Tag: Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced a $1 million reconstruction project for the ageing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, set to begin next quarter.

This marks the first major attempt to repair the crumbling facilities, which are 103 and 48 years old respectively, after multi-decade neglect.

However, the NPA simultaneously revealed a crippling $2 billion funding gap is stalling the development of new deep seaports, leaving Nigeria trailing behind regional competitors. The authority admitted that investor apathy, driven by cargo diversion to other countries and a lack of return on investment, is a primary obstacle.

NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho deplored the decades of neglect that have allowed the ports of Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana to become preferred destinations for shippers, larger vessels, and transshipment traffic, despite Nigeria’s larger economy and population.

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“Our competitors in Lome, Cotonou, Abidjan and Tema are only enjoying an advantage because we have not fixed our ports,” Dantsoho stated during a breakfast meeting organised by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) in collaboration with Lekki Port, in Lagos.

“By every global indicator, Nigeria is the largest economy and the most populous country in Africa, yet today, Abidjan and Lome handle higher volumes than Lagos. This is the gap we must urgently close,” he added.

He highlighted that the nation’s ports currently handle about two million TEUs yearly, far below regional competitors. To address immediate equipment shortages that recently affected operations at the Dangote Refinery, the NPA, he said, is investing in modern cargo-handling equipment, including larger cranes and tugboats capable of serving bigger vessels, with deliveries scheduled for the first half of 2026.

On the deep seaport strategy, Dantsoho cautioned that approved concepts for ports in Badagry, Olokola, Oron, Bakassi, Ibom, Agge, and Bonny cannot be developed for less than $2 billion each—a scale beyond local banks or government financing. He revealed that the Badagry Deep Seaport remains stalled after nearly 60 years of planning, with funding needs standing at $3.7 billion.

“No group of people in Nigeria can sit and give you $3.7 billion. It has to come from international partnerships and private sector investors,” Dantsoho said. He also pointed to a shift in global shipping strategy, with major carriers pivoting to medium-sized ships, which raises questions about the relevance of building new ports solely for mega-vessels.

Further exacerbating the crisis, former NIMASA Director-General Dr. Temisan Omatseye warned that a ban on ship-to-ship (STS) operations, triggered by a directive from a former Central Bank official, had pushed vital vessel traffic to Lome. He urged the NPA to leverage Lekki Port not as a competitor, but as a transit hub to feed smaller ports and decongest Apapa and Tin Can.

Furthermore, Omatseye stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as the premier shipping destination in West and Central Africa.

Stakeholders also questioned past port development funds. President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Emeka Nwokeoji, asked: “Where is that money going to? How come the government will just pocket this seven per cent port development fee and they will share it out there? If they had been taking it one port at a time to fix the infrastructure, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

He also lamented that shippers still pay war risk insurance premiums despite improved security, making freight costs to Nigeria higher.

Despite the challenges, the Lekki Deep Seaport was presented as a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Wang Qiang, described its “playbook” as featuring a bankable structure, predictable regulation, and local content. He revealed that since commencing transshipment in 2023, it has helped reposition Nigeria as a hub under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

He said: “The Lekki Port Playbook aligns with the National Policy for Marine and Blue Economy. Adoption of the playbook can further optimise Nigeria’s potential for maritime infrastructure and technology development; significant revenue generation; job creation and strategic economic diversification.

“When Lekki Port commenced transshipment operations in 2023, it positioned the country as a transshipment hub under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This has helped regain the maritime businesses formerly lost to other West African countries,” he said.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is projecting a revenue leap to N1,279,894,610,343 this year, representing a 40 per cent increase from the N894,864,254,591 it realized last year.

This ambitious target, the Authority said, is anchored on modernization efforts, the full activation of the Dangote Refinery’s marine operations, and the deployment of cutting-edge technology to enhance port efficiency.

Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this in a presentation during a budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours yesterday, where he defended the agency’s 2025 budget estimates and provided insights into its 2024 performance.

“Our 2025 budget proposal is more than figures, it reflects our aspirations for a more efficient, globally competitive port system,” Dantsoho told lawmakers, adding that over 70 per cent of the proposed expenditure will go into capital projects.

For 2024, the Authority surpassed its revenue target of N865.39 billion, posting an actual realization of N894.86 billion.

However, Dantsoho revealed that only N417.86 billion, less than half of the approved N850.92 billion expenditure, had been spent as of the time of reporting.

Despite this, NPA made a record contribution of N400.8 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in 2024, nearly double the N213.23 billion remitted in 2023. Of this amount, a staggering N344.7 billion was deducted at source.

