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Although AI can improve efficiency and decision-making in port operations, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, cybersecurity remains fundamental to ensuring ports can continue to function during attempted system compromise, writes TOLA ADENUBI. Excerpts:

The growing threat of cyberattacks to port operations, international trade and economic stability has prompted the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, to call for stronger cybersecurity measures, regional intelligence sharing and common digital standards across African ports.

Dantsoho, who is also the president of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), warned recently that the increasing adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in port operations could expose African countries to significant economic disruptions if cybersecurity is not treated as an integral part of maritime security.

Speaking at the African Ports Conference in Casablanca, Morocco, Dantsoho cited cyber incidents involving South Africa’s Transnet, the Port of Nagoya in Japan and DP World terminals in Australia as examples of how attacks on digital infrastructure could disrupt port operations and international commerce.

‘In July 2021, a cyberattack on Transnet forced South Africa’s container terminals to declare force majeure. In 2023, cyber incidents disrupted the Port of Nagoya and DP World terminals across Australia for days. These were not merely IT problems. They were interruptions to trade,’ he said.

The NPA managing director stressed that the digital transformation of African ports must be accompanied by adequate security arrangements to protect operational systems, cargo information, revenue collection and the exchange of data among port stakeholders.

‘AI can help a port work more intelligently, but cybersecurity protects its ability to work at all,’ Dantsoho said.

Dantsoho, who is the vice president of IAPH African Region, warned that the growing interconnection of port systems, government agencies, shipping companies, terminal operators and other service providers could create vulnerabilities if appropriate safeguards were not implemented.

Dantsoho particularly cautioned against allowing digital platforms designed to simplify trade procedures to become single points of failure capable of disrupting entire port communities. ‘A single window must not become a single point of failure,’ he said.

Nigeria has recently advanced its port digitalisation efforts through the implementation of the National Single Window and a better version of the Port Community System, which are intended to improve coordination among Customs, terminal operators, shipping lines and regulatory agencies.

However, Dantsoho maintained that the benefits of such platforms would depend on the ability of port authorities and their partners to protect the systems from cyber threats while ensuring that essential operations could continue during disruptions.

He outlined five principles for strengthening cybersecurity at Nigerian ports, including integrating cyber protection into broader port security arrangements, separating operational technology from administrative networks, establishing security requirements for connected partners, testing recovery systems and training personnel to identify and report threats.

He said cybersecurity should be treated with the same seriousness as physical port security, with measures aligned with relevant International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) requirements and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards. ‘Treat cybersecurity as part of port security, alongside physical security and relevant ISPS and IMO requirements,’ he said.

The NPA boss also called for a clear separation between operational systems and administrative networks to reduce the risk of an attack on one system spreading to critical port infrastructure. He urged port authorities to ensure that terminal operators, technology providers and other connected partners complied with agreed cybersecurity standards.

‘Require connected partners to meet agreed security standards,’ he said, adding that ports must prepare tested backups, rehearse recovery procedures and establish practical alternatives for maintaining operations when digital systems fail.

Dantsoho emphasised that having a written recovery plan was insufficient without evidence that it could work under real operating conditions. ‘A recovery plan is not proven because it exists. It is proven because it works,’ he said.

He further identified human capacity as an important component of cybersecurity, noting that port employees must be equipped to recognise suspicious activities, report threats and respond appropriately to security incidents.

The NPA managing director said the success of digital transformation would depend not only on acquiring technology, but also on developing the expertise and institutional discipline required to operate and protect it.

Beyond cybersecurity, Dantsoho said artificial intelligence could help African ports address longstanding operational challenges, including vessel waiting times, cargo delays, inefficient truck movements, revenue leakages and unexpected equipment failures. He argued that the value of a smart port should be measured by the improvements it delivers to port users and national economies rather than the volume of technology deployed.

‘A smart African port is not defined by how much technology it buys. It is defined by the performance it delivers. How quickly are vessels served? How long does cargo remain? What does it cost to move a container? Are systems reliable, and is revenue properly accounted for? ‘These are the measures that give meaning to innovation,’ he said.

Dantsoho said AI applications could improve vessel arrival forecasts, berth planning and pilotage scheduling, thereby reducing uncertainty and waiting times for vessels. He also identified opportunities to integrate truck appointments with yard capacity and vessel schedules, allowing port gates, storage yards and quays to operate as a coordinated system instead of functioning as separate points of congestion.

