General
The Challenges Of Dredging In Nigeria And Specifically In Africa
Introduction
Dredging plays a vital role in shaping economic and environmental outcomes across many African nations. In Nigeria, a country defined by its vast waterways, complex delta systems, and dense coastal regions, dredging has become more than a necessity—it’s a core infrastructure activity. However, despite its importance, dredging in Nigeria faces several challenges that are deeply rooted in geographical, regulatory, and economic complexities.
A Growing Need for Dredging
Nigeria’s rivers and coastline have long served as important transportation and economic corridors. However, with increased siltation, encroaching sandbars, and sediment build-up, vital routes have become less navigable. As a result, dredging is frequently required for river dredging operations, port access, and flood management. Additionally, the continuous need for coastal erosion control is pushing both public and private stakeholders to invest in long-term dredging strategies.
Unfortunately, the regional challenges across Africa make consistent progress difficult.
Environmental and Regulatory Hurdles
One of the primary issues facing dredging in Nigeria is regulatory inconsistency. Multiple layers of local, state, and federal governance often result in conflicting permits, unclear environmental impact standards, and delayed approvals. These delays are especially critical when dealing with waterway infrastructure development, which requires timely intervention to prevent disruptions in transportation and trade.
Furthermore, environmental concerns—such as disturbance to aquatic ecosystems, resettlement of nearby communities, and improper disposal of dredged materials—must be addressed with sensitive planning and oversight. Without clear environmental frameworks, these concerns can result in halted projects or long-term ecological damage.
Infrastructure and Equipment Gaps
Dredging projects in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, are often hindered by a lack of modern equipment and trained personnel. Many small operators rely on outdated or makeshift dredging machines that are inefficient and prone to breakdowns. This gap is particularly evident in more remote or underfunded regions where access to quality dredging tools and support is limited.
Dredge Flow continues to advocate for partnerships that bring in more sustainable equipment and technical expertise into local markets. The goal is not only to improve project efficiency but also to increase safety and long-term results.
Socio-Economic Factors
The intersection of dredging with socio-economic development cannot be overlooked. On the one hand, dredging stimulates job creation and enables trade by maintaining waterways. On the other hand, unregulated dredging practices can lead to land disputes, environmental degradation, and the displacement of communities. Balancing these outcomes is one of the more delicate challenges in regions already affected by limited infrastructure and governance gaps.
Moreover, due to Nigeria’s urban expansion and land reclamation initiatives, the demand for dredged sand has skyrocketed. This creates incentives for illegal dredging, which further complicates oversight and disrupts river dredging operations intended for legitimate infrastructure development.
Regional Differences in Africa
While dredging in Nigeria faces its localized challenges, other African nations also struggle with similar yet context-specific issues. In East Africa, for example, fluctuating lake levels and sedimentation affect inland port operations. In West Africa, rising sea levels have accelerated the need for coastal erosion control, particularly in countries like Ghana and Sierra Leone.
These shared challenges highlight the need for collaborative efforts, shared technologies, and investment in capacity building across the continent.
The Way Forward
Despite these obstacles, opportunities for improvement remain. By investing in modern dredging technology and skilled labor, Nigeria and its neighbors can better tackle both routine and emergency projects. Creating unified regulatory frameworks and enforcing strict environmental standards will help ensure that waterway infrastructure development is sustainable and community-friendly.
Additionally, incorporating local expertise and involving affected communities in decision-making processes can lead to better project outcomes and reduced conflict. Through these efforts, dredging can serve as a foundation for environmental resilience, economic growth, and regional cooperation.
Conclusion
To overcome these regional challenges, Dredge Flow offers tailored dredging operations and solutions designed for the unique conditions of Nigeria and broader African waterways. By combining durable dredging equipment with on-ground expertise, we help streamline river dredging operations, improve coastal erosion control, and support sustainable waterway infrastructure development. Our goal is to provide cost-effective, long-term dredging strategies that enable governments and private sectors to maintain safe, navigable, and environmentally stable water bodies across the continent.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 7 to hear the bail application of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, over alleged money laundering.
