The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has unveiled plans to modernise the nation’s port infrastructure while deepening collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to address persistent traffic congestion around the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors and improve cargo evacuation.
The commitment was made during a strategic meeting between the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the national leadership of ANLCA, led by its National President, Emenike Nwokeoji, at the Authority’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
A statement issued by the NPA’s general manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said both organisations agreed to strengthen cooperation aimed at improving ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports and ensuring more efficient port operations.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Dantsoho commended the Port managers of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports for their commitment to operational excellence, noting that the recent recognition of both ports among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally was the result of deliberate reforms aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that the achievement complements Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance, following the country’s emergence as the first President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President for Africa in the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
“This global recognition is not accidental; it is the direct result of our strategic and intentional mapping of port processes and our relentless pursuit of excellence. This achievement is further reinforced by Nigeria’s recent diplomatic successes in the maritime sector,” Dantsoho said.
The NPA boss identified port modernisation as a critical priority, stressing that aging infrastructure must be upgraded to meet international standards and support rising trade volumes.
“Lagos remains a vital commercial hub for West Africa. To sustain this status, we must aggressively pursue port modernisation. Much of our infrastructure is aging and requires comprehensive upgrades to meet international standards, deploy modern cargo-handling equipment and boost national revenue,” he said.
Discussions also focused on the Electronic Call-Up System (Eto), which regulates truck movements into and out of the Apapa and Tin Can ports.
While acknowledging that the system had largely achieved its initial objectives, Dantsoho said increasing cargo volumes now require a stronger operational framework to permanently eliminate gridlock along the port access roads.
On his part, ANLCA National President, Nwokeoji, congratulated the NPA management on the World Bank recognition and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to policies that promote trade facilitation and efficient port operations.
He called for closer collaboration between both organisations and requested that ANLCA be directly involved in the management and oversight of the electronic call-up system.
According to him, the active participation of licensed customs agents would provide the necessary checks and balances needed to eliminate racketeering and reduce artificial delays experienced by port users.
Nwokeoji also formally invited the NPA Managing Director to ANLCA’s 72nd Anniversary celebration scheduled for later this year.
He further disclosed that the association would work closely with the NPA, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant stakeholders through a coordinated task force to monitor truck movements and respond promptly to disruptions along the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors.
