Stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime value chain have identified rail integration, green energy adoption, and end-to-end digitalisation as decisive enablers for unlocking growth and positioning the country’s ports for global competitiveness.
At the 6th JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting held in Lagos on Friday, industry leaders warned that without coordinated investment in multimodal logistics, stable power supply, and technology-driven systems, Nigeria’s port ecosystem risks lagging behind evolving international standards for smart port operations.
The forum, themed “Towards a Regime of Smart Ports in Nigeria,” brought together operators, regulators, and logistics experts who stressed that achieving a smart port regime requires a holistic alignment of infrastructure, processes, and human capacity.
The Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL), Omotayo Dada, underscored the strategic importance of integrating seaports with Inland Dry Ports through rail connectivity and real-time cargo visibility systems.
According to him, the absence of seamless linkage between coastal and inland logistics hubs remains a critical gap in Nigeria’s maritime architecture.
Dada noted that Nigeria’s Inland Dry Port system has transitioned from concept to active operations, with measurable impact on trade facilitation across the hinterland. He disclosed that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port handled approximately 9,850 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in the past year, reflecting a gradual shift in cargo movement patterns.
Designated in 2015 and commissioned in 2018, the Kaduna facility remains the country’s first fully operational Inland Dry Port, playing a pivotal role in decentralising cargo flows and easing pressure on Lagos ports.
He argued that the smart port conversation must extend beyond the deployment of digital tools to encompass integrated logistics systems that synchronise cargo movement across locations.
“If seaports are not effectively connected to Inland Dry Ports through rail and cargo visibility platforms, then the smart port journey has not begun,” Dada said, adding that the inland port model remains underutilised despite its readiness to support nationwide trade.
He further revealed that the Inland Dry Port system has facilitated transactions exceeding ₦9.5 trillion, highlighting its growing contribution to revenue generation and economic activity, while calling for stronger stakeholder collaboration to maximise capacity.
In his intervention, maritime expert and Master Mariner, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, advocated a dual-track approach that combines digital transformation with environmental sustainability, describing the future of port development as “smart and green.”
Ebubeogu emphasised that global maritime regulations, particularly from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), are increasingly driving the adoption of low-emission technologies in port operations. He noted that within the next decade, vessels calling at ports may be required to shut down onboard generators and rely on shore-based power systems powered by cleaner energy sources.
Such measures, he explained, would significantly reduce carbon emissions and align Nigeria’s ports with emerging global environmental benchmarks.
Beyond sustainability, he highlighted the need to strengthen marine operational systems, including Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), fire safety infrastructure, and electronic harbour management platforms.
He proposed the development of a Port Marine Information System to enhance communication between harbour authorities and incoming vessels, thereby improving navigation safety and operational efficiency.
Ebubeogu also stressed the importance of synchronising digital port systems with the Federal Government’s National Single Window initiative, noting that seamless collaboration among stakeholders is essential for success.
On the logistics front, he warned that inefficient road infrastructure around port corridors continues to undermine operational efficiency, urging authorities to prioritise the development of congestion-free access routes.
Meanwhile, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) linked the recent spike in haulage rates to escalating diesel costs, describing current pricing structures as survival-driven rather than profit-oriented.
Adesina Ajibola, representing AMATO Chairman Remi Ogungbemi, disclosed that diesel prices hovering around ₦2,000 per litre have significantly inflated transport costs across the maritime supply chain. He noted that a reduction in fuel prices could see haulage rates fall back to between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000.
Ajibola acknowledged longstanding inefficiencies within the trucking segment, particularly the failure of operators to account for asset depreciation and maintenance, which he said has heightened safety risks.
He, however, outlined ongoing reforms aimed at aligning trucking operations with smart port systems. These include a proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the development of a smart truck park, fleet renewal programmes, and driver retraining initiatives.
Ajibola also revealed plans to deploy an integrated digital haulage platform designed to improve coordination across the logistics chain and prevent congestion from shifting from Lagos ports to Inland Dry Ports.
Adding a cross-sector perspective, the Dean of the School of Eloquence and founder of Blue Economy TV, Ubong Essien, highlighted the critical role of reliable power supply and telecommunications infrastructure in enabling smart port operations.
Drawing from recent operational challenges, Essien pointed to persistent connectivity issues experienced during a major digital broadcast project as evidence of the infrastructural gaps confronting Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He warned that such limitations could severely impact port operations, which depend on uninterrupted data exchange, automation systems, and real-time tracking technologies.
Essien called for stronger collaboration between the maritime sector and key service providers, including electricity distribution companies and telecom operators, stressing that stable power remains the backbone of any smart port architecture.
He further advocated a broader, more inclusive approach to developing Nigeria’s blue economy, urging the integration of expertise from finance, technology, and energy sectors to drive sustainable maritime growth.
Collectively, stakeholders agreed that while Nigeria has made incremental progress toward modernising its port system, achieving a fully functional smart port regime will depend on sustained investment, policy coordination, and a unified commitment to innovation across the maritime ecosystem.
