ABUJA — OCT 2026— The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has unveiled a fresh push to dismantle bottlenecks choking Nigeria’s non-oil exports and unlock more foreign exchange for the economy.
Managing Director/CEO of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the NPA Special Day at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair organised by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, themed “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy.”
Dantsoho said Nigeria can no longer anchor economic resilience on imports and oil revenues, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses into global value chains is critical to sustainable growth.
Dry Ports Now Under NPA — Exporters To Benefit
He said the Federal Government’s recent approval transferring management and development of Inland Dry Ports, IDPs, to NPA will bring port efficiency closer to hinterland businesses.
“By bringing Inland Dry Ports under the operational purview of NPA, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including right here in Abuja, no longer need to move raw commodities to coastal ports before undergoing port clearance and documentation,” Dantsoho said.
He said the move will particularly benefit exporters in the North and Central, reducing cost and time.
One-Stop Export Terminals
Dantsoho said NPA has operationalised dedicated Export Processing Terminals as one-stop centres where sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation are completed before cargo moves to port terminals.
The interventions, he said, are already boosting non-oil exports, especially cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, hibiscus and solid minerals, which have seen increased export activity in the last two years.
Streamlined channels, he added, will boost foreign buyers’ confidence and increase forex inflows.
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade,” he urged, assuring that NPA remains committed to extending efficient maritime logistics to all regions.
ACCI Seeks Deeper Partnership
Also speaking, ACCI Director-General, Agabaidu Jideani, called for stronger collaboration with NPA to facilitate trade and unlock investment.
“The efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports have direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and numerous other businesses,” Jideani said.
He said ACCI provides a platform for businesses to share practical experiences with NPA, while NPA can enlighten the business community on operations and opportunities.
“We commend NPA for participating in this year’s fair not merely as exhibition but as platform for dialogue and partnership,” he said.
He said ACCI is ready to deepen engagement through policy dialogues, business forums, sensitisation and capacity-building to improve ease of doing business, strengthen supply chains and enhance Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade.
