By Tosin Clegg
In a bold move to modernize its maritime infrastructure and reposition itself as West Africa’s leading logistics hub, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the launch of a 5G-Enabled Smart-Port Corridor. This initiative will link the Apapa, Tin Can Island, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Snake Island free zones along the Lagos coastline, creating a seamless, real-time logistics ecosystem.
Nigeria’s major ports—Apapa, Tin Can Island, and the recently commissioned Lekki Deep Sea Port—handle over 90 percent of the nation’s international trade, processing approximately 5.7 million tonnes of cargo and more than 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) each year. However, the system has long struggled with inefficiencies stemming from manual operations, infrastructure bottlenecks, and disconnected digital platforms. These issues result in average cargo dwell times of 5 to 7 days, incurring billions of naira in demurrage fees and contributing to significant economic losses.
By leveraging the ultra-low latency, high device density, and network-slicing capabilities of 5G technology, the Smart-Port Corridor aims to overhaul cargo processing and logistics operations. The pilot phase will cover over 1 million square meters of yard space and 1,005 meters of quay at Apapa Port, enabling end-to-end automation of container movement, yard coordination, and equipment monitoring. The second phase will extend private 3.5 GHz 5G slices to Tin Can Island and the Lekki Free Zone via a hybrid fiber-5G backhaul network, targeting a combined throughput of 2.5 million TEUs annually.
Inspired by similar digital port enhancements in Ghana’s Tema Port—where EDI gate systems, real-time cargo tracking, and automation led to a 30 percent reduction in container dwell time—Nigerian officials anticipate similar gains. Key improvements include 5G-powered automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and remote-controlled gantry cranes to streamline yard operations; network-sliced IoT sensors embedded in quay cranes, bridges, and trucks for real-time data capture and predictive maintenance; and AI-driven gate systems capable of identifying trucks, matching them with electronic manifests, and granting automated access—thereby eliminating delays associated with manual checks.
Since the rollout of commercial 5G services by MTN in 2022 and Airtel in 2023, Nigeria has established over 2,100 active 5G sites across 13 cities, with Lagos leading the way. The Nigerian Communications Commission will fast-track spectrum licensing for exclusive port-use networks, while MTN, Airtel, and Mafab Communications are expected to provide base stations, private network cores, and edge-compute infrastructure to support the corridor’s connectivity. In parallel, the Federal Government’s Port Community System will be upgraded to process real-time 5G IoT streams, integrating Customs, NPA, and terminal operators for greater coordination and efficiency.
Analysts estimate that a 30 percent cut in cargo dwell time could enable an additional 350,000 container moves per month, potentially unlocking ₦500 billion in working capital and demurrage savings annually. Faster vessel turnaround times are expected to attract larger ships and increase port dues, while also revitalizing surrounding logistics sectors such as freight forwarding, warehousing, and trucking.
According to Adedotun Joel Oyekanmi, a digital economy advisor and former Product Manager at Bookings Africa, “This 5G-Enabled Smart-Port Corridor represents a turning point. It will not only decongest our busiest gateways but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in digital logistics and maritime innovation.”
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