The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been named Outstanding Agency of the Year 2025 by Champions Newspapers Limited at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony held in Lagos.
Receiving the honour on behalf of the Authority, NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, described the recognition as a validation of the leadership driving a wave of smart initiatives designed to align the Authority with its long-term vision of transforming Nigeria into Africa’s leading maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services.
Dantsoho also acknowledged the crucial backing of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, noting that the Minister’s steadfast support has played a decisive role in the Authority’s recent achievements.
Among the milestones highlighted was the sustained improvement in port efficiency, which has contributed to Nigeria recording year-on-year trade surpluses of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in the second and third quarters of 2025 respectively, according to reports by the National Bureau of Statistics and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. These gains were largely driven by export activities facilitated through NPA platforms.
The Authority also played a key role in implementing the policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mandating crude oil and petroleum product sales in naira, a move credited with saving billions in foreign exchange, strengthening energy security, improving the country’s trade balance and stimulating job creation.
Further progress was recorded with Nigeria completing its membership of the International Port Community Systems Association, an important step towards the rollout of the National Single Window project aimed at streamlining port processes and trade documentation. At the same time, NPA’s technical guidance has helped drive a notable surge in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Sea Port, positioning the facility to serve neighbouring landlocked countries while reclaiming cargo previously diverted to competing regional ports.
Building on these gains, the Authority is set to deliver a number of landmark projects in 2025, including the planned $1 billion reconstruction of Tin Can Island Port Complex, the rehabilitation of critical port infrastructure across the country, the development of new deep seaports and the expansion of environmentally responsible port operations.
According to the organisers, the award recognises the Nigerian Ports Authority’s pivotal role as a major trade facilitation platform driving national economic growth through the strategic utilisation of Nigeria’s vast maritime resources.