Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is stepping up efforts to reposition the nation’s seaports as engines of export-led economic growth, deploying dedicated Export Processing Terminals and cargo transit corridors to dismantle logistics bottlenecks and improve the movement of Nigerian goods to international markets.

The Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the 40th edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair, where he outlined the Authority’s reform initiatives and a $1 billion port modernisation programme designed to transform port infrastructure, attract private investment and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global trade.

Dantsoho said the Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) had been integrated into the port logistics chain to provide one-stop services for export cargo processing, documentation and pre-gating, eliminating avoidable delays and reducing cargo turnaround time.

He explained that the Authority had also established dedicated cargo transit corridors in collaboration with security and traffic management agencies to facilitate the movement of export consignments from production centres to the ports without unnecessary traffic and operational disruptions.

The initiatives, he said, were intended to address some of the structural challenges that have historically undermined Nigeria’s export competitiveness, particularly the high cost and delays associated with moving goods from farms, factories and processing centres to the seaports.

For small and medium-scale enterprises, the reforms could prove particularly significant, as improved logistics and faster cargo processing would make it easier to access international markets, expand production and compete with exporters from other countries.

Dantsoho described non-oil exports as a national economic priority, insisting that Nigeria must move beyond its traditional dependence on imports and commodity exports to become a manufacturing-driven and export-oriented economy.

He maintained that the transformation of the maritime sector was the product of deliberate policy implementation, institutional reforms and strategic leadership, stressing that the NPA occupied a pivotal position in connecting Nigerian producers and businesses with the global marketplace.

Beyond export facilitation, the NPA chief said the Authority’s $1 billion Port Modernisation Drive was opening significant investment opportunities for local and international investors interested in the development of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.

He identified the rehabilitation and expansion of facilities at Apapa, Tin Can Island, Calabar, Rivers, Delta and Onne ports as priority areas for strategic partnerships and private-sector participation.

He also listed digital and smart port solutions, including automated gates, Port Community Systems, Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) and artificial intelligence-driven logistics platforms, as emerging investment opportunities capable of improving operational efficiency and port service delivery.

Other areas identified for investment include the development of dry ports and multimodal logistics infrastructure, inland container depots, rail-port connections and cold-chain facilities to strengthen cargo evacuation and distribution networks.

Dantsoho further highlighted green port development as an important component of the modernisation agenda, pointing to opportunities in renewable energy, environmentally friendly cargo-handling equipment and sustainable waste management systems in line with global decarbonisation objectives.

He assured prospective investors that the NPA was committed to maintaining a transparent, predictable and business-friendly operating environment, supported by regulatory stability and viable investment prospects.

According to him, the modernisation programme, backed by the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, would position Nigerian ports for improved operational efficiency, increased trade volumes and greater participation in international commerce.

Dantsoho urged participants, international trade delegations and prospective investors at the Lagos International Trade Fair to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime and Blue Economy sectors.

He said the theme of the 40th edition of the fair, “40 Years of Trade, Growth and Global Connection,” aligned with the NPA’s mandate of connecting domestic enterprises to international markets and facilitating Nigeria’s integration into the global trading system.

Gloria Odion, Maritme Reporter

The Chairman of the Tin Can Island Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olawale Cole, has congratulated Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni on his birthday and appointment as Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Cole described the twin occasions as significant milestones in Akanni’s personal and professional life, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience, administrative competence and professional commitment would translate into effective leadership at the Command.

He said Akanni’s appointment presented an opportunity to further contribute to the growth of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in strengthening operational efficiency, facilitating legitimate trade and deepening engagement with critical stakeholders.

The ANLCA chairman expressed optimism that the new Acting Controller would sustain a cordial and productive relationship with licensed customs agents and other port operators, noting that effective collaboration between Customs and the business community was indispensable to efficient port operations.

Cole also congratulated the outgoing Acting Customs Area Controller of KLT, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, on his redeployment to the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port.

He commended Adigun for his contributions during his tenure at KLT, particularly his efforts towards fostering harmonious relationships with stakeholders and members of the licensed customs agents community.

According to Cole, leadership in the maritime sector requires more than the discharge of official responsibilities, as effective stakeholder engagement, mutual understanding and cooperation remain essential to institutional performance and improved service delivery.

He expressed confidence that Adigun would bring his wealth of experience, dedication and professionalism to bear on his new assignment at Onne Port, wishing him greater accomplishments in his career.

Reaffirming ANLCA’s commitment to a constructive partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service, Cole stressed that a harmonious relationship between Customs officers and licensed customs agents was critical to seamless cargo clearance, trade facilitation, revenue generation and the creation of a business-friendly port environment.

He urged stakeholders at both KLT and Onne Port to extend maximum cooperation and support to the respective officers, emphasising that collaboration between public institutions and private-sector operators remained central to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Cole wished Akanni good health, wisdom and a successful tenure as Acting Customs Area Controller of KLT, while expressing confidence in Adigun’s ability to deliver on his new assignment at Onne Port.

Funso OLOJO,Editor 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and seaport terminal operators to provide urgent operational support for the evacuation of hundreds of containers of critical electricity equipment stranded at Nigerian ports for nearly two decades.

The directive is part of efforts to implement President Bola Tinubu’s order to clear the abandoned cargoes, some of which have remained at the nation’s seaports since 2007, following years of administrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks that prevented their release.

Oyetola said the successful execution of the presidential directive would require close collaboration among the NPA, terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Power.

He consequently instructed the NPA and terminal operators to accord the assignment top priority by making adequate arrangements for cargo positioning, handling and evacuation.

“Mr President’s directive is clear, and our responsibility is to ensure its effective implementation.

“NPA and terminal operators are to give this assignment the highest priority, work seamlessly with Customs and the Ministry of Power, and provide every necessary operational support to achieve the desired result,” the Minister said.

The intervention is expected to remove operational obstacles that have kept the critical electricity equipment at the ports for years, while facilitating its eventual deployment to support Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

Oyetola reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving port efficiency, reducing cargo dwell time and ensuring that the nation’s maritime infrastructure facilitates rather than frustrates critical national development objectives.

He stressed that seaports must function as strategic gateways for economic growth, industrial expansion and infrastructure development, rather than become storage facilities for cargoes whose release is vital to national progress.

The Minister urged all relevant agencies and stakeholders to sustain the momentum of the clearance exercise, noting that prompt compliance with the presidential directive would demonstrate the government’s determination to dismantle institutional bottlenecks and accelerate the delivery of essential infrastructure projects.

The exercise also presents an opportunity to strengthen inter-agency coordination and address the operational weaknesses that have allowed critical cargoes to remain trapped in the nation’s ports for such an extended period.