Dantsoho Highlights Abuja’s Strategic Role in Driving Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Growth

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has underscored the strategic importance of Abuja’s central location and agro-allied potential in accelerating Nigeria’s non-oil revenue growth. Speaking during the “NPA Special Day” at the Abuja International Trade Fair, Dr. Dantsoho emphasized the Authority’s commitment to enhancing trade facilitation and export competitiveness through innovative infrastructure and digital integration.

“Abuja’s centrality offers a unique advantage for port-hinterland connectivity. It enables seamless integration with regional comparative advantages across the federation, positioning the capital as a vital hub for linking local producers to global markets”, Dantsoho stated.

He noted that the NPA’s renewed focus on non-oil exports aligns with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda. By leveraging Abuja’s geographic and economic strengths, the Authority aims to connect value creators in agriculture and manufacturing to international demand clusters, thereby boosting export volumes and value.

Highlighting the Authority’s recent initiatives, Dr. Dantsoho introduced the Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) as a game-changer in simplifying Nigeria’s export logistics. “The EPTs serve as one-stop-shops for cargo consolidation, documentation, packaging, and certification,” he explained. “Through electronic call-up systems, we’ve eliminated bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered Nigeria’s global competitiveness.”

To further strengthen the export ecosystem, the NPA has integrated EPTs with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs), Inland Dry Ports, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), creating a robust framework for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in international trade.

In line with the trade fair’s theme—Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives and Taxation—Dr. Dantsoho announced the rollout of the Ports Community System (PCS), a unified digital gateway that streamlines transactions across the maritime value chain. The PCS lays the foundation for the National Single Window (NSW), a global best practice that enables real-time interaction among stakeholders and eliminates delays caused by manual processes.

Speaking further, he said, “The NSW is designed to connect even the most remote producers to global markets with the push of a button. It’s about delivering maximum value with minimal friction.”

Dantsoho concluded by inviting stakeholders to explore the NPA’s export facilitation offerings and emphasized the Authority’s openness to partnerships beyond the trade fair. He encouraged the public to engage with the NPA’s interactive portal at www.nigerianports.gov.ng for real-time access to services and opportunities.