The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is planning closer integration of inland dry ports with Nigeria’s seaports as it assumes operational oversight of the facilities, with rail connectivity and logistics constraints emerging as key issues for the inland hubs.

The move follows a directive by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, transferring oversight of inland dry ports to the NPA.

At a meeting at the authority’s corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos, NPA Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho received executives of Dala Inland Dry Port and representatives of Funtua Inland Dry Port to discuss infrastructure, operational coordination and the development of the inland facilities.

The discussions focused on aligning inland cargo operations with modernisation plans for the country’s seaports and improving the movement of goods between coastal ports and businesses in the hinterland.

Rail connectivity remains a challenge

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hassan Bello welcomed the transfer of oversight to the NPA but highlighted rail connectivity and broader logistics constraints as challenges affecting inland dry ports.

Rail links are important to the movement of cargo between seaports and inland destinations, particularly for businesses that need to transport goods over long distances.

Improving these connections could help strengthen the role of inland dry ports in cargo distribution, although the extent of the challenges and the infrastructure requirements at Dala and Funtua will need further assessment.

Bello also referenced the gazetted Port Act, which designates inland dry ports as official ports of origin and destination.

The designation is intended to support the handling of import and export cargo away from coastal ports, potentially giving businesses in inland locations better access to international trade.

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NPA links inland ports to seaport modernisation

Dantsoho said inland dry ports would need to improve their infrastructure and technical capacity to keep pace with upgrades planned for Nigeria’s seaports.

“For our Inland Dry Ports to function at the same velocity as the ongoing modernisation across our seaports, we must proactively upgrade dry port infrastructure and technical capacity,” Dantsoho stated.

He also stressed the need for inland facilities to adopt digital systems and modern cargo-handling equipment as the NPA advances technology-driven reforms.

“As we integrate digital systems such as the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window in our seaports, the dry ports must deploy modern equipment and advanced technical capabilities to handle larger cargo volumes and bigger vessels coming to our coast.”

The Port Community System and National Single Window initiatives are intended to improve information-sharing and streamline processes among participants in the port and trade ecosystem.

For inland dry ports, closer alignment with these systems could improve coordination between cargo documentation, port operations and onward transportation, subject to the infrastructure and implementation arrangements at each facility.

$1bn port upgrade raises integration questions

The NPA chief also pointed to a $1 billion loan facility secured for the comprehensive modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.

He said inland dry ports would need corresponding improvements if they were to operate at a pace consistent with the planned seaport upgrades.

The development raises a wider question for Nigeria’s maritime logistics sector: how effectively will improvements at the coastal ports connect with cargo-handling facilities and transport networks serving businesses across the country?

Without adequate links between ports, rail services, roads and inland cargo facilities, improvements at individual terminals may not translate fully into faster cargo movement across the wider supply chain.

However, the meeting did not announce a specific rail project, funding allocation or implementation timetable for Dala or Funtua Inland Dry Port.

Private investment seen as part of the solution

Dantsoho commended private-sector initiatives in the inland logistics sector, citing APM Terminals’ establishment of an Export Processing Terminal in northern Nigeria.

He called for increased private investment in the dry port ecosystem and said the effort to improve inland port operations was at an early stage.

“The journey toward an optimised inland port system is just beginning,” he said.

Private investment could help expand cargo-handling capacity and supporting logistics infrastructure, but the scale of investment required and the responsibilities of individual stakeholders were not detailed at the meeting.

The proposed integration will also depend on coordination between the NPA, dry port operators, transport providers and other relevant government agencies.

What happens next?

The meeting established a framework for further technical consultations, infrastructure integration and physical planning involving the inland dry ports.

The discussions also identified issues relating to infrastructure access, site conditions and project planning that require additional consideration before final project decisions are made.

Dantsoho confirmed plans for official visits to the Dala and Funtua facilities.

Physical inspections and technical reviews are expected to provide a clearer basis for subsequent project development and help determine the infrastructure and operational requirements of the two facilities.

For businesses using Nigeria’s maritime supply chain, the key measure of progress will be whether the transfer of oversight leads to better cargo coordination, more reliable inland transportation and fewer logistical obstacles for importers and exporters.

No specific completion dates or detailed implementation commitments for the proposed improvements were announced in the information released after the meeting.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has removed the age restriction on its 2026 National Innovation Hackathon, opening participation to Nigerians aged 18 and above as applications continue ahead of the November 13 deadline.

The decision allows a wider range of innovators, including students, artisans, researchers, software developers and entrepreneurs, to submit ideas aimed at addressing challenges in Nigeria’s maritime industry and blue economy.

NIMASA said the change followed widespread requests from Nigerians seeking to participate in the initiative, which is being organised under the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP).

Who can apply for the NIMASA hackathon?

The application portal opened on October 5, 2026, and is available to Nigerians aged 18 and above, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion or educational background.

According to the agency, applications are free and must be submitted through the official portal at https://nbeap.nimasa.gov.ng.

The expanded eligibility criteria could give aspiring innovators without conventional academic qualifications an opportunity to present practical solutions to problems affecting maritime operations, coastal communities and marine resources.

Applicants are encouraged to develop ideas that address identifiable industry needs rather than relying solely on the novelty of a technology or product.

13 areas open to innovation

The National Innovation Hackathon will focus on 13 areas covering maritime operations, environmental sustainability, marine resources and emerging technologies.

