The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is working to remove the bottlenecks holding back Nigeria’s non-oil exports, with a push to widen export channels, speed up cargo processing, and bring more foreign exchange into the economy.<\/p>\n
NPA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho said this at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, held under the theme “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy.”<\/p>\n
He said the authority is improving port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland so exporters can reach global markets more easily.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the NPA Special Day, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dantsoho said trade resilience depends on efficient infrastructure, predictable tax rules, and smooth supply chains.<\/p>\n
He said Nigeria’s economic resilience can no longer rest mainly on imports and oil revenue, adding that growing non-oil exports and linking businesses across the country to global value chains are key to lasting growth.<\/p>\n
He noted that the Federal Government recently approved the transfer of Inland Dry Port (IDP) management and development to the NPA, a move he said brings port efficiency closer to businesses far from the coast.<\/p>\n
Dantsoho said exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, will benefit most, since they will no longer have to move raw commodities to coastal ports before completing clearance and documentation.<\/p>\n
“By bringing Inland Dry Ports under the operational purview of the 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,” he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the authority has introduced fresh measures to clear the bottlenecks facing non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated Export Processing Terminals.<\/p>\n
According to him, the terminals serve as one-stop centres where sorting, packaging, quality certification, and customs documentation are completed before export cargo moves to port terminals.<\/p>\n
He said the measures are already supporting non-oil exports, especially agricultural commodities and solid minerals, and helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules.<\/p>\n
Dantsoho said exports of cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, hibiscus, and solid minerals have picked up over the past two years.<\/p>\n
He said the smoother export channels would raise foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange inflows.<\/p>\n
He urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing, and solid minerals to take advantage of the new export infrastructure and expand into international markets.<\/p>\n
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade,” he said.<\/p>\n
He said linking Inland Dry Ports with seaport operations would make exporting from any part of Nigeria easier and more commercially viable, and assured exporters that the NPA remains committed to efficient port services and wider logistics reach.<\/p>\n
He said the goal is a trade-friendly environment where exporters, whatever their size or location, can get reliable logistics support and compete better globally.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, ACCI called for closer collaboration with the NPA to ease trade, unlock investment, and strengthen the link between the maritime sector and the wider business community.<\/p>\n
ACCI Director General Agabaidu Jideani made the call at the NPA Day held on the sidelines of the fair.<\/p>\n
Jideani said closer engagement between the NPA and the organised private sector is critical to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains, and boosting Nigeria’s role in domestic, regional, and international trade.<\/p>\n
He said the efficiency, accessibility, and competitiveness of the country’s ports directly affect importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers, and other businesses.<\/p>\n
“The efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports have direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and numerous other businesses across our sectoral groups,” he said.<\/p>\n
He said ACCI is keen to strengthen the connection between businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and the wider national and international trade ecosystem.<\/p>\n
He said the Chamber can give businesses a structured platform to share their practical experiences with the NPA, while the authority can use the same platform to explain port operations, trade facilitation initiatives, procedures, and opportunities in the maritime sector.<\/p>\n
“We therefore commend the Nigerian Ports Authority for participating in this year’s Abuja International Trade Fair and for using the NPA Day to engage directly with the organised private sector,” Jideani said.<\/p>\n
“We see this participation not merely as an exhibition opportunity, but as an important platform for dialogue, stakeholder engagement and partnership.”<\/p>\n
He said the Chamber is ready to deepen its engagement with the NPA through policy dialogues, business forums, sensitisation programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and other mutual efforts, which he said would lead to more efficient trade and stronger economic ties.<\/p>\n
Jideani said the partnership matters even more as businesses keep pushing for better market access, stronger supply chains, and a friendlier climate for trade and investment.<\/p>\n
He said the trade fair, held under the theme “Resilience, Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” is a good platform for businesses, government agencies, investors, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, and development partners to interact.<\/p>\n
He said the fair reflects the Chamber’s mandate to promote trade, investment, and sustainable economic development.<\/p>\n
“The AITF is a practical expression of this mandate. It brings together businesses, investors, government agencies, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to showcase products and services, establish business connections, explore markets and discuss issues affecting the economy,” he said.<\/p>\n
Jideani said stronger collaboration between institutions like the NPA and the organised private sector is essential to improving Nigeria’s trading environment.<\/p>\n
He commended the NPA for taking part in the 21st edition, calling it a chance to deepen understanding and promote dialogue between the maritime sector and the broader business community.<\/p>\n
He said ACCI looks forward to a stronger, lasting relationship with the NPA that supports businesses, eases trade, and opens new economic opportunities.<\/p>\n
“We look forward to building an even stronger and more sustained partnership that will support businesses, facilitate trade, create opportunities, and contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the Nigerian economy,” he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is working to remove the bottlenecks holding back Nigeria’s non-oil exports, with a push to widen export channels, speed up cargo processing, and bring more foreign exchange...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12939,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t