Assessing the Impact of Blockchain Technology on Service Delivery in Nigeria Maritime Industry

Abstract

The Nigerian maritime industry, primarily anchored by the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa and Tin Can Island) and the Onne Port, serves as a critical economic engine for West Africa. However, the sector has historically been undermined by systemic inefficiencies, including prolonged container dwell times, manually intensive documentation processes, high rates of rent-seeking, and pervasive trade fraud. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the impact of Blockchain Technology (BCT) on service delivery metrics within the Nigerian maritime ecosystem. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design, we analyze quantitative survey data from 380 maritime stakeholders (including customs brokers, freight forwarders, port authorities, and liner representatives) paired with qualitative insights from 24 elite semi-structured interviews. The analytical model tests the relationship between blockchain core dimensions (immutability, decentralized validation, and smart contract automation) and operational service delivery key performance indicators (KPIs) specifically, Documentation Processing Speed T, Clearing Cost efficiency C, and Transaction Integrity I. The quantitative baseline establishes that blockchain-enabled smart bills of lading and cryptographic shipment tracking share a robust, statistically significant positive relationship with service delivery velocity and transparency. Qualitative findings reveals major socio-technical and institutional frictions, notably a widespread digital skills deficit, resistance from corrupt cartels, regulatory ambiguities in the legal status of decentralized ledgers under the Nigerian Evidence Act, and broader infrastructural challenges. The paper concludes with an actionable, phased policy framework for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to guide the digital transformation of the sector.