Highlighting Nigeria’s experience, Dantsoho said the country was laying the foundations for more intelligent port operations through investments in digital coordination, infrastructure modernisation and improved traffic management. He explained that the NPA oversees seven ports across the country, from Lagos to Calabar, each with different infrastructure, cargo profiles and levels of digital maturity. According to him, these differences make it necessary to develop solutions that reflect the operational realities of individual ports rather than impose a uniform approach without considering local requirements.

He recalled that cargo previously remained at Lagos ports for as long as three weeks, while the Apapa access road, designed to accommodate approximately 2,400 trucks daily, carried more than 7,000 trucks.

The resulting congestion undermined reliability, increased delays and diverted trade, highlighting the need for coordinated reforms across port infrastructure, transport corridors and digital systems.

Dantsoho said the NPA began by addressing fundamental operational challenges before moving towards more advanced technologies. ‘The Eto electronic truck call-up system helped address corridor gridlock. This year, we went live with the National Single Window and a beta version of the Port Community System, advancing digital coordination among Customs, terminals, shipping lines and regulators,’ he stated.

He said the reforms were already producing encouraging results, pointing to Nigeria’s performance in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2025. According to him, Tin Can Island Port ranked tenth and Apapa Port twelfth among the world’s most improved ports in the index released in June 2026. He added that Nigeria’s cargo throughput increased by 24.8 per cent to 129.3 million metric tonnes in 2025.

Although he acknowledged that the country’s port transformation remained a work in progress, Dantsoho said the experience demonstrated the importance of establishing reliable digital foundations before deploying AI on a wider scale. ‘Our work is not complete. But the lesson is clear: digitalisation creates the information base; AI helps turn information into better decisions. We must build in that order,’ he stressed.

The NPA is also implementing a $1 billion modernisation programme for Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, a development Dantsoho said presented an opportunity to incorporate intelligent maintenance systems and secure digital infrastructure into the country’s port renewal efforts.

He stressed that cybersecurity considerations should be integrated into infrastructure projects from the design stage rather than introduced after systems had been deployed.

The NPA managing director said African ports could not effectively address cybersecurity threats and operational inefficiencies through isolated national efforts because maritime trade routes, shipping schedules and cargo corridors were interconnected.

He explained that disruptions affecting one port could have consequences for other ports and inland destinations, particularly along major regional trade corridors.

As PMAWCA president, Dantsoho proposed four priorities for strengthening regional cooperation among member ports.

The first is the sharing of cyber threat intelligence through designated contacts, timely alerts and the exchange of lessons from security incidents.

The second is the development of common data standards that would enable different port platforms to exchange essential information, even where the systems themselves are not identical.

The third involves benchmarking port performance and strengthening professional training through regional cooperation.

He disclosed that the NPA had developed a port performance benchmarking framework in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and expressed the authority’s readiness to share the experience with other African ports.

The fourth priority is deeper engagement with technology suppliers and development partners to establish common requirements covering cybersecurity, interoperability, skills transfer and data sovereignty.

Dantsoho also proposed the establishment of a PMAWCA working group on artificial intelligence and data governance, with cybersecurity and digital resilience incorporated into its responsibilities.

He called on each member port to identify one high-impact AI pilot project supported by a baseline assessment, an accountable implementation team and measurable performance targets.

‘I invite each member port to identify one high-impact AI pilot, with a baseline, an accountable team and a measurable target.

Start with the problem-not the product,’ he said.

He said progress on the proposed initiatives should be reported at PMAWCA’s next Annual Council in Sipopo, Malabo, while assuring member ports that the NPA was prepared to share both its successes and the challenges encountered in Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi, has described the outcome of the 2023 general elections in the state as a wake-up call, vowing that the party will stage a stronger comeback in 2027.

Ojelabi expressed confidence that the ruling party would defeat opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, through intensified grassroots mobilisation and sustained engagement with voters.

He spoke at the launch of the Iyaloja General Movement for Renewed Hope, where he said the APC was determined to consolidate its achievements and secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the party is leaving nothing to chance despite being the ruling party, as it continues to mobilise support across states and local government areas.

‘You can see the seriousness the All Progressives Congress attaches to the forthcoming general election. Most of the political activities taking place now are centred on the APC,’ he said.

Ojelabi noted that the emergence of several support groups and their activities across the country reflected the party’s determination to retain power in 2027.

He said the APC was reaching out to voters to explain the achievements of the Tinubu administration and the Lagos State government, expressing confidence that the electorate would reward the party at the polls.

The Lagos APC chairman said the party had learnt important lessons from the 2023 elections, when its dominance in the state faced a significant challenge.

Lagos, traditionally a stronghold of the APC and its predecessors, witnessed a competitive presidential election in 2023, with the Labour Party’s Peter Obi winning the state.

