Storm at Ports: NPA Rocked by $25m, N160m Scandals
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has come under intense scrutiny following allegations detailing a deep-rooted culture of corruption, operational inefficiency, and political interference within the agency.
According to insider revelations obtained by Economic Confidential, senior officials at the NPA are allegedly benefiting from a ₦160 million monthly “tribute system” – a form of monetised extortion that includes inflated contracts and bribery facilitated by top-tier leadership. These practices, sources claim, have become entrenched and routine, bleeding the agency and driving up operational costs for stakeholders.
Economic Confidential reports that Nigeria’s ports—once a potential hub of trade efficiency—have become a logistical nightmare. Cargo dwell times reportedly exceed 45 days, while the cost of hauling containers has skyrocketed from ₦250,000 to a staggering ₦900,000. These developments have placed Nigerian ports among the most expensive in the West African sub-region, creating a competitive disadvantage and frustrating importers and exporters.
According to the sources, the agency is also enmeshed in all manners of appointment and selection scandals. Key officials allegedly maintain their positions without any qualifications due to their connections to a minister and a top aide of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This, sources claim, has stalled investigations and created a climate of impunity, with supervisory ministries turning a blind eye to mounting concerns.
One of the sources who pleaded anonymity also alleged a collapse in internal governance. The Executive Director of Finance is said to be operating as the de facto Managing Director, sidelining due process and withholding over 1,000 official files. This concentration of power has reportedly led to unilateral decision-making and a breakdown in checks and balances within the NPA hierarchy.
Another source alleged that a $25 million dredging contract for Warri Port was awarded without the constitutionally required approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), in what appears to be a brazen violation of Nigeria’s procurement laws.
Efforts by Economic Confidential to obtain a response from NPA’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, were unsuccessful. Despite alerting him to the specific allegations, he did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