The tracks include maritime technology and logistics; maritime safety, surveillance and security; green shipping and vessel decarbonisation; seafarer welfare; port digitisation; marine waste management; aquaculture and sustainable fisheries; coastal and artisanal fishing; ocean data and analytics; nature-based coastal defence; marine tourism; marine biotechnology; and deep seabed mining technologies and research.

These areas touch on several challenges facing Nigeria’s maritime sector, including the need to improve port efficiency, strengthen maritime security, manage marine pollution and develop sustainable economic activities along the country’s coastline.

For participants, the programme offers an opportunity to develop solutions with potential applications beyond the hackathon itself.

What successful applicants stand to gain

The hackathon is scheduled to take place from December 8 to 10, 2026.

Innovators whose ventures progress to the next stage will have the opportunity to participate in a 12-week accelerator programme running from January to April 2027.

NIMASA said selected ventures will receive structured mentorship, industry exposure and support for venture development.

The programme is expected to culminate in a National Demo Day in April 2027, where participants can engage with investors, industry partners, potential customers and other stakeholders.

However, participation in the hackathon does not automatically guarantee admission into the accelerator. The agency’s announcement describes progression into the programme as an opportunity for successful innovators.

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Why the programme matters for Nigeria’s blue economy

Nigeria’s maritime sector supports activities such as shipping, port operations, fisheries, marine transportation and coastal commerce. Developing homegrown solutions in these areas could help businesses address operational challenges while creating opportunities for new ventures.

The hackathon’s inclusion of areas such as marine waste management, sustainable fisheries, ocean data and green shipping also creates room for ideas that combine commercial potential with environmental sustainability.

NIMASA describes the accelerator initiative as an innovation-to-market pipeline intended to identify promising Nigerian solutions, develop them into viable ventures and connect them with opportunities in the marine and blue economy.

The programme’s longer-term impact will depend on how successfully selected ideas are developed, adopted by industry and translated into sustainable businesses or practical improvements.

Application deadline and how to participate

Interested Nigerians have until Friday, November 13, 2026, to submit their applications.

Applications are free and must be completed through the official NIMASA-BEAP portal: “https://nbeap.nimasa.gov.ng/”.

The hackathon will run from December 8 to 10, followed by the accelerator programme from January to April 2027 and a National Demo Day in April.

NIMASA’s announcement was issued on October 8, 2026, by Osagie Edward, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations at the agency.

NigeriaUpdates will continue to follow developments in Nigeria’s maritime industry, innovation ecosystem and blue economy.

Lagos ferry safety training has moved into a new phase, with participants in the FerrySafe Programme completing practical exercises aboard two passenger ferries ahead of a month-long module on vessel surveys and inspections.

The September training focused on safety management systems, emergency preparedness and operational procedures, combining international maritime expertise with onboard exercises designed to strengthen safety practices on inland waterways.

The programme, supported by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and other maritime stakeholders, is scheduled to begin Module 6, covering survey and inspection, throughout October 2026.

Practical drills take training aboard passenger ferries

The latest phase of the FerrySafe Programme culminated in an onboard exercise on September 30, when participants conducted safety management drills aboard MF EJIRIN and MF ITESIWAJU, two 60-seater passenger ferries.

The exercise was facilitated by Effiong Abasiubong and Samuel Nwosu of Coastal Maritime Academy Lagos. It gave participants practical exposure to safety procedures, emergency preparedness and operational protocols.

LAGFERRY provided the vessels for the exercise through its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ladi Balogun.

The practical session followed a September 23 mentorship event featuring Mike Corrigan, chief executive of Interferry, an international association representing the ferry industry.

Corrigan discussed global safety governance, risk management and operational leadership, according to the programme organisers.

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Why safety management matters on Lagos waterways

Safety management systems help ferry operators identify operational risks, establish procedures for emergencies and promote consistent safety practices.

For passengers who depend on ferries to travel across Lagos, effective safety procedures and properly trained crews are important parts of efforts to reduce risks during water transport.

The programme’s combination of expert mentorship and onboard drills is intended to help participants connect international safety principles with the practical demands of ferry operations.

However, the completion of a training module does not, by itself, establish that all participating operators or vessels meet every applicable safety requirement. The programme’s longer-term impact will depend on how the lessons are applied in day-to-day operations.

International experts to support vessel inspection training

The next phase, Module 6: Survey and Inspection, will run throughout October 2026.

According to the organisers, participants will receive mentorship from surveyors affiliated with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).

The training will focus on vessel inspection, compliance and maritime safety assurance. These areas are relevant to assessing vessel condition and checking whether ships meet applicable technical and safety requirements.

The programme did not provide details of the specific vessels to be inspected during Module 6, the number of participants involved or the criteria that will be used to assess their performance.

LASWA acknowledges partners behind programme

The organisers acknowledged the contributions of Coastal Maritime Academy Lagos, LAGFERRY crew members, LASWA and the Lagos State Government to the programme.

They also recognised Shari Corrigan, Interferry’s director of conference and finance and FerrySafe executive sponsor, for her support, alongside Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, special adviser on blue economy to the Lagos State governor.

The FerrySafe Team Lagos was also commended for coordinating the training.

Programme coordinators said they remained committed to improving maritime safety through professional development, international collaboration and practical training.

As the programme enters its inspection phase, the key test will be how effectively participants translate the training into improved safety practices across inland waterways in Lagos and the wider region.

For enquiries: LASWA can be contacted through its official communication channels, including 0700 CALL LASWA and 08090129777. Its social media handles are @talktolaswa on Instagram and X.