The Federal Government has secured a £746 million facility dedicated to the comprehensive rehabilitation and modernization of the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos, according to maritime expert Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu.
Ebubeogu, Chairman of the Ports Operations and Security Committee at the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), revealed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reviewing second-quarter 2026 port operations and security in Lagos.
He noted that the multi-million-pound funding will accelerate the transition of Nigerian ports toward green and smart standards through digitization and automated systems. The overhaul is expected to deliver advanced cargo-handling equipment, significantly reduce vessel turnaround and cargo dwell times, boost federal port revenues, and sharpen regional competitiveness while safeguarding environmental sustainability.
Sweeping Infrastructure Upgrades Across Nigerian Corridors
The modernization drive extends beyond Lagos, sweeping through key maritime hubs across the country:
Delta Ports: The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a channel management consortium tasked with maintaining and deepening access channels serving Delta ports. Contracts have also been awarded to rehabilitate the Escravos breakwaters as well as Terminals A and C.
Rivers Port: Rehabilitation works are active at Terminal 1, operated by PTOL, where berths 1 through 3 are being upgraded to enhance operational safety and handling efficiency.
Eastern Corridor (Calabar, McKaiva & Malero): Increased maintenance dredging is scheduled for Calabar Port, with targeted infrastructural attention directed at the McKaiva and Malero jetties to bolster trade across the eastern maritime axis.
Snake Island: Site clearing operations have commenced at the Snake Island concession area to open up new capacity, attract foreign direct investment, and optimize efficiency.
To alleviate chronic gridlock around the Lagos port corridor, Ebubeogu outlined a major multimodal logistics plan involving the construction of a single-track, standard-gauge freight railway line. Connecting the Apapa Bulk Terminal (ABTL) directly to Tin-Can Island Port, the project incorporates elevated urban sections, junction works, a bay crossing, and modern signaling systems to shift heavy freight off roads onto rail and marine channels.
Structural Reforms & AfCFTA Readiness
The Federal Government has also restructured institutional mandates across the sector. Under the revamped framework, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) assumes direct landlord administrative oversight of inland dry ports. Concurrently, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has transitioned into the Nigerian Port Economy Regulatory Agency, charged with enforcing fair tariffs, rates, and charges across terminal operators and shipping lines.
Highlighting the economic stakes, Ebubeogu stressed that port modernization is critical to capitalizing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Seaports facilitate AfCFTA by providing high-capacity corridors for the movement of goods at lower costs,” Ebubeogu stated. “To benefit from AfCFTA, it is imperative to upgrade port infrastructure, digitalize operations, reform customs procedures, develop the fleet, and implement an integrated master plan.”
Recent capacity-building milestones include a C-suite awareness forum on the National Single Window project and a Port Clearance Audit workshop held on September 10 to streamline inter-agency collaboration and compliance.
Security Milestones and Technical Bottlenecks
On maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Ebubeogu pointed to the Deep Blue Project, which has successfully driven down war-risk insurance premiums for ships entering Nigerian waters by 60 per cent through enhanced inter-agency surveillance.
Despite structural progress, geographical and technical constraints remain. Alex Ekine, Port Manager at Calabar Port, identified draft depth limitations as the primary hurdle preventing larger vessels from berthing. However, he confirmed that incoming channel management firms, new tugboat deliveries, and dedicated pilot quarters are positioned to improve vessel handling.
Echoing similar concerns, Alhaji Sa’adu Muhammed, Port Manager for Delta Ports, noted that despite depth constraints, Delta Ports contributed approximately 10.7 per cent of NPA’s total revenue through service boat operations. He expressed confidence that the newly FEC-approved channel management model would open up vast commercial opportunities across the Warri axis. (NAN)
