NPA Moves to Tackle Rail, Logistics Bottlenecks at Inland Dry Ports

Nigeria’s efforts to improve cargo transportation beyond its coastal seaports are receiving renewed attention, with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) identifying rail connectivity, infrastructure upgrades and logistics efficiency as priorities for making inland dry ports more effective.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the connection between Nigeria’s maritime gateways and inland commercial centres, where inadequate transport links and operational constraints can affect the movement of imported and exported goods.

The development followed a meeting between NPA management, led by Managing Director Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and representatives of Dala Inland Dry Port and Funtua Inland Dry Port at the authority’s corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos.

The engagement came after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, directed the transfer of operational oversight of inland dry ports to the NPA.

NPA Seeks Infrastructure Upgrades for Inland Cargo Operations

Speaking during the meeting, Dantsoho said inland dry ports must improve their infrastructure and technical capabilities to keep pace with the modernisation of Nigeria’s seaports.

He explained that investments in equipment, technology and cargo-handling capacity would be necessary for the facilities to accommodate increasing freight volumes and operate more efficiently within the national port system.

According to the NPA chief, improvements at inland terminals should complement developments taking place at seaports rather than leave a gap between cargo handling at the coast and its onward movement into the hinterland.

The authority is also promoting digitalisation across port operations, including the Port Community System (PCS) and the proposed National Single Window. Dantsoho stressed that inland dry ports would need comparable technological capabilities to support the wider integration of cargo documentation and logistics processes.

For importers, exporters and freight operators, effective coordination between seaports and inland terminals could help improve cargo visibility, reduce avoidable delays and make the movement of goods more predictable.

Rail Connectivity Emerges as a Major Challenge

Rail access was among the key concerns raised during the engagement, with the delegation drawing attention to inadequate connections and wider logistics difficulties affecting inland dry ports.

Reliable rail links can provide an alternative to road transportation for moving large volumes of cargo over long distances. Where rail connections are unavailable or inefficient, businesses may have to depend more heavily on trucks, potentially increasing transportation costs and adding pressure to road networks.

However, improving rail connectivity requires more than identifying a route. Effective operations depend on suitable rail infrastructure, connections to terminal facilities, reliable services and coordination among the agencies and companies responsible for freight transportation.

The concerns raised by the inland dry port representatives therefore point to a broader challenge: ensuring that investments in port infrastructure are supported by transport networks capable of moving cargo efficiently beyond the coastline.

Private Investment Considered Important to Expansion

Dantsoho also called for stronger private-sector participation in the development of inland dry port infrastructure, highlighting the importance of investment in modern equipment and improved operational capacity.

He cited APM Terminals’ establishment of an Export Processing Terminal in Northern Nigeria as an example of private-sector involvement in inland logistics infrastructure.

Private investment could help mobilise the funding, technology and operational expertise needed to strengthen cargo-handling facilities. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on commercially viable operations, supporting infrastructure and clear coordination between public authorities and private operators.

For inland dry ports seeking to attract more cargo, improvements in service reliability, processing times and connections to major transport corridors will be important considerations.

Dala and Funtua Facilities to Receive NPA Assessment

The NPA managing director said the authority was working to optimise the inland port system and confirmed plans to visit the Dala and Funtua inland dry ports to assess their operating conditions and infrastructure needs.

The proposed visits could provide an opportunity to identify facility-specific constraints and determine where improvements are most urgently required.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hassan Bello welcomed the transfer of operational oversight to the NPA and expressed appreciation for what he described as a smooth transition.

Bello also referred to the gazetted Port Act, which recognises inland dry ports as official ports of origin and destination. This legal recognition provides an important basis for their role in Nigeria’s freight and trade network.

Nevertheless, formal recognition alone does not guarantee efficient operations. The facilities must also have adequate transport links, cargo-handling equipment, effective procedures and the commercial support needed to attract regular freight traffic.

Why Inland Dry Ports Matter to Nigeria’s Economy

Inland dry ports are designed to extend port-related services closer to businesses and consumers located far from the coast. Depending on their facilities and regulatory arrangements, they can support cargo handling, storage, customs-related processes and the movement of goods between inland markets and seaports.

For businesses in northern Nigeria, stronger inland port operations could improve access to international trade routes without requiring every stage of cargo processing to take place at coastal terminals.

More effective inland logistics could also support exporters by improving access to shipping networks and facilitating the movement of products from production centres to export gateways.

The potential benefits will depend on how well inland terminals are connected to roads, railways, warehouses and other logistics services. Without reliable connections, the advantages of locating port-related services inland may be reduced by additional handling, delays and transportation costs.

What Happens Next?

The immediate priority is to translate the NPA’s stated commitments into practical improvements across the inland dry port network.

The planned assessments of Dala and Funtua should help clarify their infrastructure requirements, while closer collaboration with government agencies and private operators could support efforts to address rail and logistics constraints.

Other important indicators will include investment in cargo-handling equipment, the availability of dependable freight services, the integration of digital systems and measurable improvements in cargo processing and delivery times.

The NPA has outlined the direction of its approach, but the impact on businesses will ultimately depend on implementation, investment and sustained coordination across the transport and maritime sectors.

For now, the engagement signals a renewed focus on making inland dry ports a more effective part of Nigeria’s port system, with rail access and end-to-end logistics coordination remaining central to that ambition.