The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, says Nigeria is at the forefront of Africa’s blue economy growth, with the country’s port system poised to play a pivotal role in unlocking strategic investments and accelerating economic growth. Speaking at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, Dantsoho attributed the transformation of the nation’s maritime sector to the impact of reforms by the Federal Government, noting that these efforts are positioning Nigeria to compete favourably within Africa’s evolving blue economy landscape.
Dantsoho assured investors that Nigeria had the capacity to dominate Africa’s blue economy, citing ongoing reforms and increased private sector participation as critical drivers of transformation in the maritime sector. He said the country must urgently refocus its economic priorities towards fully harnessing its vast marine resources in line with global sustainability goals and evolving international maritime best practices. “The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources,” he said.
The NPA boss said that Nigeria’s strategic location, large population and economic strength positioned it to become a maritime hub for West Africa, comparable to global leaders such as Singapore and Morocco. However, he expressed concern that Nigeria currently handled only about 25 per cent of cargo traffic in the region, despite accounting for over 60 per cent of West Africa’s GDP. “This clearly shows that we have not fully optimised our potential,” he said.
Dantsoho said that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is implementing far-reaching reforms to reposition the sector. Key initiatives include port modernisation, deployment of a Trade Single Window, implementation of a Port Community System, development of deep seaports and full digitalisation of port operations. He noted that private sector funding remained central to achieving these goals, with the NPA actively encouraging project financing to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve operational efficiency.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, added that Nigeria’s natural endowments, including its 823-kilometre coastline and extensive inland waterways, positioned it strongly to lead the sector. He noted that reforms by the Federal Government had improved coordination, strengthened maritime security and boosted investor confidence, with the sector accounting for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s international trade by volume.
