BY GODWIN OBI
In what promises to be the biggest overhaul of Nigeria’s seaports in decades, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has announced that a massive reconstruction and modernization of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports will begin in the first quarter of 2026 — with completion targeted within 48 months.
The NPA boss made the revelation in Kobe, Japan, during the World Ports Conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), where he also serves as Vice President (Africa).
According to Dantsoho, the groundwork for the mega project is already in motion. Extensive engineering, environmental, and design studies have been concluded, setting the stage for what he described as a transformational leap in Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
“Reconstructing ports of this magnitude takes time — it’s like building an entire city,” Dantsoho explained. “We’ve completed the preparatory phase, and by the first quarter of next year, construction will kick off in earnest. Our goal is a world-class facility ready within four years.”
He stressed that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is determined to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector to attract global investors and elevate the nation’s ports to international standards.
Dantsoho also underscored that trust, collaboration, and international partnerships are critical for success in such a capital-intensive venture.
“Ports are not built for today — they are built to last at least 50 years,” he said. “We are building relationships that guarantee long-term investment confidence. Without trust and collaboration, no project of this scale can thrive.”
He revealed that the NPA is already partnering with CrimsonLogic, a Singapore-based subsidiary of the Port Authority of Singapore, to develop Nigeria’s National Single Window System — a critical digital gateway expected to streamline port operations and attract further investments.
“These collaborations give us access to not only technology but also global financing capacity,” Dantsoho noted. “This is not something local banks can handle alone. We need strong foreign partnerships to achieve it.”
Highlighting the pace of technological change in global shipping, the NPA helmsman noted that automation, smart port systems, and even autonomous ships are reshaping global trade — and Nigeria must not be left behind.
“The world is talking about ships that sail without human crews by 2040,” he said. “We must prepare our ports to align with that future through automation and innovation.”
Dantsoho reaffirmed that Nigeria’s active participation in global port bodies — including IAPH, the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) — is helping to build credibility and investor trust.
“We are no longer spectators in the global maritime arena,” he declared. “We are now part of the bigger family — and what’s coming for Nigeria’s ports will redefine our maritime future.”
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2025-10-09