NPA’s $1bn port modernisation programme targets trade, efficiency – Dantsoho
July 30, 2026 3:12 am
Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho…Photo Credit: NPA
Nigeria is pursuing major maritime reforms to boost trade and economic growth through a $1bn port modernisation programme, digitalisation and improved cargo efficiency. In this interview with OKECHUKWU NNODIM, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, discusses infrastructure upgrades, port competitiveness, concession renewals and strategies to position Nigeria as West and Central Africa’s leading maritime hub
The Federal Government is advancing the Port Modernisation Programme. What has the NPA recorded so far, and when should Nigerians expect noticeable changes at the nation’s ports?
The Port Modernisation Programme is our landmark initiative designed to comprehensively overhaul ageing quay walls, deepen navigational channels and fully automate terminal infrastructure across all port locations.
Physical construction works for the $1bn 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 infrastructure upgrades and operational equipment overhauls beginning from Q4 2026. Once fully phased in, the programme is projected to deliver up to a 50 per cent reduction in vessel turnaround times and significantly improve cargo-handling efficiency.
Lagos ports continue to experience congestion despite previous interventions. What additional steps is the NPA taking to improve cargo evacuation and ease delays?
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 per cent of containerised cargo via waterways directly to bonded terminals and inland depots.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, 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 leveraging the National Single Window and other digital initiatives to improve trade facilitation and lower the cost of doing business?
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, which serves as the primary digital platform for all maritime trade stakeholders.
Our systems are fully architected to integrate seamlessly with 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 reduce cargo clearance time from double-digit days to under 48 hours, thereby making Nigerian ports more competitive and predictable.
With neighbouring countries expanding and modernising their ports, what is the NPA doing to keep Nigerian ports competitive and attract more investment and cargo traffic?
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 metres to 16.5 metres across strategic channels. This will allow modern mega-container vessels to berth at 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 reported stronger revenue and operational performance in recent years. What are the authority’s key priorities over the next 12 months?
Our priorities are anchored on robust trade performance. Nigeria recorded a notable trade surplus of N7.54tn 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 through cost optimisation and digital billing accuracy; deployment of upgraded night-navigation aids to enable round-the-clock vessel manoeuvres across non-Lagos ports, including Onne, Calabar and Warri; and expansion of dedicated Export Processing Terminals to boost non-oil export volumes and support the Federal Government’s diversification agenda.
Can you provide an update on the implementation of the Port Modernisation Programme?
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 technology to monitor and safeguard Nigerian territorial waters.
Has the NPA secured international financing for the port modernisation programme?
Yes, funding has been fully secured. The $1bn 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.
The World Bank recently ranked Apapa and Tin-Can Island among the world’s most improved ports. What is the NPA doing to sustain that performance?
In the recently released World Bank Container Port Performance Index, 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, while Apapa Port ranked 12th with a 35-point increase.
To sustain and build on this ranking, we are mandating strict Service-Level Agreements with terminal operators for crane productivity and berth throughput; standardising digital manifest processing to drastically reduce ship waiting time at anchorage; and enhancing round-the-clock discharge and loading cycles to improve vessel productivity.
Several terminal operators are still awaiting long-term concession renewals. Will the NPA prioritise existing concessionaires or open the process 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 infrastructure 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.
You recently inaugurated a committee to tackle Apapa road gridlock and extortion. What progress has been made so far?
The special task force set up to tackle gridlock and extortion along the Apapa port corridors has recorded significant breakthroughs. Over 1,500 illegally parked trucks and unauthorised checkpoints along the port corridors have been dismantled.
Working alongside joint security forces, key ringleaders behind illegal toll collection and document 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.
What message would you like to leave with stakeholders?
The NPA remains unwavering in its commitment to positioning Nigeria as the leading maritime hub in Africa. We appreciate the continuous cooperation of our stakeholders, terminal operators, security partners and the media as we work together to deliver a modern, efficient and globally competitive port system.
Okechukwu Nnodim is the Business Editor at Punch Newspapers with over 16 years of journalism experience. He covers energy, including oil, gas, and power, as well as transportation, aviation, money and capital markets, environment, works and housing, agriculture, ICT, humanitarian affairs, water resources, trade, investment, and industries. Okechukwu’s reporting reflects extensive newsroom expertise, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate and comprehensive journalism.
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