By Micah Jonah
January 26, 2026
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and newly appointed IAPH Regional Vice President for Africa, says modernising Nigeria’s ports is key to economic expansion and trade competitiveness.
Dantsoho explained that the NPA manages navigation, safety, and channel maintenance, while cargo operations are handled by private terminal operators like MSC and APMT. He noted that Nigeria’s ports, especially Apapa and Tin Can, are outdated compared with regional peers in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, causing cargo diversion despite Nigeria’s larger economy and population.
Highlighting efforts to close infrastructure gaps, Dantsoho pointed to the operationalisation of the Lekki Deep Seaport, investment in new deep-seaports, and collaboration with development banks and international partners to enhance technology, port systems, and efficiency.
He said Nigeria aims to emulate global benchmarks like Morocco’s Tanger-Med, developing modern terminals capable of supporting both imports and exports, boosting mining and agricultural trade, and attracting foreign investment.
On his role at IAPH, Dantsoho emphasized collaboration with international partners to support developing economies, noting that Nigeria’s ports are poised for transformation through strategic planning, modern technology, strong leadership.
