Listen to story here
Nigeria’s ports are not ready for ships that sail without crews, and the gap is wide. The nation scored 1.9 out of 5 in a port-readiness assessment for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), Capt. Olugbenga Abidoye told maritime stakeholders on Saturday.
“The question is no longer if they will come to Lagos. The question is when they will come to Lagos,” he said, noting that autonomous vessels are already operating elsewhere.
Presenting his paper, at the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Summit, “Preparing Nigerian Ports for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Operations: Beyond Infrastructure to Institutional Readiness,” Abidoye said preparation rests on four areas: physical infrastructure, digital systems, institutional capacity and operational procedures.
He warned that weak coordination among maritime agencies and gaps in existing rules could complicate the arrival of autonomous vessels.
Abidoye, however, called for a review of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, with clear procedures for emergencies, communication failures and remote vessel operations.
The International Maritime Organization is working towards a mandatory framework for autonomous ships by July 2032. Abidoye cautioned that this does not oblige any port to accept them, but said readiness would be vital to Nigeria’s competitiveness. “Readiness must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
In a separate paper, “Port Stimulus and Economic Growth: The Nigerian Experience,” Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu listed ageing infrastructure, shallow drafts, congestion, delays, cargo diversion and bureaucratic inefficiency as the biggest obstacles facing Nigerian ports.
He discussed a proposed modernisation programme of about $1 billion, covering Apapa, Tin Can Island, Warri, Onne and Calabar, stressing the need for balanced investment in Eastern and Western ports, better channel management, improved road access, smart and sustainable port design, and growth in ship repair, dry docking and bunkering.
Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Dr. Bolaji Thompson said the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025, targets seven per cent annual sector growth and new jobs.
He posited that the ministry figures show revenue rising from about N700 billion in 2023 to over N1.8 trillion in 2025. He cited more than three years without piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, ongoing rehabilitation at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, and expanded seafarer training, among others as evidence that the Ministry is fully committed to the development of the sector.
The Minister also expressed willingness to deepen engagement with NAMM on policy, training and maritime security.
While the outgoing NAMM President, Capt. Tajudeen Alao welcomed government representatives, agency heads, industry stakeholders and the press; the new leadership received encouragement and counsel from Aare Adebayo Sarunmi, Chairman of Mission to Seafarers (MTS) Lagos and Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman, STARZS Investment Company Limited (SICL).
Former Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, also congratulated the new leadership and challenged it to outdo its predecessors. He said the nation must move from policy talk to practical implementation, and commended NAMM’s role in training and mentoring maritime professionals.
The newly elected executives are: Capt. Olajide Olugunwa (President), Capt. (Dr) Michael Ogbekile (Senior Vice President), Capt. Ambrose Ojuyenum (Vice President), Capt. (Dr) Rasheed Onakoya (General Secretary), Capt. Joseph Adamu-Alamba (Publicity Secretary), Capt. Olanrewaju Begusa (Financial Secretary), Capt. Steve Olabode Akintade (Assistant Secretary), Capt. Benedict Ofili (Treasurer) and Capt. (Barr) Ladi Olanrewaju (Legal Adviser).
