Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho says Nigeria’s exports have increased by more than 25 per cent in the past two years, driven by Federal Government reforms and improved collaboration between the NPA and port operators.
Dantsoho disclosed this while speaking at the ongoing World Ports Conference in London, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours, IAPH.
He said the export growth extended beyond oil and gas to manufacturing and agriculture, including commodities such as cocoa and cashew, attributing the gains to government policies and partnerships with major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals.
According to him, the NPA has established Export Processing Terminals to strengthen the country’s capacity to sustain export growth and improve compliance with international standards.
“We have got about four of those in Nigeria where we collaborate with the terminal operators, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other agencies that have a stake,” he said.
Dantsoho explained that the facilities enable export cargo processing to be completed locally before shipment, reducing potential problems relating to standards and documentation.
He said the reforms had also positioned Nigeria to take greater advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), allowing the country to expand trade with other African economies.
The NPA chief cited Nigeria’s engagement with Morocco, particularly in manufacturing, as an example of opportunities for stronger intra-African trade and cooperation.
He also attributed Nigeria’s improved position in global port rankings to increased efficiency, technology adoption and collaboration, noting that two Nigerian ports featured among the top 20 in the latest World Bank ranking.
Dantsoho said port revenues across the country had quadrupled following improvements in cargo volumes and operational efficiency.
He added that Nigeria’s ports were performing better than those of other West African countries, citing his role as president of the Association of Ports in West and Central Africa and access to regional performance data.
The NPA managing director said the Federal Government was also planning medium- and long-term investments, including a $1 billion project to expand and modernise Apapa ports.
He said the authority was working with private sector partners, including APM Terminals, to mobilise the investment required for infrastructure development.
Dantsoho further disclosed that the NPA had developed a single-window system in partnership with a Singaporean firm and was working with a company from Abu Dhabi on a port community system to improve port operations and coordination.
He said the authority would continue strengthening partnerships, technology adoption and infrastructure investment to sustain export growth and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.