By Abbas Nazil
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has reiterated the Authority’s commitment to supporting the Lekki Deep Seaport in realizing its full potential in driving the national economy through economies of scale.
During a high-level visit to the port on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Dantsoho emphasized that the NPA will provide every necessary backing to enable the Lekki Port, Nigeria’s first fully automated deep seaport, to catalyze economic transformation.
Dantsoho stated that the Lekki Port’s ability to berth super post-panamax-sized vessels puts it in a unique position to boost Nigeria’s global maritime competitiveness and enhance the country’s export capacity, particularly in agro-allied products.
“This management intends to more frontally position the national economy to reap the multi-dimensional benefits of economies of scale that Lekki Port with its capacity to berth super post-panamax sized vessels possesses,” he said.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the port’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge automation, Dantsoho noted that Lekki Deep Seaport serves as a model for the NPA’s broader port modernization programme.
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He explained that the port’s advanced features align with the Authority’s ongoing drive to automate all ports nationwide, a vision that is receiving full policy backing from the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.
Dantsoho also referenced the fast-tracked deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), which is in its final stages and will integrate with the proposed National Single Window (NSW) framework.
This initiative is expected to significantly streamline port operations, reduce turnaround times, and improve transparency across the nation’s port system.
The visit comes shortly after Minister Oyetola endorsed the strategic alliance between the NPA and Lekki Port to deepen the port’s draft, further preparing it for the anticipated increase in vessel and cargo traffic.
This partnership is seen as a key enabler in positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in the West African region, especially as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains traction.
Present during the visit were key stakeholders, including the Chairman of Lekki Port Board, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri; Managing Director of Lekki Port, Mr. Qiang Wang; Executive Director Finance and Administration at the NPA, Vivian Richard-Edet; Director at Lekki Port, Alhaji Olabode Oyedele; and several senior officials from both the NPA and Lekki Port.
