By Abdullahi Lukman
The Nigerian federal government has reiterated its commitment to overhauling the country’s port system to improve trade facilitation, enhance transparency, and unlock the full potential of the marine and blue economy sector.
This announcement was made on Monday by Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, during the inauguration of the newly constituted governing board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Abuja.
Oyetola emphasized that institutional reform of the port system is critical to creating a competitive and efficient port network that meets global standards.
“Our goal is to strengthen the port system to boost economic transformation by increasing efficiency and transparency,” he said.
The minister urged members of the new board to approach their roles with discipline, focus, and a strong commitment to the national interest.
He stressed the importance of their oversight function, particularly regarding staffing and budgetary matters, as mandated by the Nigerian Ports Authority Act.
However, Oyetola made clear that the day-to-day management of the ports remains the exclusive responsibility of the Managing Director and the executive management team.
He explained that this clear separation of governance and management is vital to operational integrity and is explicitly outlined in both the NPA Act and the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
“It is important that the board provides policy direction and supervision aligned with government directives but does not interfere in routine management or operational execution,” the minister said.
Oyetola also called for constructive engagement between the NPA management and the new board, emphasizing professionalism, mutual respect, and shared responsibility to ensure institutional harmony.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, the new chairman, expressed gratitude to the federal government for the appointment and praised the board’s diverse composition.
He committed the team to working closely with the ministry and management to deliver on its mandate and make a meaningful impact.
The new governing board includes Senator Adeyeye (Chairman), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho (Managing Director), Hon. Olabanji Olawale Olateju, Hon. Amirudin Tukur Idris, Barr. Kelechi Igwe, Ekpebide Ebi-Erin Daniel, and Dr. Mercy Ilori, representing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Also on the board are Ibrahim Abba Umar (Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services), Olalekan Badmus (Executive Director, Marine and Operations), and Ms. Vivian C. Richard Edet (Executive Director, Finance and Administration).
The federal government’s reform initiative is expected to pave the way for increased transparency, streamlined operations, and enhanced competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports, which are vital gateways for the country’s international trade and economic growth.
