Dantsoho Commits to Enhancing Port Efficiency for Export Growth and Sustainability

• NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has urged continuous improvement in port efficiency to sustain Nigeria’s export growth
• The authority reviewed operational processes and reaffirmed alignment with President Tinubu’s priorities under the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry
• NPA’s Export Processing Terminals have contributed to a 19.59% rise in non-oil exports in H1 2025, alongside the maiden call of MV Ocean Dragon

Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has called on his team to maintain a renewed focus on improving port efficiency, which he described as the backbone of Nigeria’s recent export successes in 2025.

Speaking at the recently concluded NPA Management Retreat held in Onne, Rivers State, Dantsoho praised the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for its role in boosting export volumes through strategic collaboration.

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The retreat, themed “Repositioning the Nigerian Ports System for Sustainability,” focused on reviewing operational processes to improve service delivery.

He said:

"We are proud of the excellent work being undertaken by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council as evident in the increased export numbers passing through our platforms, but we cannot rest on our laurels, we must commit to a continuous improvement paradigm of Port operations and service delivery that places high premium on issues of sustainability".

He emphasised that eco-friendly practices, social responsibility, and long-term economic resilience are now key drivers of global progress.

As part of the programme, the NPA management team carried out a Business Process Re-engineering exercise to identify and address operational bottlenecks, aiming for a more customer-oriented approach.

In line with this, the NPA also signed a Performance Bond, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence and aligning with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as outlined by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

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Under the NEPC’s technical guidance, the NPA has established Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), a move that has contributed to a significant rise in non-oil exports.

In the first half of 2025, non-oil exports reached $3.225 billion, a 19.59% increase from the same period in 2024, with export volumes climbing to 4.04 million metric tonnes.

This progress coincides with the maiden call of MV Ocean Dragon, the first fully Nigerian-owned container vessel, at Onne Port in Rivers State.

Operating weekly from Onne via the Calabar channel, the vessel will connect ports in Nigeria, the Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, Egypt, and South Africa.

Dantsoho urges African nations to harness marine strengths

In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) called on African nations to convert their marine comparative advantages into economic growth.

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The association's president emphasised the importance of regional collaboration and data-driven decision-making in port management.

He also commended the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, noting that it has strengthened efforts to develop the sector.

Source: Legit.ng