The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) says it has elevated cybersecurity to the forefront of national maritime discourse, declaring it a strategic priority as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform port operations across the country.
This renewed focus was highlighted at the Council’s quarterly meeting which recently held in Lagos, where its Chairman, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, underscored the urgent need to secure Nigeria’s maritime digital infrastructure against emerging threats.
Sunmola noted that digital technologies are rapidly changing vessel traffic management, cargo handling, inspections, and regulatory processes. However, he warned that the growing adoption of AI also exposes the sector to rising risks such as data breaches, operational disruptions, and potential attacks on critical infrastructure.
Sunmola stressed that Nigeria’s competitiveness and national security hinge on the sector’s ability to fortify its digital assets, preserve system integrity, and equip its workforce with the skills required to navigate an evolving cyber-threat landscape.
As part of its strategic direction for 2026, Sunmola announced the creation of the NPCC Cybersecurity & Digitalisation Taskforce. The new body will develop practical recommendations for ports and terminals and oversee expanded training programmes covering cybersecurity awareness, AI literacy, and data-governance competencies for regulators, frontline personnel, and operators.
He further disclosed that the Council plans to intensify support for the National Single Window project to ensure secure and seamless system integration, while also broadening engagements with ports outside Lagos to foster inclusive digital development across the nation’s maritime corridor.
A significant highlight was a keynote lecture by Rear Admiral Francis Akpan (Rtd), who analysed the evolving nature of cyber threats in the maritime sector. He cautioned that as automation expands and AI becomes further embedded in operations, the industry must prioritise coordination, cyber hygiene, and proactive risk management to prevent disruptions capable of crippling national trade and logisti
Also speaking, NPCC Vice Chairperson and President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), applauded Nigeria’s recent election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Governing Council. She described the feat as a timely opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s global maritime influence and called on stakeholders to work collectively in shaping policies, deepening manpower development, and driving investments that enhance the nation’s competitiveness on the international stage.
During the meeting, key maritime agencies—including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Police Force—provided quarterly operational updates. Their reports covered port performance, security activities, cargo facilitation, and ongoing digitalisation efforts targeted at enhancing efficiency and regulatory compliance.