Describing the experience as a wake-up call, Ojelabi said the party was prepared to demonstrate its strength in the forthcoming elections.

‘What happened during the 2023 election, to me, is a wake-up call. And you will see the wonders that we are going to perform come 16th of January and 6th of February, by the grace of God,’ he said.

He urged Lagos residents to assess the performance of the APC-led government and reciprocate its efforts through their votes.

Ojelabi also dismissed concerns about the proposed Rainbow Coalition and whether the APC would require its support to win the 2027 presidential election.

He maintained that the priority of the party and other political actors should be to ensure Tinubu’s re-election, irrespective of the coalition arrangements being considered.

‘Whether coalition or no coalition, everybody is speaking one language. The language of making sure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Aso Rock,’ he said.

The APC chairman added that the party would continue to strengthen its support base and mobilise voters ahead of the general elections.

?Many suburban communities in Nigeria welcome solar streetlights with excitement. Residents look forward to well-lit streets, better security, and nighttime business activity. However, that joy often turns to disappointment after barely six months when the lights go completely dark. ?According to research published in the Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH), a significant number of standalone solar streetlights installed across developing communities experience early operational failure due to poor component selection and inadequate system monitoring.

?In this article, Tribune Online examines the five major technical and environmental factors responsible for these rapid failures and what can be done to keep solar streetlights shining bright.

?Low-quality batteries and deep over-discharge

?The battery serves as the heart of any solar lighting system because it stores energy collected during the day to power the LED bulb at night.

?Contractors sometimes install cheap lead-acid batteries or low-grade lithium cells to cut installation costs.

These inferior batteries cannot withstand daily deep discharge cycles. Over six months of continuous night usage, their capacity drops drastically until they can no longer hold enough charge to power the light through the night.

?Dust, harmattan soot, and neglected cleaning

?Solar panels require clean surface glass to convert sunlight into direct electrical current efficiently.

?In suburban areas with unpaved roads and construction sites, heavy dust and seasonal Harmattan haze quickly coat the glass panels.

Heavy dust and soot accumulation on solar panels can reduce total power generation by up to 40 percent. This drop prevents the battery from fully charging, causing early system shutdown every night.

?Substandard charge controllers and poor wiring

?The charge controller acts as the brain of the solar streetlight by regulating current flow from the panel to the battery and controlling light activation at dusk.

?Substandard controllers lack protection against voltage surges and extreme outdoor temperatures. Poor wiring connections made during rush installations often loosen due to wind vibration or corrode from rainwater ingress.

When moisture gets into unsealed joints, it causes short circuits that destroy the controller within months.

?Wrong panel orientation and shading from trees

?A solar panel must receive direct, unobstructed sunlight for at least six hours daily to generate sufficient power.

?During installation, technicians sometimes mount panels flat or position them toward trees and tall buildings without considering seasonal sun angles. Over time, growing tree branches cast shadows across the panel surface. Even partial shading across a few cells drastically reduces overall panel voltage and prevents full daily charging.

?Total lack of routine community maintenance

?Solar streetlights are not ‘install and forget’ devices; they require periodic checks to maintain performance.

?Many local government authorities and community associations fail to set up maintenance schedules or assign trained personnel to inspect the installations.

Simple maintenance steps such as wiping panel surfaces every three months, trimming overgrown branches, and tightening loose structural bolts are routinely ignored.

Without basic upkeep, small manageable faults quickly escalate into permanent system breakdowns before six months elapse.

Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded words over a 2021 newspaper interview in which the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, criticised Governor Seyi Makinde’s handling of the state’s debt profile.

The APM has accused the APC of attempting to discredit Adekanmbi by circulating the interview ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the publication should be understood within the political context in which it was granted.

Oladayo Ogunbowale, Senior Assistant on Communications to Governor Makinde and a member of the Media Committee of the Oyo State APM Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council, made the position known in a statement titled, ‘The APC’s Desperation: Why Circulating a 2021 Interview Proves They Fear Bimbo Adekanmbi.’

Ogunbowale explained that Adekanmbi was a member of the APC in 2021 and had served as Commissioner for Finance and Budget under the administration of the late former governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

He added that Adekanmbi left the APC on February 5, 2022, before joining the Peoples Democratic Party and later the APM, under which he is seeking election as governor of Oyo State.

‘By digging up a five-year-old interview, the APC is trying to use a man’s past loyalty to a party he has since left as a weapon against him,’ Ogunbowale said.

The interview, published under the headline, ‘Makinde Is Deceiving Oyo People About Debt Reduction,’ focused on the state government’s claims concerning debt reduction and management.

