The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, said the maritime sector recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by increased cargo throughput, larger vessel traffic and ongoing port reforms.

Dantsoho disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos by the NPA General Manager, Corporate Communications and Strategy, Ikechukwu Onyemekara.

He said ocean-going vessel Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) rose by 19.

5 per cent to 46.75 million in the first quarter 2026, reflecting improved cargo efficiency and growing confidence by international shipping lines in Nigerian ports.

According to him, the increase was driven largely by the deployment of larger vessels linked to activities at Lekki Deep Sea Port and rising regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Ports must evolve beyond old limits. Efficiency, speed and reliability will determine who leads African trade,” he said.

Dantsoho said total cargo throughput rose by 11.6 per cent year-on-year to 32.38 million metric tonnes during the period.

He added that outward cargo increased by 23.7 per cent to 14.13 million tonnes, while outward laden containers rose by 67.6 per cent to 102,803 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

According to him, vehicle traffic also increased by 67 per cent to 58,870 units, while transshipment containers climbed by 83.1 per cent, indicating Nigeria’s growing role in regional trade.

“The time has come to fully utilise our marine resources. Ports can drive major economic growth if properly harnessed,” he said.

Dantsoho noted that reforms under the administration of Bola Tinubu were focused on infrastructure upgrades, digitalisation and restructuring aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa.

He disclosed that the one billion dollar overhaul of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port was underway following approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Also speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said procurement processes were ongoing for upgrades at Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar ports to ensure balanced development.

Oyetola added that the Port Community System and National Single Window project would help reduce delays, lower costs and improve transparency in port operations.

He also noted that investments in rail, inland dry ports, barging and export corridors were aimed at easing congestion and improving cargo evacuation.

According to the NPA, Nigeria has also sustained over four years without piracy incidents under the Deep Blue Programme.

Dantsoho said Nigeria still handles only 25 per cent of West Africa’s cargo despite accounting for about 60 per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“With sustained commitment, Nigeria’s port system will emerge as Africa’s leading maritime logistics hub,” he said.

TCN said it has commenced a second phase of compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) affected by the 330kV Double Circuit QUAD Conductor Mando–Rimin Zakara Transmission Line Project in Kaduna State.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) ‘s General Manager, Public Affairs said that the exercise began on Thursday, in Shika, Zaria, with more than 2,000 claimants receiving compensation.

Mbah said that the exercise commenced with the screening and verification phase, during which affected persons presented original documents for authentication prior to payment.

According to her, the process is designed to ensure that all legitimate claimants were properly identified and duly compensated in line with TCN’s commitment to accountability and due process.

”In line with its standard operational procedures, TCN prioritises the clearing of the Right of Way (RoW) before the commencement of any transmission project.

”This step ensures safety, protects infrastructure integrity, and enables seamless project execution,” she said.

The Project Manager, Omobola Sobo, said that 5,500 PAPs were enumerated for compensation along the Mando–Rimin Zakara transmission corridor, with the second phase covering approximately 2,000 of them.

She commended the district heads and community leaders for their cooperation in sensitising community members on the importance of the project and the compensation.

Sabo also acknowledged the support of the head of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) toward the successful implementation of the process.

In his remarks, the District Head of Rigasa, Muhammed Idris, said that achieving 100 per cent satisfaction may not always be possible but added that TCN had remained transparent and collaborative by engaging community leaders and members throughout the project.

He expressed optimism that the project would improve power supply and stimulate socio-economic development across the affected communities.

Some beneficiaries commended TCN for the transparent conduct of the exercise.

Malam Lawal Abubakar thanked TCN for the initiative and expressed appreciation for the compensation, pledging continued community support and cooperation.

The transmission line will run from the Mando Transmission Substation in Kaduna State to the Rimin Zakara Transmission Substation in Kano State, with a Turn-In Turn-Out (TITO) connection at the new 2×150 Megavolt Ampree (MVA) 330/132/33kV substation in Jaja, Zaria.

The project is being implemented with support from the Federal Government of Nigeria and AfDB. It is one of the major transmission reinforcement projects in Northern Nigeria, connecting critical load centres across the Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano industrial corridors.

The project is also part of broader efforts to expand Nigeria’s transmission wheeling capacity and improve grid reliability and redundancy nationwide.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up efforts to accelerate its digital transformation drive, urging journalists and media organisations to play a more active role in creating awareness and promoting public understanding on Trade Modernisation Project (TMP).

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the call during a three-day training workshop for journalists held in Abuja over the weekend.

The workshop, themed “Enhancing Media Knowledge, Awareness and Understanding of Customs Modernisation Project,” was designed to strengthen trade facilitation, improve revenue generation, and reinforce border security across the country.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Timi Bomodi, said the Service was deliberately repositioning itself to align with the realities of modern global trade, which increasingly depends on technology, transparency, efficiency, and data-driven systems.

Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service was committed to repositioning itself in line with the realities of modern global trade, where technology and data-driven systems now define operational success.

He explained that the Trade Modernisation Project remains one of the most strategic pillars of the Service’s reform agenda.

According to him, the project is expected to transform customs operations through the deployment of digital platforms, integrated systems, and automated procedures capable of improving trade facilitation, enhancing border security, and boosting government revenue generation.

Adeniyi noted that the Nigeria Customs Service is determined to build a modern customs administration that aligns with international best practices and global standards.

He said the reforms are designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and inefficiencies that have long affected trade processes in the country.

“The Trade Modernisation Project is a comprehensive technology-driven initiative aimed at creating a seamless trading environment for importers, exporters, and other stakeholders,” he said.

He further explained that automation and digital integration would significantly reduce delays associated with cargo clearance, improve transparency in customs operations, and strengthen accountability across the system.

“Through the deployment of modern digital platforms, automation of procedures, and integration of systems, we are building a Customs Service that is efficient, transparent, and globally competitive,” he stated.

The Customs boss stressed that technology and infrastructure alone would not guarantee the success of the modernisation agenda without the active support and understanding of stakeholders, particularly the media.

He described the workshop as a deliberate effort to ensure journalists gain deeper knowledge of customs reforms and the operational objectives of the Trade Modernisation Project.

“The media remains an important bridge between institutions and the public, especially in communicating complex policy initiatives to citizens and stakeholders,” he said

“As key partners in national development, the media shape narratives, influence perception, and provide the platform through which policies and reforms are interpreted and understood,” he added.

Adeniyi also commended Trade Modernisation Project Limited for supporting the implementation of the initiative and partnering with the Nigeria Customs Service to advance institutional reforms.

He described the collaboration as essential to achieving sustainable innovation within the Service and ensuring the successful implementation of the modernisation programme.

According to him, the current Customs administration remains committed to building a technology-driven institution capable of responding effectively to the demands of modern trade and national development.

“Let me assure you that this administration will sustain efforts towards building a Customs Service that is efficient, transparent, technology-driven, and responsive to the needs of the nation,” he said.

In his address, the National Public Relations Officer (POR) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the workshop was carefully designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of the Trade Modernisation Project and improve engagement between the Service and the media.

Maiwada explained that the training would provide participants with better insight into customs modernisation processes, digital transformation initiatives, and ongoing reforms within the Service.

“This workshop is carefully designed to enhance media knowledge, deepen understanding, and strengthen awareness of the Nigeria Customs Service Trade Modernisation Project,” he said.

He added that improved media awareness would contribute significantly to public education, transparency, and informed reporting on customs-related issues in Nigeria.