is expected to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry and strengthen its trade balance.
According to the NPA’s 2024 Consolidated Management Report, cargo throughput rose by 45.1%, jumping from 71.2 million metric tons in 2023 to 103.3 million in 2024. This growth contributed to a N5.81 trillion ($3.7 billion) trade surplus in Q3 2024, according to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). Riding on this momentum, the NPA is undertaking massive infrastructure upgrades, while MAN is ramping up cadet training to meet both local and international seafaring demand.
The NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by Hadiza Usman Shu’aibu at the 2025 Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) Conference, revealed that the Authority is investing heavily in port infrastructure.
The landmark $1 billion reconstruction of the Tin Can Island Port Complex is at the core of these upgrades, alongside rehabilitation works at Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri, and Calabar ports. Additionally, new ports such as Snake Island, Badagry Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaport, and Burutu Port are in different stages of development.
Dantsoho also confirmed that Nigeria has joined the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) to fast-track the National Single Window (NSW) system, which will streamline cargo clearance and reduce trade bottlenecks.
Furthermore, truck congestion in Lagos ports is being addressed with an upgraded electronic truck call-up system featuring satellite parks and time-belt scheduling, which has improved cargo turnaround time.
To diversify revenue, the NPA is exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) in bunkering services, logistics parks, ship repair yards, and independent power generation for ports.
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, is positioning itself as a leading African maritime training hub. Speaking on behalf of Acting Rector Dr. Kevin Okonna, MAN’s spokesperson Domo Umoekpe said the Academy has invested in cutting-edge training infrastructure, including:
Four IMO-compliant simulators
Free Fall Lifeboat with launching davit
Engineering labs and survival pools
Marine exhibition hall and digital e-library
The Academy runs three core schools – Engineering, Nautical Studies, and Maritime Transport Studies – alongside a Seafarers Training Centre offering STCW-compliant short courses. Its simulator-based training covers 12 fully accredited courses, and it now attracts foreign students while partnering with IMarEST, the Nautical Institute (UK), and CIOTA for global-standard sea-time placements.
Okonna noted, “We are not just training cadets; we are shaping professionals who will drive maritime growth across Africa.”
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, has been instrumental in driving these reforms. Analysts believe that the combined efforts of the NPA and MAN will not only strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness but also position the country as a regional maritime leader.
With Dantsoho elected as President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Nigeria seeking re-election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the country’s maritime profile is set to grow significantly.
Experts say if fully implemented, these reforms could generate thousands of jobs, reduce dependency on foreign shipping services, and unlock billions in non-oil revenue.