Recall that the same court had ordered the remand of Mr Malami at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, his son, Abdulaziz, and one of his wives, Mrs Bashir Asabe, are standing trial predicated on a 16-count charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trio, who are accused of laundering N8.7 billion, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned on December 29, 2025.
Following their plea of not guilty, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre till January 2, 2026, when their written bail application would be argued by his legal team.
In the charge, identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the defendants were accused of conspiring to conceal, disguise, and retain proceeds from illegal activities.
The indictment claimed that they used multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions over nearly ten years to indirectly acquire the illicit funds.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences took place between 2015 and 2025, primarily within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during Malami’s time as the country’s Attorney-General.
The EFCC alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide N1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account from July 2022 to June 2025.
They were also accused of depositing an additional N600.01 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
The properties in question include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased for N500 million; a property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, bought for N700 million; and another in Jabi District for N850 million.
Additional acquisitions include real estate on Rhine Street, Maitama (N430 million); in Asokoro District (N210 million and N325 million); and at Efab Estate, Gwarimpa (N120 million).
The EFCC further alleges that Mr Malami used unlawful proceeds totaling N952 million to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023.
The acquisitions were allegedly made through proxies and corporate entities to obscure ownership.
The commission claimed that the alleged actions violate the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of tax deduction and non-remittance fraud linked to the NLNG Train 7 project.
Train 7 is a major expansion project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. It involves building a seventh “train” (processing unit) at the LNG plant to significantly increase Nigeria’s LNG production capacity and strengthen the country’s role as a global supplier of cleaner energy.
NAPO’s President General, Mr Harold Benstowe, alongside four other officials, appeared at the EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office in Port Harcourt, to adopt a petition accusing Daewoo Engineering & Construction Nigeria and others of alleged unlawful tax deductions from workers on the multibillion-dollar NLNG Train 7 gas plant construction project.
According to NAPO, the EFCC received the delegation and guided them through the formal adoption of the petition, paving the way for what the union described as a “proper forensic investigation” into the alleged financial misconduct.
“The EFCC has assured the victims that it will conduct a thorough investigation to get to the root of the matter,” Mr Benstowe said, describing the development as a major step toward accountability in the construction segment of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It also raised that the allegations strike at the heart of compliance risks surrounding one of Nigeria’s most strategic gas investments, with potential implications for contractors, regulators and investor confidence in large-scale energy projects.
Mr Benstowe called on workers involved in the NLNG Train 7 project to actively support the investigation by submitting documentary evidence, particularly payslips allegedly showing tax deductions by Daewoo E&C Nigeria.
“We encourage all affected workers to freely come forward with more evidence to assist the EFCC in carrying out a comprehensive investigation,” he said.
He also dismissed reports of intimidation, warning that the union would resist any attempts to suppress whistleblowers.
“All victims should ignore threats or discouragement from any quarters. This is no longer business as usual. We are prepared for a big showdown to ensure everyone involved is brought to book,” Mr Benstowe declared.
The NAPO leader framed the petition as part of a broader struggle for financial transparency and workers’ rights in Nigeria’s oil and gas construction value chain, stressing that the outcome would send a strong signal to contractors operating on high-value energy projects.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has unveiled its institutional brand identity as it officially transition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the newly established revenue collection agency as gazetted.
The transition was marked with the unveiling of the agency’s new logo, according to a statement from Mr Dare Adekanmbi, special adviser to the chairman of NRS, Mr Zacch Adedeji.
Speaking at the unveiling event in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Adedeji said the new identity represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.
The taxman said the unveiling reflects a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices.
He said the new identity signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.
According to the statement, the NRS said it remains committed to transparency, partnership, and service excellence.
“The unveiling of this new identity represents not an end, but the beginning of a strengthened relationship between the revenue authority and the Nigerian public—built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity,” the statement reads.
It was also stated that the service came into operation following the signing of its enabling law — the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 — by President Bola Tinubu in June.
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