NPA Boss Joins Global Ports Leadership




Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has been elected Vice-President for Africa of the International Association for Ports & Harbours (IAPH), a move that underscores Nigeria’s rising profile in global maritime affairs.

The election, which took place in Tokyo, is a historic milestone for Dantsoho, who had earlier become the first Nigerian to head the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa since its founding in 1972.

Confirming the development in a statement, NPA spokesperson Ikechukwu Onyemekara said the appointment reflects growing international recognition of Nigeria’s leadership in maritime development. IAPH Secretary-General Masahiko Furuichi also welcomed the news, remarking: “I am delighted to work together with you in IAPH for the years to come.”

Dantsoho’s stewardship at the NPA has delivered major operational gains, including a surge in non-oil exports and a strengthened trade balance. According to the Nigerian Export Processing Council (NEPC), non-oil exports rose by 19.59% in the first half of 2025 to $3.225 billion, with export volumes through NPA facilities reaching 4.04 million metric tonnes. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) further credited these reforms with helping the country achieve a trade surplus for the first time in years.

Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Tokyo, IAPH is a global alliance of more than 190 ports and 167 port-related businesses across 89 countries. Together, its members account for over 60% of the world’s seaborne trade and container traffic, shaping global maritime policy in close collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Customs Organization (WCO), and the United Nations system.

Dantsoho’s elevation positions Nigeria at the center of global port policy discussions, enhancing its influence in promoting trade efficiency, port resilience, and sustainable growth within the maritime.



#Nigeria #Maritime #GlobalTrade #Ports #Leadership


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