£746m loan: FG begins payment of counterpart funding for Apapa, Tin-can ports

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has revealed that the Federal Government has begun paying the counterpart funding required to access the £746 million UK-backed loan for the upgrade of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

Speaking in an interview with selected maritime journalists on Wednesday evening, the NPA chief executive further disclosed that contractors are set to move to site following the completion of preliminary activities, including critical site investigations and borehole drilling.

According to Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho:

“The port modernisation programme has moved from planning into the active pre-construction and procurement phase, with significant progress on funding, site preparations, and new operational measures to tackle congestion.

“NPA has secured key financing and is now releasing funds. The Federal Government has begun paying the counterpart funding required to access the £746 million UK-backed loan for the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports upgrade. This is part of the broader $1 billion reconstruction programme for five major seaports.

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“Preliminary on-the-ground activities have already been completed. Critical site investigations, including borehole drilling, have been concluded. Contractors are now expected to mobilise to site, with the NPA having held technical stakeholder meetings to assess progress and address gaps.

“While physical construction has not yet begun, the NPA has confirmed that the groundbreaking for the Apapa and Tin Can modernisation projects is imminent.

“To manage congestion ahead of construction, the NPA has introduced a phased truck entry system. This demand-driven system releases trucks in batches to match terminal capacity.

“A joint task force has also been clearing access roads daily since June 2026 to prevent indiscriminate parking. The NPA is also deepening collaboration with customs agents to improve cargo evacuation.

“In summary, the NPA has secured the funding and completed the necessary site investigations. Contractors are mobilising, and the long-awaited groundbreaking for the reconstruction of the Apapa and Tin Can ports is expected within the next few weeks.”

On when the rehabilitation of the Apapa and Tin Can ports is expected to be completed, the NPA chief executive said:

“The NPA has made significant strides in the Federal Government’s Port Modernisation Programme, transitioning from planning to the pre-implementation phase for the reconstruction of major ports.

“Funding has also been secured for the rehabilitation of the Eastern Ports. The focus is now on the NPA finalising pre-construction activities, including stakeholder and host community engagement.

“The port modernisation programme is a long-term project. The reconstruction phase is expected to last 48 months (four years) for the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, with project completion projected for around late 2030, based on a Q3 2026 commencement date.

“As innovation remains the backbone of our digital systems, you will recall that the National Single Window (NSW) commenced operations in Q1 2026, while the Port Community System (PCS) was also launched in Q1 2026.

“Bear in mind that the ‘Eto’ electronic truck call-up system is being enforced, contributing to Apapa and Tin Can ports being ranked among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports. The programme aims to significantly boost cargo-handling capacity, sharply reduce congestion and logistics costs, attract foreign investment, and position Nigeria as a leading regional maritime hub.

“While the financial groundwork has been laid, Nigerians should expect physical, on-site improvements to become visible from late 2026 onwards, with the full transformation expected to take about four years to complete.”