“This shows our unwavering commitment to national revenue generation, even when our own operational liquidity is affected,” the NPA boss stressed.

Dantsoho said the projected revenue increase is premised on several key assumptions and developments, including:  the full operation of the Dangote Refinery, which alone is expected to draw in over 600 vessels annually through its Single Point Mooring (SPM) system; the commissioning of upgraded terminals at WACT and OMT, which will enhance container traffic; the implementation of automation tools such as the National Single Window, Port Community System (PCS), and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS); and increased cargo volumes stemming from global disruptions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has affected global trade routes.

He said the 2025 revenue is expected to come from Ship Dues, N544.06 billion; Cargo Dues, N413.06 billion; Concession Fees, N249.69 billion; and Administrative Revenue, ₦73.07 billion

Of the proposed N1.14 trillion total expenditure for this year, N778.46 billion is earmarked for capital projects.

This investment, he said, will target the revitalization of critical infrastructure, including the Calabar, Warri, and Burutu ports and channels, and enhance towage services, channel depth, and compliance with international security conventions.

“Investments in infrastructure and technology are non-negotiable if we are to stay competitive regionally and globally,” Dantsoho emphasized.

He cited increasing competition from neighboring ports and aging assets across Nigeria’s coastal corridors.

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The NPA also intends to address technology gaps by upgrading legacy systems and bolstering cybersecurity, ensuring Nigerian ports meet global standards for digital operations.

“We can say that with timely access to internally generated revenue and capital funds NPA would deliver the kind of impact Nigeria expects,” he said.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, urged the NPA to ramp up performance, improve port infrastructure, and play a greater role in addressing Nigeria’s revenue and unemployment challenges.

Nnaji said the ports remain a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, and urged the agency to meet rising expectations despite operational challenges.

“No country can thrive economically without high-performing ports. They are the economic heartbeat of every nation, determining how buoyant a country is through the flow of imports and exports,” he said.

Lauding the NPA for its performance, Nnaji stressed that the NPA’s performance has implications beyond maritime activity, noting that increased port output can significantly boost job creation across several sectors.

“The NPA is not just a revenue-generating agency; it is a national asset in terms of employment and economic impact.

“We expect to see detailed strategies on how to improve revenue generation and expand employment opportunities through your 2025 budget,” he said.

The lawmaker also pointed to growing interest in the development of new ports across the country but cautioned against neglecting existing port infrastructure.

“As we welcome investment in new ports, we must not abandon the old ones. Maintaining and upgrading our existing ports, both in the Eastern Corridor and the Western axis, is essential to long-term sustainability,” he added.

The Committee called for a clear outline from the NPA on how its 2025 financial plan will address pressing national concerns and reaffirm Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global maritime trade.

The  Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has berthed the largest container vessel – Kota Carum at Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State.

This,  NPA said, underscores OMT’s growing prominence as a hub for large-scale maritime trade in West Africa by cutting down logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.

The vessel, flying the Singaporean flag, the Kota Carum is owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), one of Asia’s leading shipping companies.

 The mega container vessel, measuring an impressive 301.43 metres in length overall, arrived at the OMT jetty at 10:30 hours and was safely berthed by 10:50 hours, utilising berths 9 and 10 is not just a win for OMT, it is a win for the Nigerian economy based on its ability to berth larger vessels means, enhance direct cargo movement, reduced logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country. 

Boasting a capacity of 6,606 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), Kota Carum, findings revealed, is a major addition to the line of large vessels now calling Onne Port. During its 55-hour port stay, the vessel will discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619 containers—including export-bound cargo and empty containers.

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Speaking at a reception to welcome the vessel, Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, described the call as a landmark event not only for the terminal but for Nigeria’s maritime industry at large.

He said: “We are incredibly honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne. Following the arrival of the Kota Cempaka last year, this achievement reflects our continued growth, our strategic investments in terminal infrastructure, and our unwavering commitment to operational excellence,” Stewart stated.

Stewart stated that OMT’s ongoing modernisation efforts, including the acquisition of additional state-of-the-art cranes, have significantly enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and reduced vessel turnaround time.

He added the economic advantages of hosting such large vessels at Nigerian ports, explaining that direct calls by larger ships eliminate the need for transshipment via smaller feeder vessels—cutting down logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.

“This is not just a win for OMT, it’s a win for the Nigerian economy. The ability to berth larger vessels means more direct cargo movement, reduced logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country. Freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transshipment,” Stewart said.

Chief Operating Officer expressed appreciation to the NPA for its vital support in creating an enabling environment for OMT to thrive.

