Port Reforms Network Commends Dantsoho for Boosting Trade, Modernising Nigeria’s Seaports

The Port Reforms Advocacy Network (PRAN) has commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, for his visionary leadership which it said has positioned Nigeria’s seaports as engines of economic growth and global competitiveness.

The group, in a statement on Friday signed by its president, Prince Chijioke Adimora, praised Dantsoho’s commitment to modernising the nation’s port infrastructure and digitising operations, a move it described as a “game-changer” for trade facilitation and non-oil export growth.

Adimora said the figures presented by Dantsoho at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly were a testament to the impact of reforms currently underway in Nigeria’s port system.

According to the NPA helmsman, seaports’ efficiency contributed to a 19.6 per cent growth in non-oil exports in the first half of 2025, demonstrating the centrality of maritime gateways in boosting Nigeria’s economy.

“This achievement underlines the importance of having competent leadership in sensitive institutions like the Nigerian Ports Authority. What Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has done in less than two years in office is nothing short of remarkable. He has not only reformed operational procedures but has also restored investor confidence in our seaports,” Adimora said.

The PRAN president added that the NPA’s ongoing investment in smart digitalisation reflects a bold step into the future, where paperless transactions, e-tag verification, and electronic call-up systems will replace outdated, cumbersome processes that once slowed down trade.

He noted that the introduction of new electronic barrier systems across Lagos Port Complex terminals is already improving traffic flow and access control, while the expansion of electronic platforms is reducing cargo dwell time and boosting efficiency.

“Through Dantsoho’s leadership, we are seeing a genuine transition towards leaner, greener and more efficient operations. The reduction of waste and emissions, coupled with improved intermodal connectivity, means Nigeria is gradually building a sustainable maritime sector capable of competing on the global stage,” Adimora said.

PRAN further commended the NPA’s plan to launch a Port Community System by the first quarter of 2026, describing it as a critical milestone that will deepen collaboration among stakeholders, integrate data and transactions, and open new opportunities for trade.

Adimora noted that sustainability had become a guiding principle for modern port systems, and expressed satisfaction that the NPA under Dantsoho is championing initiatives such as shore-to-ship emission reduction at Lekki Port.

“This forward-thinking approach not only protects the environment but also ensures Nigeria remains aligned with international best practices in maritime operations,” he said.

The group also lauded the commissioning of state-of-the-art tugboats and marine crafts to support operations at the Lekki Deep Seaport, the Dangote Refinery, and the Dangote Fertiliser Plant.

According to PRAN, this demonstrates the NPA’s readiness to service mega facilities that are central to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“Dantsoho’s focus on long-term viability, efficiency, and competitiveness ensures that our ports will remain the pride of West Africa. The commissioning of new marine crafts at Lekki Deep Seaport, combined with the capacity to handle super post-panamax vessels, is positioning Nigeria as a hub for regional and international trade,” Adimora said.

He urged stakeholders in the maritime and trade sectors to rally behind the reforms spearheaded by Dantsoho, stressing that the gains in non-oil exports must be consolidated to reduce Nigeria’s over-dependence on crude oil revenue.

“Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has shown the right mix of vision, competence, and dedication in steering the NPA. The results are clear: improved trade facilitation, renewed investor confidence, and growth in non-oil exports. For us at PRAN, this is the pathway to real economic diversification, and we commend him for delivering tangible results,” Adimora concluded.

With his ambitious modernisation drive and emphasis on sustainability, Dantsoho’s leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority is being increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s renewed push towards global competitiveness and economic resilience.