By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Government has commenced payment of the counterpart funding required to unlock a £746 million UK-backed loan for the rehabilitation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s long-awaited port modernisation programme.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this during an interview with selected maritime journalists on Wednesday, stating that contractors are expected to mobilise to site after the completion of preliminary investigations.
Dantsoho said the port modernisation initiative has moved beyond the planning stage into the active pre-construction and procurement phase, with significant progress recorded in funding arrangements, site preparations and operational measures aimed at easing congestion.
According to him, the counterpart funding is part of the broader $1 billion reconstruction programme covering five major seaports across the country.
“The Federal Government has begun paying the counterpart funding required to access the £746 million UK-backed loan for the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports upgrade. This is part of the broader $1 billion reconstruction programme for five major seaports,” he said.
The NPA boss disclosed that critical site investigations, including borehole drilling and other preliminary engineering activities, have been completed, paving the way for contractors to move to site.
He added that the authority has also concluded technical stakeholder meetings to review project readiness and address outstanding issues ahead of the commencement of physical construction.
“While physical construction has not yet begun, the NPA has confirmed that the groundbreaking for the Apapa and Tin Can modernisation projects is imminent,” he said.
To minimise disruption and manage traffic congestion during the reconstruction period, Dantsoho said the authority has introduced a phased truck entry system that allows trucks into the ports based on terminal capacity.
He also revealed that a joint task force has been clearing port access roads daily since June 2026 to prevent indiscriminate parking, while collaboration with customs agents has been strengthened to improve cargo evacuation.
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On the project timeline, Dantsoho said reconstruction of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports is expected to last 48 months, with completion projected for late 2030 if construction commences in the third quarter of 2026.
He disclosed that funding has also been secured for the rehabilitation of the Eastern Ports, while the NPA continues stakeholder engagement and other pre-construction activities.
Highlighting recent reforms, the NPA managing director noted that the National Single Window commenced operations in the first quarter of 2026, alongside the launch of the Port Community System, both aimed at improving trade facilitation and operational efficiency.
He added that the continued enforcement of the Eto electronic truck call-up system has contributed to Apapa and Tin Can ports being ranked among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports.
According to him, the port modernisation programme is expected to expand cargo-handling capacity, reduce congestion and logistics costs, attract greater investment and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
Dantsoho expressed confidence that Nigerians would begin to see visible construction activities before the end of 2026, while the full transformation of the ports is expected to be completed over the next four years.
