Uche Cecil Izuora
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has stressed the need for faster and more comprehensive port modernisation to help Nigeria capture the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Speaking at the AMJON 2026 Annual Conference in Lagos, Dantsoho said that transforming the country’s ports is no longer a matter of choice but a key requirement for economic growth and regional competitiveness.
He noted that Nigeria’s location gives it a natural advantage as a maritime gateway for West and Central Africa, but in the AfCFTA era, its ability to leverage this advantage will depend heavily on the efficiency, reliability, and innovation embedded in port operations. He described port modernisation not simply as physical infrastructure work but as a national economic priority that cuts across trade, investment, and job creation.
Dantsoho listed major upgrades underway at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, including improvements in infrastructure, berth productivity, and efforts to reduce the time ships spend at anchor. He also highlighted the expansion of deep‑seaport capacity, particularly at Lekki Port, as a step toward increasing Nigeria’s trade handling capability. On the digital front, he said the authority is advancing the Port Community System and supporting the National Single Window to integrate stakeholders, shorten processing times, and bring greater transparency to port transactions.
He pointed to measures aimed at cutting cargo dwell time, speeding up customs clearance, and improving inland connectivity through rail links, inland dry ports, barging, and export corridors. He added that the authority is intensifying its drive to attract private sector investment and build stronger partnerships across the maritime value chain to ensure that reforms are sustainable.
Dantsoho expressed confidence that these initiatives will translate into faster port turnaround, lower logistics costs, higher trade volumes, and increased government revenue. He said they will also enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness, support employment generation, and position the country more firmly as a regional maritime hub. In his closing remarks, he said that with continued commitment and collaboration among all stakeholders, Nigerian ports are on track to become a preferred gateway for trade in West Africa and a key engine of economic diversification.