The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said its $1 billion Port Modernisation Drive is opening investment opportunities while efforts to improve export processing and cargo movement are expected to boost Nigeria’s non-oil export trade.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this while addressing participants at the 40th edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair, where he highlighted the Authority’s reforms to improve port efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position in international trade.
Dantsoho said the Authority had deployed Export Processing Terminals and dedicated cargo transit corridors to eliminate logistics bottlenecks, reduce export cargo turnaround time and streamline operations.
He explained that the Export Processing Terminals provide one-stop processing, documentation and pre-gating services for export cargo, thereby reducing delays and improving the movement of goods to the ports.
He added that the NPA had operationalised dedicated transit corridors in collaboration with security and traffic management agencies to ensure seamless movement of export cargo.
According to him, the initiatives are designed to improve non-oil export logistics, support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products in international markets and increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Describing non-oil exports as a national priority, the NPA boss said Nigeria needed to move from being predominantly a consuming nation to becoming a manufacturing and exporting powerhouse as part of efforts to diversify the economy.
He said the transformation of the maritime sector was the outcome of deliberate policy execution and strategic leadership, noting that the NPA occupied a strategic position in connecting local businesses with international markets.
On investment opportunities, Dantsoho said the $1 billion Port Modernisation Drive was creating room for local and international investors to participate in the development of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
He identified the rehabilitation and expansion of port infrastructure in Apapa, Tin Can, Calabar, Rivers, Delta and Onne as key areas requiring strategic partnerships and private sector investment.
He also listed digital and smart port solutions, including automated gates, the Port Community System, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) and artificial intelligence-driven logistics, among the areas open to investors.
Other opportunities, he said, include the development of dry ports and multimodal logistics infrastructure, such as inland container depots, rail-port linkages and cold-chain systems.
Dantsoho further identified green port initiatives, including renewable energy, eco-friendly equipment and sustainable waste management, as part of the modernisation programme in line with global decarbonisation goals.
He assured prospective investors that the NPA was committed to maintaining a transparent and business-friendly environment, supported by regulatory stability and attractive returns on investment.
The NPA managing director said the modernisation programme, with the support of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, would improve port efficiency, promote export-led growth and strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
He urged participants, international trade delegations and investors at the Lagos International Trade Fair to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Dantsoho said the theme of the 40th edition of the fair, “40 Years of Trade, Growth and Global Connection,” reflected the Authority’s mandate of connecting Nigerian businesses with international markets.
He reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to improving trade facilitation and developing an efficient maritime sector through sustained port modernisation.