“We have an excellent working relationship with the Port Manager, Mr. Abdulrahmon Hussain, and the entire team at the NPA. The leadership of the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has been instrumental in our success. Allowing a vessel of this magnitude to berth at our terminal is a vote of confidence in our capabilities,” he added.

He called on the Federal Government to allocate more funding for channel dredging at the Onne Port to accommodate more larger vessels and further boost trade volumes.

“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But for us to unlock the full potential of Onne Port, additional dredging is essential. We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels,” Stewart appealed.

In his address, the Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, reaffirmed NPA’s technical readiness to handle large vessels.

“At the NPA, we are fully equipped—both in training and technology—to safely pilot large vessels into our ports. The successful berthing of Kota Carum is evidence of our capacity and professionalism,” Ezra said.

The successful hosting of Kota Carum marks a significant leap forward for OMT and positions Onne Port as a viable gateway capable of accommodating global trade routes. As more shipping lines look toward West Africa, OMT’s infrastructure, efficiency, and strategic location continue to attract increasing volumes of international maritime traffic.

Determined to reposition the nation’s ports as a globally competitive logistics hub, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has unveiled a series of strategic steps aimed at consolidating and expanding operations, including entrenching a 24-hour operations across all port locations in the country.

The move which aligns with global standards, is expected to significantly improve cargo turnaround time, reduce vessel delays, and cut down logistics costs, ultimately boosting the country’s trade competitiveness.

Managing Director, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, made this known at the 5th edition of JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall meeting held in Lagos at the weekend.

At the event with the theme: “Bridging the Gaps to Actualise 24-Hour Port Operations”, Dantsoho, represented by the Port Manager of the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC), Lawal Ibrahim, provided a comprehensive overview of the authority’s ongoing initiatives and future roadmap.

According to him, the authority has already implemented several critical components of 24-hour port operations, particularly in Lagos ports. These include round-the-clock pilotage, marine services, vessel traffic management, and electronic systems that streamline cargo flow and vessel movement.

 “Pilotage services are operated 24 hours in all pilotage districts, ensuring continuous vessel movement for berthing and sailing. Marine services such as towage and mooring are also run in shifts to guarantee safety and availability,” Dantsoho explained.

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The NPA boss noted that, while significant progress has been made in achieving 24-hour operations at the Lagos ports, other port locations across the country continue to face limitations due to persistent security and infrastructural challenges. To bridge these gaps, the NPA, he said, is implementing a series of strategic interventions. These, he said, include strengthening maritime security through enhanced collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy, and the deployment of assets under the Deep Blue Project to combat security threats at non-Lagos ports.

He explained that the Authority is also working to ensure round-the-clock availability of customs officers to facilitate prompt documentation and cargo clearance. In addition, infrastructure upgrades such as the installation of adequate lighting at key port access points and terminals are underway to support safe nighttime operations.

He said: “A major part of the reform effort is the accelerated deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), a digital platform that will integrate all port stakeholders to enable real-time data exchange and improve operational transparency and efficiency across the port ecosystem.

 “Once PCS is fully deployed, it will significantly enhance the coordination of 24-hour operations by enabling seamless communication between shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and regulatory agencies.”

According to Dantsoho, “With stronger inter-agency collaboration, enhanced digital systems, and security frameworks in place, Nigerian ports will meet ministerial targets and position themselves as key players in the global maritime trade ecosystem.”

He also highlighted that exit gate operations at both the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) and Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) are functional around the clock, significantly enhancing truck ingress and egress. In addition, he said digital innovations like the automated billing system and the Eto electronic call-up system have streamlined cargo evacuation and minimised gridlock on port access roads.

Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Bolaji Sumola, reinforced the urgency of adopting 24-hour operations as a national imperative. He argued that Nigeria’s current port efficiency lags behind global benchmarks and called for a holistic transformation anchored on sustainability and technology.

 “If we are to fully leverage our maritime advantages, we must operate on a 24-hour schedule like many global port hubs,” Sumola declared.

 “Modern seaports like Singapore, Rotterdam, Busan are active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their uninterrupted activity allows for quicker vessel turnaround, optimised cargo flows, and synchronised hinterland logistics.”

He warned that limited port hours in Nigeria result in discharge delays, increased shipping costs, and logistical inefficiencies that hurt the economy. Citing a 2023 NBER working paper, he said, “Increasing port efficiency from the 25th to the 75th percentile globally can reduce shipping costs by as much as 12 per cent.”

