Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has called for renewed efforts to improve port efficiencies to sustain Nigeria’s strong export performance in 2025.
Speaking at the NPA Management Retreat in Onne, Rivers State, themed “Repositioning the Nigerian Ports System for Sustainability,” Dantsoho emphasized the need for continuous operational improvements to support the country’s export growth while prioritizing eco-friendly practices and long-term economic viability.
“We are proud of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council’s work, reflected in increased export numbers through our platforms, but we must not rest,” Dantsoho stated.
“Sustainability—through minimizing environmental impact, promoting social responsibility, and ensuring economic viability—is critical to global progress, and we owe it to future generations.”
The retreat focused on optimizing port operations through a Business Process Re-engineering initiative to address inefficiencies and enhance customer-centric service delivery.
The NPA also signed a Performance Bond, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priorities, as directed by the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to ensure operational excellence.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), a key partner in establishing NPA’s Export Processing Terminals, reported a 19.59% surge in non-oil exports, reaching $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025, with export volumes rising to 4.04 million metric tonnes.
This milestone coincides with the historic arrival of Nigeria’s first wholly-owned container vessel, MV Ocean Dragon, at Onne’s Eastern Port. The vessel will operate weekly, servicing ports across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Egypt, and South Africa, boosting regional trade.
