Operational Logistics of Inland Dry Port in Nigeria: Dynamics, Is Sues and Prospects

Abstract Background: Ports have always had an important role in the development of national and international trade of countries, currently challenged by globalization, with implications for sustained economic development of their regions. Globalization, emerged from trade growth between continents, regions and countries. It has led to an expansion of global sea trade with huge impacts for ports. Objective: We narraitvely reviewed the operational logistics of inland dry ports using Kaduna dry port as a case study. Methods: The study was a narrative review of published studies. Results: Nigerian port system has been in dire need of reforms. The problems and complications of the 2001 congestion saw the port at an operational standstill and called for an urgent attentio Increasing competition between transport modes and growing capacity per unit of transport demand for higher performance level in ports, which largely depend on their characteristics, such as infrastructure, equipment, governance structure and integration in logistic networks. Thus, as inland logistics centers, dry ports are playing an increasingly pivotal role in the multi-modal transport network that sustains economic activity by delivering key inputs to local enterprises and facilitating their exports of raw materials, semi-manufactured products, and finished goods.