The Director General of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd.), has stressed that Nigeria must urgently transition to a smart port regime to reduce logistics costs and enhance trade efficiency.
The IMION boss described the shift towards smart ports as central to Nigeria’s economic future, noting that ports across the world are rapidly evolving through the deployment of technology, automation, and data-driven systems.
Udofia made this known at the 6th edition of the JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting held in Apapa on Friday, themed: “Towards a Regime of Smart Ports in Nigeria.”
“Ports that deploy digital and automation systems can improve efficiency by up to 30 per cent and reduce logistics costs by as much as 25 per cent. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind,” he said.
Udofia, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance, IMION, Captain David Ajiboye, noted that major Nigerian ports, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, remain critical to international trade, while the Lekki Deep Sea Port offers a glimpse into modern port infrastructure.
Despite these assets, he acknowledged that persistent challenges such as congestion, delays in cargo clearance, manual processes, and fragmented systems continue to undermine efficiency and increase the cost of doing business.
“Inefficiencies at ports can raise logistics costs by between 30 and 40 per cent, translating to higher prices for goods and reduced economic opportunities,” he noted.
He emphasised that the adoption of smart ports driven by digital systems, automation, and real-time data would streamline operations, improve transparency, and enable seamless coordination among agencies.
“A smart port ensures that agencies work from shared platforms, cargo is tracked seamlessly, and decisions are driven by accurate data rather than manual processes. Data is now the lifeblood of modern ports. Those who harness it effectively will lead global trade.”
Udofia further stated that while technology is critical, it must be complemented by investments in human capital, policy reforms, and performance monitoring to achieve meaningful transformation.
He outlined IMION’s strategic role in supporting the transition, particularly in capacity building, policy advocacy, implementation research, and benchmarking against global standards.
“We must prepare our workforce for a digital future. From port operators to logistics professionals, new skills are required to operate effectively in a technology-driven environment,” he said.
He also called for harmonised regulations and the elimination of duplication among agencies, stressing that outdated frameworks could hinder the success of smart port initiatives.
On implementation, Udofia advocated pilot projects in strategic locations such as Lekki to test digital systems before scaling successful models nationwide.
He urged stakeholders to benchmark Nigeria’s progress against leading global ports such as Port of Singapore, Port of Rotterdam, Tanger Med Port, and Port of Tema.
According to him, the benefits of adopting smart ports are far-reaching, including reduced congestion in Apapa, faster cargo clearance in Tin Can Island, optimised operations at Lekki, lower business costs, increased government revenue, and enhanced trade positioning.
“Efficient ports are not just gateways for trade, they are engines of national development,” he said, citing global maritime insights.
He stressed that achieving this transformation would require strong collaboration among government agencies, private sector operators, technology providers, and research institutions.
“The journey towards smart ports demands a whole-of-industry approach. Government must lead with clear strategy, while stakeholders must act with urgency,” he added.
Udofia called for the immediate development of a national smart port strategy, the rollout of pilot projects, and the scaling of successful models across Nigerian ports.
“The future of our ports will determine the future of our trade, and ultimately, the strength of our economy. The time to act is now,” he added.
