By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Trucks Transit Parks (TTP), operators of the electronic call-up system known as Eto, has disclosed that more than three million truck trips have been successfully scheduled at Lagos ports since the system was introduced in February 2021.
Speaking at a media parley in Lagos on Wednesday, the Managing Director of TTP, Mr. Jama Onwubuariri, said the company is now positioning itself to extend operations into the West African sub-region, with plans to collaborate with regional governments on deploying technology that will ease the movement of goods and boost intra-African trade.
Onwubuariri explained that before the launch of Eto, access roads to Lagos ports were plagued by perennial congestion, inefficient cargo evacuation, substandard trucks, racketeering and widespread human interference. According to him, these inefficiencies came at a huge economic cost, leading to longer turnaround time for cargo, inflated logistics expenses and higher consumer prices.
He noted that Eto was introduced to tackle these challenges through a transparent and technology-driven process that has since transformed port operations. “Port roads, once infamous for unending gridlock, are now more orderly and predictable. Access to the ports is no longer based on who you know or how rugged your boys are, but on a pre-set, transparent, technology-enabled process,” he said.
Highlighting achievements of the system, Onwubuariri said over three million truck trips have been scheduled since 2021, while gridlock around the ports has been drastically reduced with improved turnaround time for trucks and cargo. He added that compliance with minimum safety standards has been strengthened, smarter payment platforms introduced, and partnerships deepened with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators, unions, security agencies and other stakeholders to sustain the gains.
Onwubuariri stressed that Eto is not just about technology but about restoring confidence in Nigeria’s ability to run efficient ports that can compete with others across the region.
Looking beyond Nigeria, he disclosed that TTP is ready to take its model across West Africa, where he observed similar challenges during a recent strategic trip across the ECOWAS subregion. He noted that from Lagos to Ouagadougou, Abidjan and Monrovia, the story of reliance on trucking, border bottlenecks and corridor delays is the same, and argued that the Nigerian-built platform can serve as a model for regional adoption.
He said a harmonised port truck scheduling system across West Africa, integrated with rest stops and electronic tolling that accommodates the region’s multiple currencies, would significantly cut costs, accelerate the movement of goods and bring Africa closer to realising the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking on the company’s focus for the future, the TTP boss said efforts are ongoing to deepen efficiency at Nigerian ports through continuous technology and infrastructure upgrades, expand the company’s technology footprint with the use of E-tags, RFID and AI-driven compliance systems, and drive regional integration by working with West African governments to harmonise logistics under AfCFTA.
“This roadmap is ambitious but necessary if Nigeria is to remain competitive and if West Africa is to unlock its full trade potential,”
The TTP boss stressed that Nigeria remained central to Africa’s growth.
“Nigeria is not just the giant, but also the heartbeat of Africa. If you want to check Africa, come here”, he noted.
Onwubuariri recalled his recent trip across the ECOWAS sub region, describing it as sobering yet inspiring.
He added, “From Lagos to Ouagadougou, Abidjan, and Monrovia, the story is similar.”
According to him, the region still suffers from heavy trucking dependence, bottlenecks at borders, toll delays, and weak highway infrastructure — challenges that raise trade costs and reduce efficiency.
“The traffic management platform TTP has built in Nigeria is not just a national solution. Ètò is a model that would be scaled regionally.
“Imagine if every ECOWAS country operated harmonised port truck scheduling, rest stops, and electronic tolling systems supporting multiple currencies.
“Goods will move faster, trade will be cheaper, and AfCFTA closer.”
“TTP stands ready to collaborate with ECOWAS and regional governments in deploying technology that will make seamless intra-African trade not just a vision, but a reality,” he said.
