Smart Tech Cuts Truck Turnaround Time, Eases Congestion at Lagos Ports —TTP
Digital mobility solutions deployed by Trucks Transit Parks (TTP) have significantly reduced truck turnaround time and congestion at Nigeria’s busiest maritime gateways, the Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, strengthening port efficiency and trade competitiveness.
Jama Onwubuariri, co-founder and CEO of TTP, said the company’s Internet of Things–driven Eto Truck Call-Up System has transformed truck traffic management by introducing scheduling, predictability and transparency into port access operations.
According to Onwubuariri, Eto replaces the former manual, chaotic process with an electronic booking and scheduling platform that directs trucks to designated parks until terminals are ready to receive them. This has cut average truck waiting time from weeks to hours or a few days, while reducing haulage costs by about 70 per cent.
He noted that more than three million truck movements have been processed through the system since 2021, helping to curb gridlock, eliminate middlemen interference and significantly reduce extortion along port corridors. The reforms, he said, have also contributed to improved cargo evacuation, lower demurrage costs and increased export throughput at Lagos ports.
The TTP boss explained that the success of the call-up system rests on collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Lagos State Government, security agencies and terminal operators, supported by clearly defined traffic windows to balance port operations with urban mobility.
Beyond traffic control, Onwubuariri said Eto now serves as an economic infrastructure, providing real-time data for terminals and regulators to monitor efficiency, plan logistics and improve service delivery. Integration with export processing platforms has also streamlined inspections and supported faster cargo movement.
He added that sustained investment in digital mobility infrastructure is critical for Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area, noting that predictable port access and efficient logistics are key to attracting investment and positioning Nigeria as a regional trade hub.
