By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, has credited sweeping federal government reforms and the leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for the ongoing transformation in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Speaking at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja, Dantsoho said the country is steadily repositioning itself to take a dominant role in Africa’s blue economy, driven by policy reforms and growing private sector participation.
He assured investors that Nigeria’s port ecosystem is being strengthened to unlock new opportunities and support economic expansion, noting that the sector holds immense potential if properly harnessed.
According to him, the country must realign its economic focus to maximise its marine resources in line with global sustainability targets. He stressed that an efficient port system remains central to achieving this objective and can serve as a catalyst for national growth.
Dantsoho pointed out that Nigeria’s geographic advantage, population size and economic strength provide a solid foundation for it to emerge as a maritime hub in West Africa, comparable to leading global port economies.
Despite these advantages, he expressed concern that Nigeria currently accounts for only a fraction of cargo throughput in the region, handling about a quarter of maritime traffic while contributing a significantly larger share to West Africa’s GDP. He described this imbalance as a clear indication of underutilised capacity.
He, however, noted that the narrative is beginning to change, with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy rolling out comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning the sector.
Key initiatives highlighted include port modernisation projects, the introduction of a Trade Single Window, deployment of a Port Community System, development of deep seaports and the digitalisation of port operations to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Dantsoho emphasised that collaboration with the private sector remains critical, particularly through project financing arrangements that are already helping to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve service delivery.
He explained that the reform agenda is targeted at boosting port efficiency, strengthening connectivity, lowering freight costs and expanding Nigeria’s non-oil export capacity, all of which are expected to drive increased revenue.
The NPA boss added that sustaining competitiveness in the global maritime space would require continuous adaptation, efficient port operations and improved links between ports and inland markets.
He expressed confidence that with consistent implementation of these reforms, Nigeria’s port system will evolve into a major maritime logistics hub on the continent.
In his remarks, Oyetola underscored Nigeria’s natural advantages, including its extensive coastline and inland waterways, describing them as strategic assets for blue economy development. He added that ongoing reforms have enhanced coordination within the sector, improved maritime security and strengthened investor confidence.
The minister noted that maritime activities account for the vast majority of Nigeria’s international trade by volume, reinforcing the sector’s critical role in the nation’s economic framework
