Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has emphasized that Abuja’s central location and its rich agro-allied potential are critical to boosting Nigeria’s non-oil revenue. He stated that these advantages align with NPA’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to connect local producers in the non-oil sector with international markets.
Speaking at the Abuja International Trade Fair during the “NPA Special Day,” Dr. Dantsoho described Abuja’s geographical centrality as a strategic asset for trade facilitation. He noted that this positioning enhances port-hinterland connectivity, enabling seamless integration with the diverse economic strengths of Nigeria’s regions and increasing the volume and value of exports.
“As Nigeria’s leading trade facilitation platform, we are proud to support the Abuja International Trade Fair,” he said. “Trade remains a powerful tool for achieving our national economic goals.”
Dr. Dantsoho invited traders and investors to explore the NPA’s streamlined export processes and opportunities. He highlighted the establishment of Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) as a major step toward simplifying the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods.
He explained that these terminals serve as one-stop hubs for cargo consolidation, documentation, packaging, certification, and shipment.. “By eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, we’ve made Nigerian exports more competitive globally.”
To further enhance connectivity between ports and inland regions, the EPTs are integrated with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs), Inland Dry Ports, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). This structure opens up the export value chain to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), fostering broader participation.
In line with the fair’s theme—“Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives and Taxation”—Dr. Dantsoho announced the consolidation of NPA’s operational channels into a unified Ports Community System (PCS). This system lays the foundation for the National Single Window (NSW), a global best practice that streamlines trade by reducing human interference and delays.
“The NSW connects all stakeholders in the trade ecosystem for seamless interaction at the push of a button,” he said. “We’re committed to linking producers in even the most remote areas to global demand clusters.”
Dr. Dantsoho concluded by reaffirming NPA’s openness to partnerships beyond the trade fair and encouraged stakeholders to visit the authority’s interactive website at www.nigerianports.gov.ng to explore its growth initiatives.