The Federal Government has completed approvals, certifications, and compliance processes for five proposed deep-seaport projects to reposition the country and reclaim over 70 percent of Nigerian-bound cargo transported to Africa. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the close of a three-day meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Lagos.
Approved Deep-Seaport Projects
Dr. Dantsoho listed the approved projects as the Badagry Deep Sea Port in Lagos State, Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ondo State, Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State, Bakassi Deep Sea Port in Cross River State, and Bonny Deep Sea Port in Rivers State. He explained that negotiations with investors are ongoing due to the huge financial commitments required, but the government has laid the regulatory and administrative groundwork necessary for implementation.
Strategic Importance
The planned port projects are expected to improve Nigeria's ability to receive larger cargo vessels, expand trade capacity, and strengthen regional logistics. Dr. Dantsoho noted that Nigeria's growing population, expanding economy, and strategic role in servicing neighbouring landlocked countries make investment in deep-sea ports inevitable. Nigeria currently accounts for over 70 percent of cargo traffic in the West and Central African sub-region, while countries such as Niger, Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso depend partly on Nigerian ports for international trade.
Short- and Long-Term Strategies
The government is pursuing a combination of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to improve port efficiency, including rehabilitation of existing ports, deployment of technology-driven systems, and development of new deep-sea infrastructure. Dr. Dantsoho added that countries across the sub-region, including Ghana, Senegal, and Benin Republic, are also modernising their port facilities in response to rising global shipping demands and competition.
Member countries are intensifying investments in port infrastructure, technology, and deep-seaport development to strengthen trade facilitation and position the region as a major global maritime hub. Dr. Dantsoho stressed that ports across the sub-region must undergo aggressive modernisation to remain competitive with other global maritime hubs, cautioning that delays in infrastructure renewal could leave Africa behind in global shipping and trade.
Technology-Driven Solutions
On the resolution of the meeting, Dr. Dantsoho said member states had resolved to deepen the deployment of technology-driven solutions, including the National Single Window platform and Port Community Systems, to improve cargo clearance processes and reduce port delays. In his closing remarks, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, reiterated the need for stronger regional cooperation, strategic investment, and inclusive development to drive transformation of the ports and the entire maritime sector across West and Central Africa. Oyetola, represented by the Director of Maritime Services, Oyinloye Meshack, said deliberations highlighted the importance of collaboration among African countries and joint action in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities within the ports and logistics ecosystem.
