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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stepped up efforts to remove bottlenecks affecting non-oil exports, as part of measures to expand export channels, improve cargo processing and increase foreign exchange inflows into the economy.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the NPA Special Day during the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) at the weekend.
The trade fair was held under the theme, “Resilience, Trade, Taxation and the Economy.”
Dantsoho said the NPA was strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to enable businesses across the country to access international markets more efficiently.
He said Nigeria could no longer depend largely on imports and oil revenues for economic growth, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating local businesses into global value chains were critical to building a more resilient economy.
The NPA boss said the recent Federal Government approval transferring the management and development functions of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) to the NPA would bring port services closer to businesses located far from the coastal ports.
According to him, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, would benefit from the arrangement by reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before completing 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.
Dantsoho also said the NPA had introduced targeted measures to tackle 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 could be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals.
He said the measures were supporting increased export activity, particularly in agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules.
Dantsoho listed cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus among agricultural commodities that had recorded increased export activity in the past two years.
He said more efficient export channels would improve foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange earnings for the country.
He urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure and expand into international markets.
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade,” he said.
Dantsoho said integrating Inland Dry Ports with seaport operations would make exporting from different parts of the country more accessible and commercially viable.
He assured exporters that the NPA would continue to improve port services and extend maritime logistics to different regions, with the aim of creating an environment where businesses, regardless of their size or location, could compete more effectively in global markets.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, called for stronger collaboration between the chamber and 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 organised private sector was essential to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade.
He said the efficiency and accessibility of the nation’s ports had direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators and retailers.
“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.
Jideani said ACCI was particularly interested in strengthening the link between businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and the wider national and international trade ecosystem.
He said the chamber could provide a platform for businesses to share their experiences with the NPA, while the authority could use such engagements to educate the business community on port operations, trade facilitation initiatives, procedures and opportunities in the maritime sector.
He described the NPA’s participation in the Abuja International Trade Fair as more than an exhibition, saying it provided an opportunity for dialogue, stakeholder engagement and partnership.
Jideani said ACCI was ready to deepen its relationship with the NPA through policy dialogues, business forums, sensitisation programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
He added that stronger collaboration between the maritime authority and organised private sector would help improve trade efficiency, strengthen supply chains and create new opportunities for businesses.
“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.
Jideani said the chamber looked forward to building a stronger and sustained partnership with the NPA to support businesses, facilitate trade and improve the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.
