NPA Port Modernisation, National Single Window to Drive Economic Growth
Nigeria’s maritime sector — which handles more than 80 per cent of the country’s international trade — is currently experiencing a major transformation under the leadership of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho. Built around port modernisation, digital trade facilitation, and institutional reforms, the emerging maritime policy direction aims to reposition Nigeria’s seaports as competitive gateways within the global shipping network.
Recently, the Nigerian Ports Authority released its 2025 operational report, revealing that the nation’s maritime sector recorded a remarkable rise in activities. The growth was driven by increased cargo throughput, expanding container traffic, and a stronger export presence — developments that reflect the Federal Government’s drive toward economic diversification.
According to the 2025 Operational Performance Report, total cargo throughput grew by 24.8 per cent, increasing from about 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to more than 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.
Commenting on the development, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, described the surge as one of the most remarkable annual growth records in Nigeria’s maritime history. He noted that the achievement further strengthens the country’s position as a strategic and competitive player in regional and global trade.
He explained that the performance is the outcome of ongoing reforms championed by the Federal Government. For years, Nigeria’s ports grappled with numerous operational and infrastructural challenges.
However, the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated an ambitious reform agenda to reverse the trend. The programme is being driven by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola and implemented largely by the Nigerian Ports Authority under Abubakar Dantsoho.
At the core of the reform efforts are two major initiatives: the comprehensive modernisation of Nigeria’s port infrastructure and the introduction of the National Single Window (NSW) — a digital trade platform designed to simplify documentation processes and reduce bureaucratic delays in cargo clearance.
Ahead of the official rollout of the NSW platform, the Nigerian Ports Authority has already established the necessary frameworks to support its implementation. As a key stakeholder in the initiative, the Authority has aligned its operational systems with the NSW platform.
To achieve this, the NPA has actively participated in the NSW Committee, collaborating with the project implementation team, KPMG, and CrimsonLogic to ensure seamless integration of its Revenue Invoice Management System (RIMS 2.0) into the broader NSW architecture.
These engagements have led to several strategic, operational, and technical adjustments aimed at aligning the Authority’s processes with the national digital trade framework.
As part of the first phase of the NSW rollout, the Nigerian Ports Authority has participated in multiple technical and strategic sessions with the NSW Project Team and its implementation partners. This includes completing initial User Acceptance Testing (UAT), participating in the inauguration of the NSW Transition Committee, and supporting the development and deployment of required system integrations.
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