The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has witnessed a remarkable turnaround in less than a year, marked by sweeping reforms, massive infrastructure upgrades, trade surplus achievements, and a rise in Nigeria’s maritime reputation across Africa and beyond.
Backed by the policy alignment and unwavering support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the NPA Chief Executive has combined institutional experience with bold vision, charting a new trajectory for Nigeria’s foremost trade gateway. From the finalization of billion-dollar port rehabilitation to driving global trade standards through digital transformation, Dantsoho’s tenure is setting new benchmarks in port administration.
$1 billion port rehabilitation takes-off
One of the most defining achievements of the Dantsoho-led NPA is the commencement of a $1 billion reconstruction of the aging Tin Can Island Port Complex and the rehabilitation of other critical port infrastructure in Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri, and Calabar. The aim is to restore the integrity of these ports and bring them in line with modern global maritime standards.
These developments come after years of clamour from stakeholders over the dilapidated state of Nigerian port infrastructure, which had significantly impaired efficiency and competitiveness.
Expansion into new port territories
Beyond fixing the old, the NPA has accelerated efforts to expand Nigeria’s port capacity through the development of new ports. Agreements have been finalized for the construction of the Snake Island Port on an 85-hectare site, a $1 billion Greenfield project poised to transform the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone. Similarly, projects such as the Badagry Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaport, and the Burutu Port are progressing under the NPA’s technical guidance.
Push for digital ports and global standards
In line with global best practices, the NPA has concluded Nigeria’s membership of the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), a critical prerequisite for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW). The NSW system will streamline the electronic exchange of port and trade data and is expected to significantly reduce turnaround times and cost of doing business.
The e-call-up system for trucks, once plagued by corruption and inefficiency, has also seen significant improvements with the introduction of satellite truck parks and time belts. These have eased congestion at port access roads and improved cargo evacuation logistics.
Exports boom and foreign trade surplus
In an economic boost attributed largely to port efficiency and improved trade facilitation, Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of ₦5.81 trillion ($3.7 billion) in Q3 2024, as reported by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). The majority of this trade activity was transacted via the Nigerian Ports Authority’s platforms.
The NPA’s role in implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s crude and petroleum product sale strategy in Naira has also helped conserve foreign exchange, deepen trade balance, and create thousands of jobs.
Additionally, through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modalities, the NPA is unlocking new revenue streams via independent power production, bunkering stations, ship repair zones, and logistics services on fallow lands.
Nigeria leads regional maritime bodies
In a diplomatic win for the country, Dr. Dantsoho was elected President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) – the first Nigerian to attain the position since the organization’s formation in 1972. He also leads the Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC).
These appointments are not merely ceremonial. They provide the political leverage Nigeria needs to push its re-election bid into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a goal seen as critical for restoring the country’s global maritime influence.
Boosting eastern port activities
Dantsoho’s tenure has also seen renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s Eastern ports. Following an aggressive investment drive, the NPA secured commitments for port revitalization in Calabar, Rivers, and Burutu. This culminated in the recent launch of Hapag-Lloyd’s weekly shipping service at WACT-APM Terminals in Onne Port—establishing direct international cargo links for businesses in Eastern Nigeria.
At the launch, APM Terminals’ CEO Frederik Klinke described the event as a milestone in unlocking the trade potential of the East. Himmat Ahlawat, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Nigeria, described Nigeria as “one of the most important markets” and reiterated a commitment to world-class customer service through digital innovation.
2024 Performance Report: Surging Cargo, Ship Traffic and Efficiency
The NPA’s 2024 Consolidated Management Report revealed a stellar year for Nigeria’s ports:
- Cargo throughput jumped 45.1%, from 71.2 million metric tons in 2023 to 103.3 million metric tons in 2024.
- Lekki Port recorded a stunning 2,160.8% increase in cargo volume, followed by Onne Port (9.4%) and Tin Can Island Port (7.3%).
- Ship calls rose by 5.6%, from 3,791 to 4,005, with a corresponding 15.4% rise in Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT).
- Container throughput increased by 9.7%, reaching 1.74 million TEUs, with export-laden containers growing by 53.7%.
- Service boat operations saw a 49.6% surge, with 13,396 boats handled compared to 8,956 in 2023. GRT for service boats leapt by 129.3%.
These figures reflect not just volume but a consistent shift towards efficiency and better service delivery.
As Dantsoho completes his first year in office, industry analysts and stakeholders agree that the Nigeria Ports Authority is undergoing a renaissance. With strategic port investments, digitization, trade expansion, and regional maritime leadership, Dantsoho’s administration is not only reshaping the ports but anchoring them as pillars of Nigeria’s economic resurgence.
While challenges remain—especially around full implementation of the Port Community System and aging port access infrastructure—NPA under Dantsoho has undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for what could be a new golden era for Nigerian maritime operations.
