The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of a $1 billion total reconstruction project covering the Apapa, Tin Can Island, Calabar, Warri, and Port Harcourt ports.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing World Ports Conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) in Kobe, Japan, themed “Reinvention and Prosperity in Turbulent Times,” Dantsoho revealed that the project will be delivered within 48 months.
He disclosed that rehabilitation works are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, following comprehensive engineering, environmental, and design studies. The initiative, he said, is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise Nigeria’s port infrastructure, attract foreign investment, and enhance the competitiveness of the maritime sector in global trade.
According to Dantsoho, Tinubu’s economic reforms have reignited investor confidence, particularly in the maritime sector. He commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his leadership and support, noting that the sector remains central to achieving the government’s $1 trillion economy target.
“Construction of this magnitude takes time, as it involves detailed engineering, environmental and design studies. However, we are targeting a 48-month timeline and expect to commence construction by the first quarter of next year,” he stated.
Dantsoho, who also serves as Vice President of IAPH (Africa Region), emphasized that collaboration and trust among stakeholders are key to attracting and sustaining foreign investments in Nigeria’s port system.
He noted that Nigeria has already awarded the Port Community System contract to a Singaporean company, a subsidiary of the Port Authority of Singapore, which will also drive the country’s national single window initiative.
Highlighting the capital-intensive nature of port development, Dantsoho said local financial institutions lack the capacity to fund such massive projects, hence the need for international partnerships.
He added that Nigeria must embrace technology and automation to remain competitive, especially as the global shipping industry moves toward autonomous vessels and smart port systems.
“The world is shifting towards automation by 2040, ships will move autonomously. Nigeria must invest heavily in technology to keep pace. We need partnerships and collaboration to achieve this,” he stressed.
Dantsoho concluded that the NPA is actively engaging in global and regional maritime networks such as the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to strengthen relationships and position Nigeria as a major maritime hub.
