Stakeholders have called for the deployment of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, automation, robotics, digital twins, and smart logistics systems in the management of Nigerian ports to enhance efficiency. This is expected to boost cargo movement, lower operating costs, increase revenue generation, and improve global competitiveness.
The call was made during the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria’s (AMJON) yearly conference and awards held in Apapa, Lagos, with the theme: ‘Attaining Port Efficiency in the Face of Emerging Technology’.
Former Lawmaker Highlights Global Best Practices
A former member of the Federal House of Representatives for Apapa Federal Constituency, Mufutau Egberongbe, said emerging technologies are transforming port operations and offering practical solutions to challenges worldwide, including congestion, delays, high operating costs, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental concerns. He called for accelerating digital transformation across all port processes, upgrading obsolete cargo-handling equipment, private-sector technology investment, integrating sustainability into port modernisation, developing smart transport corridors around ports, strengthening cybersecurity systems, and benchmarking them against global best practices.
Egberongbe cited global ports such as the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Singapore, and the Port of Shanghai that are using smart systems to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. He highlighted the indicators of port efficiency, including vessel turnaround time, cargo dwell time, crane productivity, truck turnaround time, Customs clearance speed, cost per container handled, safety records, and environmental performance.
“Port efficiency refers to the ability of a port to handle vessels, cargo, trucks, and logistics operations with minimum delay, reduced cost, high productivity, safety, and customer satisfaction,” he stated.
NPA MD Emphasises AfCFTA Opportunities
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said Nigeria’s ports must be modern, efficient, technology-driven, and globally competitive if the country is to fully benefit from the new opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), such as industrial growth and regional integration. Dantsoho, who was represented by the Tin Can Port Manager, Abubakar Isa, stated that while Nigeria is naturally positioned to serve as a leading maritime and logistics hub for West and Central Africa, leadership today depends on efficiency, speed, innovation, and reliability.
He said under AfCFTA, competition will favour countries with stronger logistics systems and smarter ports, transforming Nigerian ports into both urgent and essential. Dantsoho said Nigeria’s ports are moving from outdated systems to modern infrastructure, from delay to efficiency, and from potential to performance, adding that the ongoing reforms in the country will deliver faster port operations, lower logistics costs, increase trade volumes, higher government revenue, stronger export competitiveness, create more jobs, and boost Nigeria’s emergence as a regional hub.
NPCC Chairman Advocates for AI and Blockchain
The Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Bolaji Sunmola, said AI and big data analytics must be embedded into port operations for vessel scheduling, berth allocation, predictive equipment maintenance, and customs risk profiling to eliminate guesswork and significantly reduce the human discretion that often enables corruption. Sunmola, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, NPCC, Jean Chiazor-Anishere, also called for blockchain technology for an immutable, transparent record of all port transactions — from bills of lading to cargo documentation and charge schedules.
According to him, this single intervention can dramatically reduce document fraud and unofficial levies that inflate the cost of cargo clearing. He called for the Internet of Things (IoT) through smart containers, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, and sensor-enabled yards, which provide real-time cargo visibility from ship to final destination.
