NPA to tackle obstacles against non-oil exports, enhance forex inflows
By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stepped up efforts to remove obstacles against militating Nigeria’s non-oil exports, with a push to improve cargo processing and boost foreign exchange inflows.
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.”
He said the authority was strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to enable exporters to access global markets more efficiently.
Dantsoho spoke at the NPA Special Day at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), where he said trade resilience required efficient infrastructure, predictable fiscal frameworks and seamless supply chains.
According to him, Nigeria’s economic resilience could no longer depend largely on imports and oil revenues, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses across the country into global value chains remained critical to sustainable economic growth.
He said the recent approval by the Federal Government for the transfer of Inland Dry Port (IDP) management and development functions to the NPA would bring port efficiency closer to businesses operating far from the coastal ports.
Dantsoho explained that 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.”
The NPA boss added that the authority had also introduced targeted interventions to eliminate bottlenecks confronting non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated Export Processing Terminals.
According to him, 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.
He said the interventions were already supporting the growth of non-oil exports, particularly agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules.
Dantsoho noted that agricultural products such as cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus, as well as solid minerals, had recorded increased export activity over the past two years.
He said the streamlined export channels would enhance foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange inflows into the domestic economy.
The NPA chief executive 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.
He said the integration of Inland Dry Ports with seaport operations would make exporting from different parts of Nigeria more accessible and commercially viable.
Dantsoho further 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.
The NPA boss said a resilient Nigerian economy depended on a thriving trade ecosystem, adding that the authority would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s position in international trade.
Also speaking, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for stronger collaboration with NPA to facilitate trade, unlock investment opportunities and strengthen the link between Nigeria’s maritime sector and the wider business community.
Director General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, made the call at the NPA Day organised on the sidelines of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) in Abuja.
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.
He said the efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of the nation’s ports had direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and other businesses
