Stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry have identified rail connectivity, green energy adoption, and digital integration as critical pillars for unlocking growth and achieving a fully functional smart port system.
They cautioned that without coordinated investments in logistics infrastructure, reliable power supply, and technology-driven operations, the country’s ports may struggle to meet global competitiveness standards.
The experts made these remarks during a panel session at the 6th JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting held on Friday in Lagos, themed “Towards a Regime of Smart Ports in Nigeria.”
The Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL), Omotayo Dada, stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve a true smart port regime without fully integrating seaports with Inland Dry Ports through rail connectivity and cargo visibility systems.
Speaking on the role of Inland Dry Ports in modern port operations, Dada noted that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port and Nigeria’s dry port system have moved beyond the planning stage to active operational capacity, contributing to trade facilitation across the country’s hinterland.
He revealed that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port handled about 9,850 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) within the past year, demonstrating growing utilization of inland cargo facilities.
According to him, the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, designated in 2015 and commissioned in 2018, remains Nigeria’s first fully operational Inland Dry Port, playing a vital role in decentralizing cargo movement and reducing pressure on Lagos seaports.
Dada emphasized that discussions about smart ports in Nigeria must go beyond technology deployment to include integrated logistics systems that align people, processes, and infrastructure.
“If we are having a smart port that has not successfully integrated the seaport to the Inland Dry Port through rail, through cargo visibility, then we have not started. From my point of view as an Inland Dry Port operator, that Inland Dry Port model is open for business. It depends on a lot of feedback from Lagos to bring trade to other parts of Nigeria.”
He explained that Inland Dry Ports have already begun shifting cargo traffic from coastal areas to inland regions, enabling traders to conduct business closer to their operational bases without frequent travel to Lagos.
Dada noted that effective rail connectivity between seaports and Inland Dry Ports, supported by digital cargo tracking and optimization systems, would significantly enhance Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Dada further disclosed that the Inland Dry Port system has facilitated payments exceeding 8320 TEUs in 2025, underscoring its growing contribution to national trade and revenue generation. Despite these achievements, he described current utilization levels as far below the facility’s full capacity, calling for greater collaboration among stakeholders to maximize its potential.
A Master Mariner and former General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, called for the inclusion of environmental sustainability and marine operational systems in Nigeria’s push toward smart port development.
The maritime expert urged stakeholders to adopt a dual approach that combines digital efficiency with environmental responsibility.He moved a motion recommending that the theme be amended to reflect “Towards a Regime of Smart Ports and Green Ports,” noting that ports of the future must embrace sustainable practices to address climate change challenges.
According to him, green port development aligns with global directives from international maritime bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) , which advocate the use of environmentally friendly technologies in port operations.
Ebubeogu explained that modern port equipment should be powered by low-emission or renewable energy sources, adding that within the next decade, ships calling at ports would increasingly be required to shut down onboard generators and connect to shore-based power systems powered by clean energy.
He noted that such measures would significantly reduce carbon emissions and position Nigeria’s ports to meet emerging global environmental standards.
Beyond environmental concerns, Ebubeogu emphasised that smart port development must also incorporate critical marine operational components, including Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), fire protection systems, and electronic harbour management.
He highlighted the importance of establishing a Port Marine Information System, which would enable harbour masters and pilots to communicate electronically with incoming vessels, improving navigation safety and operational efficiency.
