The Nigerian Ports Authority is moving forward with plans to launch a Port Community System in the first quarter of 2026, a digital platform designed to interconnect port users, data systems, and transactional processes across Nigeria's seaports. The commitment was announced by NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho during his presentation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Delivering a paper titled "Optimising Nigeria's Port Infrastructure, Enhancing Trade Facilitation and Global Competitiveness," Dantsoho outlined how the new system fits within broader efforts to transform the nation's port operations. "We are building a globally competitive port system that will strengthen trade facilitation, attract Foreign Direct Investment, and boost investor confidence in Nigeria's economic future," he stated to the international audience.
Digital Transformation Already Underway
The Port Community System represents the next phase of an ongoing digitalisation programme at Nigerian ports. Dantsoho revealed that the NPA has already deployed a new electronic barrier system across all terminals at the Lagos Port Complex, intended to improve traffic management and control vehicular access to port facilities.
These barriers integrate with the Eto Electronic Call-Up System, a truck management platform developed through partnerships with multiple truck park operators. The integrated system governs truck entry into port zones, a measure designed to reduce the chronic congestion that has long affected cargo throughput at Nigeria's busiest maritime gateway.
Additional digital tools introduced at the ports include e-Tag verification processes, Joint Boarding applications, and electronic send systems. According to Dantsoho, these technologies are collectively reducing cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround time, key performance indicators for port efficiency.
The NPA's existing digital platforms have already enabled paperless transactions across the nation's seaports, a shift that Dantsoho said minimizes administrative waste and accelerates processing speed. The authority is also working to automate applications for barge, truck, and railway services, further reducing manual bottlenecks.
Trade Performance and Sustainability Goals
The digitalisation push coincides with measurable improvements in export performance. Nigerian seaports recorded a 19.6 percent growth in non-oil exports during the first half of 2025, a figure Dantsoho attributed partly to operational efficiency gains achieved through the ongoing technology upgrades.
Beyond digital improvements, the NPA is embedding sustainability principles into port operations. The authority is expanding intermodal connectivity to reduce dependence on road transport, a strategy aimed at cutting emissions while improving cargo movement efficiency. A shore-to-ship emission reduction programme is being spearheaded, with Lekki Port serving as the initial site for implementation.
Dantsoho told delegates that the combination of digital innovation and environmental responsibility would support the NPA's long-term viability while enhancing Nigeria's standing in global shipping networks.