JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
(NATURAL SCIENCE EDITION)
LIAONING GONGCHENG JISHU DAXUE XUEBAO (ZIRAN KEXUE BAN)
辽宁工程技术大学学报（自然科学版）
PERCEPTIONS OF LANDLORD PORT MODEL AND PORT PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA SEAPORTS
AJAYI Olusesan Oluyemi, ADENIYI, Sarafadeen Diran (Ph.D)
Abstract
This study evaluates stakeholder perceptions of the landlord port model and assesses port performance across Nigeria’s seaports. It investigates regulatory structures, transparency indicators, time-related performance measures, and stakeholder inclusion as critical dimensions for enhancing port governance and operational efficiency. A qualitative research design was adopted, using In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) to collect rich, descriptive data from a wide range of stakeholders. Participants were drawn from regulatory agencies, shipping firms, private terminal operators, importers, exporters, clearing agents, logistics providers, and trade associations operating within selected seaports. Purposeful sampling ensured that experienced informants provided detailed insights into the practical realities of port administration. The IDIs, guided by semi-structured open and close-ended questions, were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed manually through content analysis. This enabled the extraction of key themes and narratives reflecting the complex dynamics of port governance under the landlord model. Findings revealed systemic inefficiencies driven by outdated legal frameworks, centralised governance inertia, and politicised appointments, which have undermined the effectiveness of reforms. Despite the establishment of dual regulators, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), legal ambiguities and lack of institutional autonomy hinder optimal port performance. Participants acknowledged progress in infrastructure and digitalisation but cited persistent delays, poor inter-agency synergy, and inadequate transparency. The study concludes that beyond structural debates on centralisation versus decentralisation, there is a need for legal reform, depoliticised leadership, stakeholder trust, and technological innovation. Institutionalising transparent governance and fostering cooperation among key actors are essential for transforming Nigerian ports into globally competitive trade hubs.
Keywords: Port Governance, Legal Reform, Institutional Synergy, Operational Efficiency, Technological Innovation