Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho
FG approves certification processes for five deep seaport projects to recover over 70% of Nigerian-bound cargo lost to other African nations
The Federal Government has approved the certification and compliance processes for five proposed deep seaport projects, a move aimed at reclaiming the more than 70 per cent of Nigerian-bound cargo currently being transported to other African countries.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar 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.
Dantsoho disclosed this at the close of a three-day meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), which included member ports and the Port Statisticians Network, held in Lagos.
Speaking also as President of PMAWCA, he explained that while negotiations with investors are ongoing due to the substantial financial commitments required for such projects, the government has already completed the necessary regulatory and administrative groundwork for implementation.
“In terms of approvals, certifications and compliance issues, we have taken care of five different deep-sea ports in Nigeria,” Dantsoho said.
He noted that the planned port projects are expected to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to receive larger cargo vessels, expand trade throughput, and strengthen regional logistics.
He added that the country’s growing population, expanding economy, and strategic role in servicing neighbouring landlocked nations make investment in deep seaports unavoidable.
According to Dantsoho, Nigeria currently accounts for over 70 per cent of cargo traffic within the West and Central African sub-region, while countries such as Niger, Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso depend partly on Nigerian ports for their international trade access.
Dantsoho further stated that the government is pursuing a combination of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to improve port efficiency.
These include rehabilitating existing ports, deploying technology-driven systems, and developing new deep-sea infrastructure.
Speaking as PMAWCA President, 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 intensifying competition.
He said member countries are stepping up investments in port infrastructure, technology, and deep seaport development to strengthen trade facilitation and position the region as a major global maritime hub.
Dantsoho stressed that ports across the sub-region must undergo aggressive modernisation to remain competitive with other global maritime hubs, warning that delays in infrastructure renewal could leave Africa behind in global shipping and trade.
On the meeting’s resolutions, he said member states had agreed 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 delays at ports.
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 the transformation of ports and the wider maritime sector across West and Central Africa.
Represented by the Director of Maritime Services at the ministry, Oyinloye Meshack, Oyetola said the three-day deliberations had highlighted the importance of collaboration among African countries and joint action in tackling emerging challenges and opportunities within the ports and logistics ecosystem.
The minister noted that the conference theme, “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development,” provided strategic direction for enhancing the competitiveness and future-readiness of ports in the region.
He said the delegates’ visit to the Lekki Deep Sea Port demonstrated what can be achieved through strategic investment, innovation, and effective public-private sector collaboration.
Oyetola added that growing investments by African business leaders in port infrastructure reflect increasing confidence in the continent’s maritime economy.
He cited the expansion plans announced by Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group as evidence of broader aspirations for regional integration, industrialisation, and improved connectivity.
The minister further stressed the need for African countries to work together in addressing supply chain disruptions, climate-related pressures, and the transition towards greener shipping systems.
He noted that initiatives such as the European Union-supported West African Sustainable Oceans Programme (WASOP) are examples of collaborative efforts aimed at promoting climate-resilient and sustainable maritime development across the region.
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