MODERNIZING MARITIME TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA TOWARDS TRANSFORMATION INTO REGIONAL TRANSSHIPMENT HUB IN WEST AFRICA

Abstract

The study examines the impact of maritime transportation infrastructure on Nigeria’s economic growth and development. The objectives were to: assess the current state of maritime transportation infrastructure in Nigeria and identify critical gaps hindering its transformation into a regional transshipment hub; analyze global best practices and models of successful transshipment hubs (e.g., Singapore, Rotterdam, Djibouti) and evaluate their applicability to the Nigerian maritime context; examine the role of policy frameworks, institutional coordination, and regulatory reforms necessary for supporting maritime infrastructure modernization in Nigeria; evaluate the potential economic, trade, and employment benefits of developing Nigeria as a transshipment hub in West Africa; and propose strategic investments, technological upgrades, and public-private partnership (PPP) models required to achieve efficient, secure, and competitive maritime infrastructure in Nigeria. The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine the sample size of 272 out of 299, thus giving a 90.97% response rate. Observation and structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was coded and analyzed using the 4-point Likert Scale. The study finds, amongst others that the current port facilities in Nigeria are inadequate to handle large-scale transshipment operations; investment in maritime infrastructure would stimulate growth in related sectors such as logistics, warehousing, and inland transportation and transforming Nigeria into a transshipment hub would significantly boost national revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Accordingly, among others, the study recommends that government should consider expediting efforts towards strategic investment in deep seaports and logistics corridors to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as a transshipment hub and encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) towards financing and managing large-scale port and maritime infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

Keywords: Transshipment, public-private partnership, infrastructure, congestion, investment