NPA’s Anda Wins Most Resourceful Port Manager Award
Nifemi Coker
“I want to thank the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and his management team for giving me the opportunity to serve. Working in the kind of environment where I found myself requires great teamwork and as you can see around me now, I have my very efficient team always with me and so I am very proud to have this team. I also give glory to God for everything including the recognition that I got today”
Above are some of the emotions that pervaded the atmosphere as the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) held its 2026 Conference and Awards with the theme: Attaining Ports Efficiency In The Face Of Emerging Technology”.
The Conference and Awards took place Thursday at the Conference room of the Rockview hotel, Apapa with big industry players in Attendance. The occasion which was chaired by the cerebral Barr. Jean Chiazor-Anishere delved succinctly into what are required to make the Nigerian Ports more efficient.
In her opening speech, the President of AMJON, Vera Osokpo noted that “Artificial Intelligence is clearing cargo in Singapore. Blockchain is tracking containers in Rotterdam. Ghana runs a 24-hour port with one platform”.
Meanwhile, UN-SEE-TAD tells us 90% of Nigeria’s trade passes through our ports. The World Bank says every day of delay cuts 5% of that trade. LCCI says we lose $19 billion a year to inefficiency”.
She urged everyone present saying “We ask for three things: Access to information, respect for the media, and sincerity of purpose. Give us those three, and together we will tell the world that Nigerian ports can work”.
The managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho was represented by the Port Manager, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Mr. Emmanuel Anda. In his presentation, he underscored the urgent need for accelerated port modernisation to position Nigeria for optimal benefits under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He opined that “Port modernisation is not merely an infrastructure project it is a national economic priority”.
Mr. ANDA said that the development of deep seaports, particularly Lekki Port is expanding Nigeria’s trade capabilities.
On digital transformation he informed those present that the NPA is advancing the Port Community System and supporting the implementation of the National Single Window to enhance stakeholder integration, reduce delays, and improve transparency.
Again, he outlined key reforms being driven by the Authority, including infrastructure upgrades at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports aimed at boosting capacity, improving berth productivity, and reducing vessel turnaround time.
The Lekki Deep Sea Port Manager also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency through faster cargo clearance processes and reduced dwell time, as well as enhanced connectivity via rail links, inland dry ports, barging operations, and export corridors.
In his own presentation, a former member of the Federal House of Assembly, Mufutau Egbeorongbe advocates for urgent adoption of emerging technologies to improve efficiency across Nigerian ports, warning that outdated systems are no longer sustainable in modern maritime trade.
Mr. Egbeorongbe noted that “Ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and economic growth, but many continue to struggle with congestion, delays, high operational costs, and infrastructure deficits. He noted that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, automation, and digital twin systems are reshaping port operations globally.
On his part as while speaking on the role of host communities, Dr.Mike Egbeyalo noted that “Port host communities are critical stakeholders in maritime economies, yet they often bear disproportionate environmental and social costs of port operations”.
He concluded that prosperity requires a shift to sustainablilty-driven Port management anchored on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
The Award session saw several persons cart away laurels of different categories. The Award for the Most Resourceful Manager of the Year 2025 was given to Mr. Emmanuel Anda, his citation reads:
Mr Anda started his Nursery School education just opposite this award ground of Rock View Hotel. He attended Corona Nursery School, Apapa. He finished from there and attended Corona Primary School, Apapa. The school is also on the same street further down the road.
He attended the prestigious Federal Government College Lagos and proceeded to the University of Lagos for his first degree. He also got his second degree, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, majoring in Policy at the University of Lagos.
Emmanuel Anda started work in February, 1993 as a Traffic Officer 11. Rose through the ranks having worked in virtually all units in the Traffic department.
From the Port Exit Gates to the Car Parks, Container Terminals to Operations to Administration unit and the Receiving section. He also worked in the Shed and Export units. Mr Anda has worked in Roro Port (Roll On Roll Off), Tin Can Island Port Complex proper, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, Lagos Port Complex to name a few. He has been members of several in-house committees, one of which advised on the Badagry Sea Port.
Mr Anda was the pioneer NPA Manager at PTML Terminal in Tincan Island Port Complex.
He was also the pioneer take off Manager of the NPA Call up system at Lilypond Ijora which later metamorphosed into Eto Call-up system.
Mr Anda has been Terminal Manager, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, acting Traffic Manager, Tincan Island Port Complex twice, substantive Traffic Manager, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, substantive traffi Manager, Lagos Port Complex and is now the Port Manager of Nigeria’s super bride Lekki Deep Seaport.
His exploits and success story in Lekki.
Mr. Anda spoke further about the occasion in a private interview . He predicts that “over the next ten years, a lot of deep sea ports would have been fully been developed, what with ours, the Lekki Deep Sea Port in operation now and others like the proposed, Dangote Deep Sea Port, Badagry, Ibom and Excravors Deep Sea Ports are slso in the pipeline”.
“The other Sea Ports currently operating as the major Ports, but with shallow droughts shall become less relevant and more of transit points for cargoes, receiving transhipment from others”.
Also, the chairman of the occasion, Barr Jean Chiazor-Anishere in a interview said that “I want to commend AMJON for coming up with such topical theme. We know that the world has gone digital and there is a need for the media to tell the government about what it needs to do in order for us to have the needful”.
The federal government to me is doing its best to automate the ports, what with the efforts to make the Ports smart. Most of our Ports are old and they are attempting to rejuvenate the existing Ports as well as encouraging the building of Deep Sea Ports”. She concluded.
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