TTP Charts Course for West African Expansion as Ètò Breaks 3.2m Truck Trips
Kathy Kyari
Trucks Transit Parks Limited (TTP) has announced that its Ètò electronic call-up system has successfully scheduled over 3.2 million truck movements in and out of Nigerian ports within 54 months, marking a milestone the company says demonstrates the transformative power of technology in port access and logistics management.
The Managing Director of TTP, Mr. Jama Onwubuariri, disclosed this during a media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday. He described the achievement as proof of the impact of technology-driven reforms in port access management introduced in 2021.
Onwubuariri recalled the situation before Ètò’s launch, when the Apapa and Tin Can port access roads were synonymous with gridlock that disrupted businesses, delayed cargo evacuation, and inflated logistics costs.
“About 2,000 trucks pass through Lagos ports daily to move import and export cargo,” he said. “But inefficiency and congestion made the process difficult for years. The perennial traffic problem also encouraged racketeering, exposed truck owners to middlemen, and increased consumer prices of goods.”
He explained that the adoption of digital scheduling had reduced human interference, eliminated arbitrary practices, and improved turnaround time for trucks and cargo.
“TTP introduced the Ètò call-up system to combine innovative technology, infrastructure, and collaboration with stakeholders in addressing the gridlock around the ports,” he said.
Since inception, Ètò has drastically cut congestion, improved compliance with minimum safety standards for trucks, and introduced smarter payment channels for bookings. According to Onwubuariri, the system has restored orderliness to the port environment, making access predictable and transparent.
“Port roads, once infamous for unending gridlock, are now more orderly and predictable. Access to the ports is no longer based on who you know or how rugged your boys are, but on a pre-set, transparent, technology-enabled process,” he noted.
He credited partnerships with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators, unions, and security agencies as critical to sustaining the gains, while continuous platform upgrades have helped close loopholes and improve user experience.
“This is not just about technology; it is about restoring confidence in the possibility that our ports can be efficient and compete favourably with others in the region,” the TTP chief stated.
Looking ahead, Onwubuariri revealed that TTP was working to expand its model across the ECOWAS subregion, where trucking inefficiencies and border bottlenecks continue to frustrate trade.
“Nigeria is not just the giant, but also the heartbeat of Africa. We have a local proverb: ‘Use your place to know my place.’ A global iteration of this proverb, as it applies to Africa, is that when Nigeria coughs, Africa catches a cold. If you want to check if something is in Africa, just come to Nigeria,” he said.
Sharing insights from a recent tour of West African trade routes spanning Lagos, Ouagadougou, Abidjan, and Monrovia, he highlighted challenges such as heavy reliance on trucking, delays at borders, and highway toll bottlenecks.
“The traffic management platform TTP has built in Nigeria is not just a national solution. Ètò is a model that would be scaled regionally. Imagine if every ECOWAS country operated a harmonised port truck scheduling, rest stop, and electronic tolling system that supports the multiple currencies used in the region—how much faster goods would move, how much cheaper trade would become, and how much closer we would be to realising the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Onwubuariri said.
He outlined TTP’s roadmap for the future, anchored on three pillars:
Deepening efficiency at Nigerian ports through continuous upgrades, smarter data use, and stronger enforcement collaboration.
Expanding its technology footprint with e-tags, RFID, and AI-driven compliance systems for traffic control and safety.
Driving regional integration by partnering with West African governments to harmonise logistics for AfCFTA.
“This roadmap is ambitious, but it is necessary if Nigeria is to remain competitive and if West Africa is to unlock its full trade potential. We will achieve it!” he declared.
Onwubuariri commended the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the media for their support.
“Our gathering today is not only to appreciate your support so far, but also to share the progress made, to discuss pressing challenges in our sector, and to seek your continued partnership in telling the story of transformation,” he said.
“The issues at stake are not abstract, they affect the cost of food on our tables, the competitiveness of our local businesses, and indeed the general welfare of the common man on the street.”
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