The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stepped up efforts to remove bottlenecks hampering Nigeria’s non-oil exports, with a renewed push to expand export channels, improve cargo processing and boost foreign exchange inflows into the economy
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, held under the theme, “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy.”
Speaking at the NPA Special Day organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dantsoho said trade resilience required efficient infrastructure, predictable fiscal frameworks and seamless supply chains
He said Nigeria’s economic resilience could no longer depend largely on imports and oil revenues, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses into global value chains remained critical to sustainable economic growth
Dantsoho said the recent Federal Government approval transferring Inland Dry Port (IDP) management and development functions to the NPA would bring port services closer to businesses operating far from coastal ports
According to him, the development would particularly benefit exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, by reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before completing port clearance and documentation
“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
The NPA boss added that the authority had introduced targeted interventions to eliminate bottlenecks confronting non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated Export Processing Terminals
He explained that the terminals serve as one-stop centres where sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation can be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals
Dantsoho said the measures were already supporting the growth of non-oil exports, particularly agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules
He noted that commodities such as cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus, alongside solid minerals, had recorded increased export activity over the past two years
According to him, streamlined export channels would strengthen foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange inflows into the domestic economy
He therefore urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure and expand their presence in international markets
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade,” he said
Dantsoho assured exporters that the NPA remained committed to providing efficient port services and extending maritime logistics to different regions of the country
He said the authority’s objective was to create a trade-enabling environment where exporters, regardless of their size or location, could access reliable logistics support and compete more effectively in global markets
Also speaking, the Director-General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, called for stronger collaboration with the NPA to facilitate trade, unlock investment opportunities and strengthen the link between Nigeria’s maritime sector and the wider business community
Jideani said closer engagement between the NPA and the organised private sector was critical to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade
“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
He said ACCI was particularly interested in strengthening connections between businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and the wider national and international trade ecosystem
According to him, the Chamber could provide a platform for businesses to share practical experiences with the NPA, while the Authority could use such engagements to enlighten the business community on port operations, trade facilitation initiatives, procedures and opportunities within the maritime sector