In a bold call to action, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has emphasized the need for Nigeria to overhaul its port infrastructure and align its maritime operations with international standards.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Secretariat annex in Lagos on Wednesday, Dantsoho described the current state of Nigerian ports as inadequate for the nation’s growing population and economic aspirations.
Dantsoho highlighted the disparity between Nigeria’s population of over 200 million and its port capacity, which processes only two million containers annually. He noted this figure as disproportionately low when compared to smaller neighbouring countries like Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic, whose ports continue to attract more container traffic. “It doesn’t make sense that Nigeria, with its potential, is lagging behind smaller nations in container traffic. We must do all we can to reverse this trend,” Datsoho said.
The NPA MD identified outdated infrastructure as a major obstacle, referencing the Apapa and Tin Can ports, which were built in 1958 and 1977 respectively.
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to modernizing these ports and constructing new ones, describing this as a critical step toward enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade. “We can’t continue to rely on ports that were built decades ago and expect to compete globally. Modern infrastructure is non-negotiable,” he asserted.
Dantsoho also pointed at the need for better equipment and technology to handle larger volumes of cargo efficiently. Drawing a parallel with aviation, he explained, “if we want bigger planes to land at our airports, we equip them appropriately. The same applies to ships. We need modern equipment to attract and manage bigger vessels.”
Beyond infrastructure, Dantsoho called on all stakeholders, including labour unions, to embrace technological advancements in their operations. “Technology is the key to beating competition from Ghana, Lomé, and others. The NPA is investing in this, and we urge others to do the same,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, praised Dantsoho as a workers’ advocate and the first NPA Managing Director to visit the union’s secretariat.
Adeyanju acknowledged the union’s transformation under his leadership, emphasizing a shift from disruptive industrial actions to constructive dialogue. “We are no longer the union of banging tables and shutting down ports. We have evolved, and today’s event marks another milestone in our progress,” he stated.
Dantsoho closed his speech with a commitment to prioritizing the welfare of NPA staff, noting that motivated workers are essential to achieving organizational goals. However, he also urged union members to boost revenue generation efforts, which he linked directly to sustaining welfare improvements. “We can only give more when we have more. Everyone has a role to play in this,” he said.
