- NPA to Begin $1 Million Reconstruction of Lagos Ports Next Quarter
- Dantsoho lamented that years of infrastructural decay have left Nigeria’s ports trailing smaller countries
- He stressed that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting reforms aimed at restoring investor confidence
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced that the $1 million reconstruction of Lagos ports will commence in the next quarter, a project expected to end decades of neglect of critical infrastructure.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, noted that since the construction of Tin Can Island Port 48 years ago and Apapa Port 103 years ago, no major efforts have been made to repair, upgrade, or rehabilitate the facilities.
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Speaking during a panel session at a breakfast meeting organised by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) in collaboration with Lekki Port in Lagos, Dantsoho lamented that years of infrastructural decay have left Nigeria’s ports trailing smaller countries such as Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, whose seaports now attract shippers, larger vessels, and transshipment traffic across West and Central Africa.
According to him, Nigeria’s ports currently handle about two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, far below regional competitors, despite the country’s population and trade advantages.
“Our competitors in Lome, Cotonou, Abidjan, and Tema only enjoy an advantage because we have not fixed our ports. Nigeria is the largest economy and the most populous country in Africa, yet today, Abidjan and Lome handle more cargo than Lagos. This is the gap we must urgently close,” he said.
Dantsoho added that once infrastructure, equipment, technology, manpower, and sustainability measures are aligned, cargo traffic will naturally flow back to Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the NPA is addressing equipment shortages by investing in modern cargo-handling tools, including larger cranes and tugboats for bigger vessels, with deliveries expected in the first half of 2026.
He explained that the lack of adequate equipment had posed challenges when the Dangote Refinery in Lekki began operations, forcing the agency to improvise.
The NPA boss revealed that the creation of a one-stop shop for Dangote Refinery operations, which brought 16 government agencies under the NPA, had already generated over N25 billion in revenue between October 2024 and now.
He stressed that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting reforms aimed at restoring investor confidence and reversing years of vessel and cargo diversion away from Nigerian ports.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Aminu Umar, said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is designed to harness the vast potential of Nigeria’s import-export trade, noting that shipping and maritime logistics are critical enablers of commerce and national prosperity.
He pointed out that the Lekki Deep Seaport has already proven its role as a regional hub, boosting international trade volumes and contributing to economic growth.
