Lekki Port Woo Stakeholders on 24hours Operations, Smart Infrastructure, Economic Potentials

Lekki Port’s transformative role in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector was brought into sharp focus during the 5th edition of the Journal NG Town Hall held on Thursday, April 17, 2024.

At the landmark forum convened to explore gaps in achieving 24-hour port operations in Nigeria, Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port, delivered an impactful presentation detailing the port’s infrastructure, operational achievements, and role in shaping the future of trade in Nigeria.

The event began with a warm welcome by Mr. Ismail Aniemu, publisher of Journal NG and convener of the town hall series. In his address, he reaffirmed the platform’s commitment to driving policy discussions that catalyze change in Nigeria’s port and trade environment.

“This forum is more than just a meeting—it’s a movement,” Aniemu said. “We must go beyond workshops and engage in meaningful dialogue that results in actionable outcomes. Whether it’s Sapele, Koko, or Lekki, every Nigerian port has the potential to be a smart port.”

In his opening remarks, former President of NAGAFF, Dr. Eugene Nweke, stressed the importance of collective responsibility and strategic alignment in the journey toward 24-hour port operations.

“This is not about pointing fingers. It’s about national pride, policy alignment, and infrastructural will. To move forward, we must adopt a holistic view—embracing collaboration, investing in technology, and strengthening inter-agency efficiency,” he emphasised.

In his keynote presentation, Daniel Odibe highlighted Lekki Port’s impressive infrastructure—including a 2-kilometre-long breakwater (the longest in Nigeria), 16.5-meter draft, and 680-meter quay length in the phase 1 development—positioning Lekki Port as the only port in the country capable of handling the world’s largest container vessels. He noted that Lekki Port is a product of a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and has already begun transforming the maritime landscape.

“Lekki Port is more than a port; it is a symbol of what is possible when vision meets collaboration. Built at a cost of $1.5 billion, it is projected to deliver $201 billion in revenue to the government and create over 170,000 jobs,” Odibe stated.
Odibe also emphasised the port’s innovative systems, including automated gate processes, biometric truck appointments, and drive-through scanners—all designed to reduce human interference and improve efficiency.

He explained that these are essential for enabling round-the-clock operations in a country where many ports still struggle with physical examination bottlenecks.

He further noted the port’s integration into Nigeria’s broader industrial ecosystem, citing its location within the Lagos Free Zone and proximity to major infrastructure such as the Dangote Refinery and the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Current operations already include 30–40% cargo evacuation by barge, with rail integration underway.

The forum, hosted by Journal NG, brought together key figures in port operations, customs, trade facilitation, and policy development with discussions centred on bridging the gap between aspiration and implementation in achieving seamless 24/7 port operations across Nigeria.

“If we are serious about trade facilitation and economic growth, Lekki Port is the blueprint. We’ve moved from vision to execution—and the results are evident,” Odibe concluded.

The event served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and recommendations for a more efficient, tech-driven port ecosystem. With the spotlight firmly on Lekki Port, the consensus was clear: the future of Nigerian ports is here—and it’s smart, scalable, and already in motion.