The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) are strengthening collaboration to drive growth in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy, with a focus on expanding export operations that could generate up to $7 million in daily revenue through fertilizer exports.
During a courtesy visit to the NPA headquarters in Lagos on Monday, President of DIL, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining a strong partnership with the NPA, noting that Dangote Group remains the authority’s largest customer.
“We are the biggest customer of the NPA, and it’s important to maintain this kind of engagement for the growth of the industry. We discussed key issues on expanding the Marine and Blue Economy, and we’ve agreed to work together in Nigeria’s best interest,” Dangote stated.
He disclosed that the company’s massive operations at Lekki will involve nearly 240 crude oil shipments annually, each carrying one million barrels, along with over 600 additional product vessels. Fertilizer exports alone, he said, will involve nearly eight cargoes—a scale he described as unprecedented in the country.
“Our operations would be at risk if the NPA doesn’t deliver the required services. The Authority will need substantial support from the Federal Government to meet growing demands. They need more equipment, including tugboats, and we will advocate to ensure they receive the necessary assistance,” he said.
Highlighting Dangote Group’s export ambitions, Dangote said the company is expanding its export base beyond cement, with plans to commence coal exports soon. The refinery is expected to export over 25 million tons of various petroleum products annually, in addition to 600,000 to 700,000 metric tons of polypropylene.
“In the next two years, our fertilizer export alone will hit about 16,000 tons per day, bringing in between $6.5 million and $7 million in daily revenue. With this scale of operation, we will become Nigeria’s leading source of foreign exchange earnings. This will inevitably double the throughput at Nigerian ports,” he added.
In his remarks, Managing Director of NPA Abubakar Dantsoho, said Dangote’s visit was to commend the Authority on the successful implementation of the “Naira for Crude” initiative, coordinated by the NPA.
He noted that since the introduction of the policy in October 2024, over 57 vessels have been processed monthly—exceeding Dangote Group’s earlier annual projection of 600 vessels.
“If all government agencies can collaborate on a unified platform, the efficiency gains we’re seeing in the maritime sector will be replicated across other sectors. The approval of the National Single Window and our 95% readiness on the Port Community System are major milestones,” Dantsoho stated.
On port expansion plans, Dantsoho explained that the NPA is pursuing both brownfield and Greenfield projects to boost capacity. While modernization work is set to begin on the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports later this year, the Federal Government has also approved the development of several new deep seaports, including Ibom, Bakassi, Olokola, Ondo, and Badagry.
“The last time Nigeria built a new port was in 1977 with the Tin Can Island Port. Now, with these approvals, we’re poised to transform the nation’s port infrastructure,” he said.
