Secret Reporters
As scrutiny intensifies over the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) proposed spending plans, attention is increasingly shifting from headline budget figures to the procurement processes, consultancy contracts and multi-billion-naira infrastructure projects approved under the leadership of Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
Documents reviewed by SecretReporters indicate that several consultancy-related projects earmarked for the 2025 fiscal year attracted substantial allocations, prompting calls from governance advocates and procurement experts for greater transparency regarding project scope, procurement procedures and expected deliverables.
Among the allocations highlighted are ₦500 million proposed for consultancy services related to the construction of the NPA building at Lekki Port, ₦600 million for consultancy services connected to access development for leased lands at Snake Island and Onne Port, ₦800 million for planning and designing access roads to leased facilities, and another ₦800 million earmarked for fire coverage consultancy services.
The documents also raise questions over a proposed ₦1 billion allocation for upgrading the Authority’s Microsoft Exchange platform and corporate email infrastructure, with critics arguing that detailed justification and technical breakdowns should accompany expenditures of such magnitude.
Public procurement specialists caution that the size of a consultancy budget alone does not constitute evidence of financial impropriety. According to them, consultancy engagements in major infrastructure projects often cover engineering studies, environmental impact assessments, geotechnical investigations, architectural designs, project management services, legal advisory work and technical supervision.
They stress, however, that such expenditures should be supported by publicly accessible procurement records, competitive bidding documentation, contract award details and measurable performance benchmarks capable of independent verification.
The debate has also extended to some of the Authority’s largest proposed capital projects.
Among the projects attracting attention are allocations exceeding ₦115 billion for the dredging of the Lagos Channel and more than ₦119 billion for dredging activities within the Bonny Channel. Observers argue that projects of such scale warrant comprehensive public disclosure, given their financial implications and strategic importance to Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Industry stakeholders note that dredging remains one of the most expensive yet essential components of port operations. Maintaining navigable channels enables larger vessels to access Nigerian ports safely, reduces turnaround time for cargo movement and enhances the country’s competitiveness within the West African maritime corridor.
They also point out that dredging costs are influenced by multiple technical factors, including channel dimensions, sediment accumulation rates, equipment deployment requirements, environmental compliance obligations and long-term maintenance schedules, making meaningful cost assessment difficult without access to detailed engineering specifications and project documentation.
The NPA has consistently maintained that its procurement activities comply with applicable laws and established government oversight mechanisms. The Authority has rejected allegations of corruption linked to its budget proposals, insisting that its expenditures undergo scrutiny by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Bureau of Public Procurement where applicable and the National Assembly during the budget approval process.
According to the Authority, many of the projects under review are intended to modernise port infrastructure, improve navigational safety, enhance operational efficiency and boost government revenue through increased port competitiveness.
Nonetheless, transparency advocates argue that controversies surrounding public expenditure often persist because critical procurement and implementation documents are not readily available to the public.
They contend that publishing bid documents, contract awards, project timelines, variation orders, payment certificates, completion reports and independent audit findings would enable Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate infrastructure investments and projects that may warrant further investigation.
Until such records are placed in the public domain, governance experts say questions surrounding several high-value projects are likely to remain part of the broader public debate, even as the Nigerian Ports Authority continues to reject allegations of financial misconduct.