Sumola identified key gaps stalling full adoption of 24-hour port operations, including fragmented regulation, poor night-time safety, outdated infrastructure, and low digital integration. “While global ports use predictive analytics, digital twins, and smart surveillance, our ports still grapple with rigid shifts and minimal night-shift safety measures,” he noted.

He also emphasised the importance of uninterrupted power, calling for a pivot to renewable energy models such as solar photovoltaic systems, hybrid microgrids, and AI-powered smart energy management.

 “Ports like Jurong in Singapore and the Port of Los Angeles are already using solar to power terminals. Nigerdock on Snake Island offsets 40% of its daytime power using solar, cutting over 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. We can scale this,” Sumola said.

The NPCC boss unveiled a comprehensive, phased roadmap aimed at transforming Nigerian seaports into smart, green, and globally competitive logistics hubs. Central to this vision, he noted, is the full deployment of the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window platform, which will digitise customs processes, cargo handling, and intermodal coordination.

The plan, he stated, also includes major infrastructure upgrades, such as the modernisation of cranes, lighting, scanners, and control systems, alongside improved road and rail connectivity to ensure efficient 24/7 cargo evacuation. According to Sunmola, to enhance workforce efficiency, the roadmap proposes labour reforms, including the adoption of structured three-shift systems, provision of night allowances, and implementation of strict safety protocols.

“Additionally, the NPCC aims to streamline port governance by integrating overlapping regulatory functions into a unified operational command that enables real-time data sharing among relevant agencies. In a bid to embrace sustainability, the council is also supporting pilot solar energy projects in Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne ports, backed by partnerships with development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB),” he said.

Finally, performance benchmarking will play a key role, according to Sunmola, with the establishment of clear key performance indicators (KPIs) covering vessel turnaround times, energy consumption, safety standards, and equipment uptime, supported by platforms like the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s Port Service Support Portal (PSSP) for continuous monitoring and stakeholder feedback.

He concluded with a call to action: “Nigeria holds comparative advantages that can make us a maritime leader in Africa – our central location in the Gulf of Guinea, vast market, and youthful ICT-savvy population. If we modernise wisely, we will not just run 24-hour ports, we will operate smarter, greener, and more competitively.”

Both the NPA and NPCC appear aligned on the urgent need for reform, but the success of the nation’s port modernisation agenda, stakeholders insist, will depend on coordinated investments, inter-agency collaboration, and strong political will.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has assured stakeholders within and outside the port industry that the Authority would not relent in supporting the rights and equality for all women and girls and to practically create opportunities for women and girls within and outside the NPA to be empowered to attain the highest level of their abilities.

Dantsoho made the remarks during his address to mark the celebration of the 2025 International Womens Day (IWD) with the theme: “Accelerate Action for Gender equality”, stated that the authority remains steadfast in participating in the International Women’s Day celebration and also creating systems and structures that promote women’s rights and empowerment in Nigeria.

He stated that the NPA has been actively recognising and advocating for women’s rights and equality in the Ports Authority, saying the organization does not put any limit on the capacity of women and the possibilities available to them.

He said: “For us in the Nigerian Ports Authority, we do not see IWD as another day to pay lip service to women’s rights and economic empowerment. Rather, it is a day to reflect on what we have done and to commit to doing even more.”

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He affirmed that the authority since its inception has been very devoted to championing women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Some of our laudable achievements in this regard, he said, “ include: Extension in the period of maternity leave of women to six months; Ensuring that getting pregnant out of wedlock does not stop a woman from getting what is due to her; Giving nursing mothers the privilege of reporting for duty one hour after the official resumption time and closing an hour earlier than the official closing time every day; and ensuring that women are in charge of key responsibilities at the Authority.”

He noted that currently NPA has a woman serving as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Vivian C. Richard-Edet, and in recent years, have had at least 12 women General Managers and Port Managers.

In addition to leadership roles, Dantsoho said, Nigerian women are embedded into the different units and arms of the NPA. This is as women work as pilots, in the fire service, as security officials, medical personnel and engineers within the Ports Authority.

“These are just some examples of the ways the NPA has and is actively recognising and advocating for women’s rights and equality.

We do not put any limit on the capacity of women and the possibilities available to them,” he stated.

He added that despite the feats the NPA has achieved as an organisation, it is not yet uhuru when women and girls are still being subjected to various forms of discrimination, in-equality, injustice and abuse because of their gender.

“As an organisation, we promise to remain unrelenting in supporting the rights and equality for all women and girls and to practically create opportunities for women and girls within and outside the NPA to be empowered to the best of their abilities,” he said.