The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has been honoured with the “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025” by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos last weekend.
The Managing Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate and Startegic Commujications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, described the award as recognition of his vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives that align with the NPA’s vision to become the Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa.
Mr. Onyemekara highlighted the invaluable support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, which has been instrumental in achieving these remarkable successes.
According to him, key highlights include:
– Sustained port efficiencies contributing to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 2025 (per NBS and NESG reports), driven mainly by exports via NPA platforms.
– Successful execution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy for crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, saving billions in FOREX, enhancing energy security, improving trade balance, and creating jobs.
– Completion of Nigeria’s membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), paving the way for the National Single Window (NSW) project.
– Technical guidance enabling a significant rise in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, serving landlocked neighbours and recovering cargo lost to competing ports.
– Pioneering election of a Nigerian agency as President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) since 1972, with Dr. Dantsoho also leading PAPC, boosting Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and securing re-admission of Nigeria into the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Category C council.
Champions Newspaper conferred the award in appreciation of NPA’s pivotal role as a leading trade facilitation platform driving national economic prosperity through Nigeria’s maritime endowments.
