River Port and Deep-Sea Port Developments in Nigeria: Implications for West African Gateways and Hinterland Markets

Abstract

The steady development of river and deep-sea ports in Nigeria are examined, with a special focus on the changing trends of inter-port competition in-country and among West African rivals. In 2018, whereas Togo overtook Nigeria in annual container throughput volume and Onne Port, from 2015, recorded higher throughput volume in-country, than the two previously dominant Lagos ports, other regional rivals such as Cotonou, Tema, Abidjan and San Pedro recorded higher year-on-year throughput increases than Nigeria, posing the logical question of what the future holds in a vibrant liberalized market apparently set for redefinition through Chinese intervention. The study used archival, primary and secondary sources and qualitative analytical methodology. Interviews of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) staff, port operators and cargo logistics agents were conducted and latest throughput data of Nigerian ports were verified during the research. The findings include the high number of Nigerian deep-sea port proposals which are hardly supported by the current national (and transshipment) traffic volumes, and even less so by the weak multimodal transport infrastructure, although the new China-backed Lekki Deep-sea Port might redeem lost grounds. The study recommends ways NPA can use the new presidential orders to redirect unfavourable traffic flow patterns in the region.