Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), stated that Federal Government policies and reforms have increased Nigeria’s exports by 25 per cent over the past two years.
He made this statement on Tuesday at the Annual World Ports Conference organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) in London.
Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, NPA General Manager, Corporate Communication and Strategy, confirmed this in a statement to reporters in Lagos.
Dantsoho noted that Nigeria’s large population provides significant economic advantages, and recent reforms have increased cargo throughput and export volumes.
He added that this growth includes oil and gas, manufactured goods, agricultural products such as cocoa and cashew, and raw materials.
He attributed this development to improved collaboration between the NPA and major terminal operators, including APM Terminals, which has enhanced operational efficiency, export volumes, and port competitiveness.
He said the NPA has established about four Export Processing Terminals to streamline export operations.
He explained that these terminals work with terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other agencies to ensure export cargo is processed locally before shipment. According to him, this arrangement ensures Nigerian export products meet international standards and reduces challenges with quality compliance in destination markets.s.Dantsoho stated that recent reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration have better positioned Nigeria to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that these reforms have strengthened the economy, attracted investors, and created opportunities for increased trade and cooperation among African countries.s.
He cited Nigeria’s expanding trade relations with Morocco, particularly in the manufacturing sector, noting that the North African country had emerged as a hub for electric and smaller vehicle production.
Dantsoho also credited the reforms for Nigeria’s improved global port ranking, with two Nigerian ports now among the top 20 in the latest World Bank ranking.
He described this achievement as the result of improved efficiency, technology adoption, and effective collaboration with industry stakeholders. The NPA managing director further disclosed that revenue generated from ports across the country had quadrupled, driven by increased cargo volumes and partnerships with international investors and terminal operators.
He stated that Nigerian ports have achieved significant efficiency improvements compared to other West African ports.
Dantsoho, also President of the Association of Ports in West and Central Africa, acknowledged improvements in port operations in countries like Tanzania and Kenya. However, African countries need to strengthen collaboration and sustain ongoing reforms to enhance the continent’s competitiveness.
He said the government is investing one billion dollars to expand and modernise Apapa Port in Lagos to support future growth and improve competitiveness.
“Expansion and modernisati“Expansion and modernization require collaboration with the private sector. Terminals and other major players with the required capital, alongside technology partners from Singapore and elsewhere,” he said.
Dantsoho also stated that the NPA will develop a Single Window system in 2025 in partnership with a Singaporean firm.
He added thaHe added that the authority is collaborating with a company in Abu Dhabi to develop a Port Community System to strengthen business-to-business relationships and improve port operations.