Ogunbowale argued that the circulation of the interview was an attempt to portray Adekanmbi negatively without considering the political circumstances surrounding his comments at the time.

He also criticised the APC-led Federal Government over Nigeria’s debt profile and economic challenges, arguing that the party should be prepared to defend its record rather than focus on Adekanmbi’s previous statements.

‘If anything, that 2021 publication proves he has always been a watchdog for the financial health of Oyo State, a quality the APC lacks entirely,’ he said.

The APM campaign council member further maintained that Adekanmbi’s previous initiatives and policy proposals on youth empowerment, education, agriculture and internet access remained central to his political agenda.

He cited the Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O), Adekanmbi’s sponsorship of 100 students at the Technical University, Ibadan, and his proposals to expand internet access and strengthen agricultural value chains as examples of his commitment to development.

‘These were not just talking points in 2021; they are part of his core manifesto as the APM governorship candidate today,’ Ogunbowale said.

He challenged the APC to focus on presenting its policies and record of performance rather than revisiting Adekanmbi’s former political affiliation.

‘If the APC believes this 2021 interview is the silver bullet that will destroy Adekanmbi’s candidacy, they are deeply mistaken,’ he said.

Ogunbowale also claimed that Adekanmbi’s departure from the APC is a reflection of his disagreement with the party’s direction, although there was no mention of the circumstances that led to the disagreement.

He urged residents of Oyo State to assess the candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship election based on their records, policy proposals and plans for the state.

Conclisivly, an appeal was made to voters to consider Adekanmbi’s agenda on financial management, youth empowerment and support for vulnerable groups rather than what Ogunbowale described as recycled political attacks.

The Federal Government has approved the development of the proposed King Amachree Airport at Elem Ifoko in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, subject to the fulfilment of 11 conditions set by the aviation regulatory authorities.

The approval was conveyed in a letter signed by Engr. P. T. Vembe, Director of the Aerodrome Development Department of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, on behalf of the minister. It was addressed to Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill, Executive Director of Royal Fouche Services Limited, the company that sought the approval.

The letter, with reference number FMA/ADD/402/S.101/C.1/1/88 and dated October 26, 2026, followed an earlier application dated June 25, 2026, with reference number RF/MOA/NG/001, as well as a site inspection and assessment conducted by the Ministerial Technical Team from September 2 to 4, 2026.

The approval letter read: ‘I am directed to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister for the development of the proposed King Amachree Airport at Elem Ifoko, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, at the geographical coordinates of Latitude 4°23’21.7″ N and Longitude 7°00’52.2″E.’

It added: ‘This approval is subject to the fulfilment of the following requirements,’ beginning with the ‘preparation and submission of a comprehensive Airport Master Plan detailing the proposed development, phasing, facilities and associated infrastructure.’

The ministry also requested ‘a detailed engineering assessment of the canal traversing the proposed airport site to determine the most suitable solution, whether through diversion or realignment of the canal, or the construction of an appropriate bridge or other suitable crossing structure.’

Another condition requires ‘detailed hydrological, hydraulic and drainage studies to assess and address flooding risks, tidal influences, seasonal water movements and stormwater management requirements at the proposed airport site.’

The developer is also required to conduct a ‘comprehensive geotechnical investigation to assess the site’s subsurface conditions, soil-bearing capacity, groundwater characteristics and overall suitability for the proposed aerodrome infrastructure.’

The ministry further stipulated the provision of a ‘suitable, reliable, all-weather road access to the proposed airport to support construction, airport operations, emergency response and passenger and cargo movement.’

Other conditions include strict compliance with all applicable Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) requirements and environmental laws, including conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as well as paying all applicable statutory fees.

The developer must also provide a detailed topographical and obstacle survey referenced to the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-84), alongside a formal wind rose analysis and meteorological assessment conducted in consultation with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

In response to the approval, Princewill assured the aviation authorities that Royal Fouche Services Limited would strictly adhere to due process.

He said: ‘We are making remarkable progress even by the best standards and I’m not at all surprised when you look at all of the people involved. From the President to the Minister to the NCAA all the way to the Amanyanabo of the Source, Amanyanabus of Ifoko, Fouchee and Elem Ifoko and the Royal Fouchee team we have assembled.

‘To us a day is 24 hours of opportunity for us to make a difference and we assure the Kalabari people that we will make them proud,’ he said.

Princewill further pledged that the pace of work would not come at the expense of regulatory compliance.

‘Speed however, will not be an excuse for circumventing process. We will carry every stakeholder along and make sure all reasonable voices are heard. The airport is just the tip of the iceberg. Our plans are far bigger than a single project.’