Ètò: Revolutionising Port Access in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria – Once synonymous with crippling traffic and staggering economic losses, Nigeria’s busiest ports are seeing real transformation through the deployment of Ètò, an electronic call-up system built by Trucks Transit Parks Ltd. (TTP) in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). In this feature, Nigerian Tribune speaks with Irabor Akonoman, TTP’s Head of Operations, and Richard Emenim, Head of Corporate Development, to understand how Ètò has reshaped logistics, slashed haulage costs, and redefined access to Lagos port zones.

Before Ètò: Chaos, Extortion, and Economic Drain

Before 2021, Apapa and Tincan Island were overwhelmed. Port-bound trucks congested bridges and highways, clogging routes from Apapa to Mile 2, Oshodi, and even Obanikoro. “People sold their homes in Apapa because they couldn’t access them,” said Richard Emenim. Every trucker, whether they had business or not, tried to get into the port, creating disorder. Informal actors imposed illegal checkpoints, demanding fees of up to ₦300,000 per crossing.

Traffic congestion, before Ètò

This chaos wasn’t just inconvenient; it was economically devastating. “Nigeria lost about $10 billion annually due to the Apapa gridlock,” Irabor stated, citing reports from the Africa International Trade and Commerce Research. Haulage costs soared, often tripling. A journey that should cost ₦350,000 ballooned to over ₦1 million. Trucks took two to three weeks to move cargo, wrecking efficiency and spoiling perishables. As cargo was diverted to neighbouring ports, Nigeria forfeited vital revenue and trade.

Traffic congestion before Ètò

During-Ètò: Order, Speed, and Efficiency

Since the launch of Ètò in 2021, truck queues have declined dramatically. “Some corridors have seen an 80% reduction,” Richard confirmed. A drive from Oshodi to Tincan now takes 10–15 minutes, a trip that was once a multi-hour ordeal. Satellite imagery confirms the shift from chaos to sanity – where roads were once blocked with trucks, they are now clear.

Satellite images of road condition before Ètò (Source: BusinessPost)

Traffic congestion before Ètò (Drone footage)

More importantly, Ètò introduced predictability. “Transporters now know when to move and how long a trip will take,” Irabor explained. A journey that once lasted weeks now finishes in three days. Fuel consumption, warehousing, and demurrage costs have dropped significantly. Ètò also dismantled the informal payment network that cost truckers up to ₦300,000.

Cargo movement is faster, and logistics costs have dropped over 65%. Consumers benefit from lower prices, and exporters now send perishables without fear of spoilage. “Efficiency is real, evident and verifiable,” Irabor said.

After Ètò, freer roads (drone footage)

After Ètò, freer roads

Government Revenue and Trade Boost

This efficiency translates directly into increased revenue. Faster cargo clearance means more goods move, and more money is pumped into the economy. “Export boxes arrive earlier; vessels load faster; revenues go up,” said Irabor. Nigeria’s GDP benefits as port productivity improves.

Nigeria also rose 22 places in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index in 2023, moving from 110th to 88th. Ètò is being studied by countries across Africa. The International Maritime Organization even praised its structured approach during a visit, acknowledging the solution’s adaptability to Nigeria’s scale and complexity.

Ètò as Ecosystem: The Technology and People Behind It

Ètò is more than a scheduling app. It integrates satellite parks, pre-gates, RFID technology, IoT sensors, and a command-and-control centre into a single ecosystem. “Our model rests on three pillars: tech, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement,” said Irabor.

Real-time data from road observers informs decisions on truck releases. Field officers guide drivers, while command-centre teams monitor efficiency. TTP’s technology is 100% in-house – coded, engineered, and maintained by Nigerian teams.

“We’ve integrated with all major terminals at the ports and use a private radio network to connect parks across states,” Richard shared. Over 170 system features have been added since 2021 to improve control, ease, speed, and security of the Ètò system.

After Ètò

Investment and Measurable Impact

TTP has invested millions in the Ètò system. The impact is evident. A terminal once limited to 50 truck evacuations daily now processes 400–500. Tankers now move in and out of loading bays without hindrance.

TTP has also undertaken community-focused projects. It has rehabilitated roads around Lilypond and Ijora, restored the Apapa Club, and supported local communities like Ijora Badia to build adequate sanitation facilities as part of its commitment to community development. “We’re not just solving logistics; we’re rebuilding environments, and giving back to society”, said Richard.

Orderly arrangement of trucks in Lilypond Container Park

Ongoing Challenges: Technology, Policy, and Human Factors

Despite incredible milestones brought about by Ètò, some challenges remain. “Some users aren’t tech-savvy,” Richard noted. To tackle this, TTP continues to simplify the interface and expand training across different stakeholder groups and unions. More pressing is the delay in regulatory approvals for tools like RFID tags and EITN (Ètò Interchange Transaction Numbers). The EITN links each container or bulk cargo due for evacuation with a particular truck access booking on Ètò.

RFID tags, already prototyped by TTP, would prevent ticket resale and racketeering. “It’s a unique digital ID. You can’t duplicate or transfer it,” Richard explained. The EITN would help terminals confirm truck-cargo matching before processing. “With both solutions approved, fraud and delays would further drastically reduce, improving efficiency.”

Sample E-Tage StickerFR

Extortion is another concern. Despite dismantling illegal checkpoints, some actors create artificial bottlenecks. “They just relocate and start again elsewhere,” Irabor said. TTP continues to call for a firm consequence management system to hold offenders accountable.

What Comes Next: National Expansion and Digital Integration

TTP’s ambitions extend beyond Apapa and Tincan. It is developing a Yard Traffic Management System to help factories control and optimise truck movements on-site, complete with dashboards for real-time tracking.

They also plan to replicate Ètò across West Africa through a “logistics hub” network—transit trailer parks with facilities like laundries and fuel stations, all connected to Ètò. Manufacturers will be able to pre-plan routes, stopovers, and delivery timelines across states, and custom inspection centres across multiple borders will improve trade under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Tracking technology is in the works to help logistics firms monitor fleet movements, improve planning, and enhance cost efficiency. A national trade dashboard is also in development to help the government track cargo volumes, vessel activity, and terminal throughput in real-time.

“Currently, Customs, Immigration, and other agencies work in silos,” Richard said. TTP is proposing a unified portal with agency-specific modules. This will reduce paperwork, streamline clearances, and curb extortion while giving policymakers reliable data for national planning.

Conclusion

Ètò has turned chaos into coordination and sanity. From drastically reducing truck queues and slashing haulage costs to boosting revenue and restoring sanity to Lagos ports, it has set a new standard in logistics innovation and mobility technology. Built by Nigerians, for unique African challenges, Ètò is not just a solution—it’s a roadmap for transformation, that is suitable for replication across the region and beyond.

With further support, both from the public and private sectors, the Ètò system can scale continent-wide, bringing efficiency, transparency, and economic uplift to Africa’s logistics landscape and port communities.