Nigeria loses maritime revenue in spite economic size – Alabi
Lagos, Oct. 1, 2026, The Chairman Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs Boma Alabi SAN, has said that Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and biggest trading nation, has continued to record limited participation in international shipping.
Alabi made the disclosure in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.
She said that the decline of indigenous shipping remained one of greatest setbacks to maritime sector following collapse of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and loss of international routes.
Boma said that lack of shipbuilding capacity worsened challenge, noting that Nigerdock, formerly Niger Dock, once largest maritime industrial facility in West Africa, exemplified national ambition.
“Established by Federal Government in 1986, facility was created to provide shipbuilding, ship repair and marine engineering services to support Nigeria’s ambition to become maritime powerhouse.
“For years, Niger Dock served as major employer and training centre for skilled Nigerians in shipbuilding, welding, fabrication and marine engineering, supporting offshore oil and gas operations,” she said.
The Chairman SAN said that dream gradually faded due to poor management, inadequate investment, weak maintenance culture, collapse of indigenous shipping and competition from foreign shipyards.
She said that major turning point came with privatisation in 2001 and acquisition by Jagal Group in 2003, marking strategic transformation from traditional shipbuilding to logistics and port operations.
According to her, today, Nigerdock operates from Snake Island Integrated Free Zone in Lagos as integrated maritime and logistics hub providing ship-repair, terminal management, logistics solutions and port development services.
She said that while transformation demonstrates resilience and adaptation, it highlights broader national challenge as Nigeria loses substantial revenue from freight services, vessel ownership and shipbuilding contracts.
Boma said that vibrant shipping and shipbuilding industry would create thousands of jobs, stimulate industrialisation, strengthen manufacturing and enhance Nigeria’s position within growing blue economy.
