By Sandra Chukwunyere
A Director of Customs and Extant Trade Facilitation at the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special Taskforce, Dr. Ibrahim Mahmoud Mubarak, has stressed that the development and modernisation of Nigerian ports must be driven by economic viability, investment capacity and demand for port services.
Mubarak made the submission while speaking during a panel session at the 4th MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture held in Lagos on September 10, 2026, with the theme: “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
He said the economic importance and geographical location of existing ports must be taken into consideration in decisions on the development of new deep seaports, noting that proposed projects must first attain sufficient economic maturity and demonstrate the capacity to attract the huge capital investment required.
According to him, the emergence of deep seaports in areas such as Akwa Ibom and other locations would depend largely on economic indices, including industrial activities and major energy projects capable of generating sufficient cargo and other port-related activities.
Mubarak emphasised that “port development is driven by economics,” adding that demand for port services and the availability of capital to finance multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects are critical considerations in port development.
He said the development of new ports should therefore be based on clear economic fundamentals rather than simply the desire to establish port facilities in different locations.
On maritime security and the cost implications of war-risk insurance on Nigerian shipping, Mubarak acknowledged concerns over the premiums placed on Nigerian waters but said the issue required stronger intervention by relevant government agencies and regulators, particularly through bilateral and international trade negotiations.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies had recorded progress in reducing piracy incidents in Nigerian waters, but cautioned that international maritime security bodies and insurers also rely on broader security indicators when determining the level of risk associated with Nigerian waters.
The Customs expert explained that incidents involving stowaways, unauthorised access to ports and other maritime security concerns could continue to influence the international perception of risk, even where actual piracy incidents had declined.
He therefore called for stronger efforts to communicate Nigeria’s maritime security improvements to the international community, while urging relevant agencies to escalate discussions on war-risk insurance and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
Mubarak said the discussions at the MARAN lecture had highlighted several critical areas for improving port competitiveness, including modernisation, integration, technology, institutional coordination and institutional reorientation.
He identified duplication of responsibilities among government agencies as one of the issues that should be addressed through greater integration, stressing that technological advancement and institutional collaboration would be essential to achieving more efficient port operations.
According to him, greater coordination among agencies would help reduce overlapping functions, improve the efficiency of processes and create a more seamless operating environment for port users and other stakeholders.
He also called for a change in the mindset of stakeholders within the maritime sector, noting that the effectiveness of any modernisation programme would ultimately depend on how stakeholders approach their responsibilities and work towards common national objectives.
Mubarak stressed that investment in infrastructure and technology alone would not be sufficient to transform the country’s ports without the necessary institutional cooperation and commitment from stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
He commended MARAN for providing a platform for stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting Nigerian ports and urged the association to continue amplifying issues affecting the competitiveness of the nation’s maritime sector.
