The Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko Dantsoho
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has intensified efforts to modernise the country’s port operations through the aggressive implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window (NSW), both of which are aimed at driving transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Speaking at the AMJON Annual Maritime Conference and Awards held over the weekend in Lagos, the Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko Dantsoho, represented by Mrs. Hadiza Usman Shu’aibu, confirmed that Nigeria has formally joined the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), a move that marks a crucial step toward full implementation of the National Single Window framework.
“This milestone positions Nigeria to fully digitise and harmonise its port operations with global standards,” Dantsoho said.
$1 Billion Port Infrastructure Upgrade Underway
The NPA chief also announced that documentation and preliminary work have commenced on the much-anticipated $1 billion upgrade of the Tincan Island Port Complex. This project is accompanied by comprehensive rehabilitation works at five additional port complexes—Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri, and Calabar—to ensure their structural and operational integrity.
According to Dantsoho, the rehabilitation projects align with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to revamp Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
Green Port Expansion in Progress
In addition to rehabilitation, Dantsoho said the NPA is pushing ahead with plans to expand port capacity and develop new environmentally sustainable port infrastructure. Ports such as Snake Island, Badagry Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaport, and Burutu Port are at different stages of development, all being supervised under the NPA’s technical guidance.
“This is part of our broader goal to build a resilient and future-proof maritime sector,” he added.
Tackling Lagos Gridlock
To address the persistent congestion around Lagos ports, the NPA says it has reinforced the electronic truck call-up system through the deployment of satellite truck parks and regulated access via time belts. These measures, according to Dantsoho, have improved the ease of doing business at the ports.
Trade Surplus Attributed to Port Efficiency
Dantsoho attributed Nigeria’s trade surplus of ₦5.81 trillion ($3.7 billion) in Q3 2024—reported by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)—to reforms undertaken in the maritime sector. He noted that operational efficiency at the ports had contributed significantly to the country’s economic performance during the period.
New Revenue Streams and PPP Initiatives
The NPA, under Dantsoho’s leadership, is also exploring new revenue channels through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Potential investment areas include Independent Power Production (IPP), development of logistics zones, bunkering services, ship repairs, and freshwater supply stations. These projects aim to transform fallow lands within the ports into viable commercial hubs.
International Recognition and Maritime Diplomacy
Highlighting the Authority’s growing regional influence, Dantsoho was recently elected President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA)—the first Nigerian to occupy the position since the group’s establishment in 1972. He is also leading diplomatic efforts to secure Nigeria’s re-admission into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which would restore the country’s voice in global maritime governance.
Port Statistics Show Record Growth in 2024
The 2024 Consolidated Management Report released by the NPA reveals a surge in maritime activity across all major indicators. Cargo throughput rose by 45.1%—from 71.2 million metric tons in 2023 to over 103.3 million metric tons in 2024—signalling increased trade volumes and improved logistics performance.
Other metrics, including ship traffic and service boat operations, also showed notable gains, indicating the overall health and resilience of the country’s port system.
“These reforms are not just abstract policy shifts. They are delivering measurable improvements that matter to Nigeria’s economy,” Dantsoho concluded.
With both physical upgrades and digital transformation underway, the NPA appears poised to usher in a new era for Nigeria’s maritime economy, an era driven by technology, global standards, and sustainable infrastructure.
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