Uche Cecil Izuora
Nigeria is positioning itself as a regional leader in maritime development as it hosts the PMAWCA Board of Directors meeting in Lagos, with the Federal Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, spotlighting a wave of large‑scale port investments across West and Central Africa. In his remarks, Oyetola said Nigeria’s push to build new deep‑seaports and upgrade existing terminals is part of a broader strategy to transform the country into the preferred maritime and logistics gateway for the sub‑region.
Dantsoho, speaking in his capacity as NPA Managing Director and President of PMAWCA, disclosed that more than 27 billion dollars worth of port projects have been announced or are underway across West and Central Africa. He cited major projects such as the 20‑billion‑dollar Simandou‑Morebaya deep‑sea port in Guinea, the 2‑billion‑dollar Port San Pedro in Côte d’Ivoire, the 1.5‑billion‑dollar Lekki Deep‑Sea Port in Lagos, and major port developments in Ghana and Senegal. Within Nigeria, he highlighted ongoing investments in Apapa and Tin‑can Island ports, as well as a 600‑million‑dollar contribution by APM Terminals to the Apapa concession.
Dantsoho argued that ports must evolve from simple cargo‑handling facilities into engines of broader blue‑economy growth, capable of driving renewable marine energy, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology. He said the meeting will provide a platform for PMAWCA members to harmonise standards, share best practices, and design regional strategies that support inclusive community development alongside port expansion.
The event, running from 18 to 20 May 2026, brought together senior state and federal officials, captains of industry, and maritime leaders from across the region, including Lagos State and Taraba State governors, Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote, and Special Adviser to the President Hadiza Bala Usman, underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the future of ports and maritime trade in West and Central Africa.