The Nigerian Ports Authority won the Outstanding Agency Award 2025 for leadership in trade efficiency, maritime innovation, and smart port initiatives

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has been honoured with the Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025 by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 awards ceremony in Lagos.

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The Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubarkar Dantsoho, described the accolade as recognition of his vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives aligned with the agency’s vision to become Africa’s maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services.

Represented at the ceremony by NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Dr Dantsoho highlighted the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, as pivotal to the agency’s achievements.

Key milestones cited include sustained port efficiencies that contributed to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of N7.5 trillion and N6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 of 2025, according to NBS and NESG reports.

These gains were largely driven by exports via NPA-managed platforms.

The NPA also successfully implemented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy on crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, enhancing energy security, boosting the trade balance, and creating employment opportunities.

International recognition was further cemented with Nigeria’s formal membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), advancing the National Single Window project, and by Dr Dantsoho’s leadership roles as President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa and the Pan-African Ports Conference.

The authority also guided a significant increase in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, recovering shipments lost to competing ports, and is spearheading major projects for 2025, including the $1 billion reconstruction of Tincan Island Port Complex, new deep seaport developments, and eco-friendly operations.

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Dr Dantsoho said the award underscores the agency’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and Africa-focused maritime growth.