The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced a bold revenue projection of ₦1.28 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year—a 40% increase over the ₦894.86 billion recorded in 2024—during its budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours .
NPA’s Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, outlined a comprehensive strategy to hit the ambitious target, citing multiple revenue streams: ship dues (₦544.06 billion), cargo dues (₦413.06 billion), concession fees (₦249.69 billion), and administrative charges (₦73.07 billion) . These projections are underpinned by the full-scale activation of the Dangote Refinery’s single point mooring system—anticipated to attract over 600 vessels annually—and the rollout of automation platforms such as the National Single Window, Port Community System, and Vessel Traffic Management System .
Despite liquidity constraints in 2024, NPA exceeded its performance expectations, generating ₦894.86 billion against a ₦865.39 billion target, and remitting ₦400.8 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF)—nearly double the ₦213.23 billion remitted in 2023 .
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, urged the NPA to link enhanced revenue expectations with infrastructure upgrades and job creation. He emphasised that ports are Nigeria’s economic lifelines and must support broader fiscal and employment goals .
The authority disclosed it would allocate over ₦778 billion of its ₦1.14 trillion 2025 expenditure to capital projects focused on port modernization, including the dredging of channels, upgrading terminals at Calabar, Warri, and Burutu, improving towage services, and strengthening cybersecurity and digital infrastructure .
NPA has pledged investments in automation and cybersecurity aimed at aligning Nigerian ports with international standards. Dantsoho stressed, “With access to internally generated revenue and capital funding, NPA can deliver the kind of impact Nigeria expects” .
Economists point out the socioeconomic benefits of well-functioning ports—improved trade flows, expanded supply chains, and job creation across logistics and manufacturing. With global supply chains shifting post-pandemic and amid geopolitical uncertainties, investments in maritime trade infrastructure are strategic .
However, lawmakers cautioned that expansion should not neglect existing port infrastructure. “Welcoming new ports is welcome, but existing ones must not be abandoned,” Nnaji warned .
Successful implementation of NPA’s plan will require sustained digital transformation, operational transparency, and timely capital deployment. Achieving these goals could position Nigeria as the West African maritime trade hub, boost non-oil export earnings, and create direct employment in service, technical maintenance, and logistics sectors.
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