The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has intensified efforts to remove bottlenecks affecting Nigeria’s non-oil exports, with measures aimed at expanding export channels, improving cargo processing and increasing foreign exchange inflows.

The NPA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the authority’s Special Day during the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

The event was held under the theme, “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy.”

Dantsoho said the NPA was strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to enable exporters to access international markets more efficiently.

He said Nigeria’s economic resilience could no longer depend largely on oil revenues and imports, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses across the country into global value chains were essential to sustainable economic growth.

The NPA chief said the Federal Government’s recent approval for the transfer of Inland Dry Port (IDP) management and development functions to the NPA would bring port services closer to businesses located away from coastal areas.

He said the measure would particularly benefit exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, by reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before completing clearance and documentation.

Dantsoho said bringing IDPs under the NPA’s operational purview would make exporting from different parts of the country more accessible and commercially viable.

He also disclosed that the authority had operationalised dedicated Export Processing Terminals to address bottlenecks affecting non-oil exporters.

According to him, the terminals provide one-stop facilities where sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation can be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals.

He said the interventions were supporting increased exports of agricultural commodities and solid minerals while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules.

Dantsoho identified cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus among agricultural commodities that had recorded increased export activity over the past two years, alongside solid minerals.

He said streamlined export channels would improve foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange inflows into the economy.

The NPA boss urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure and expand their presence in international markets.

He assured exporters that the authority would continue to improve port services and extend maritime logistics to different regions of the country.

Dantsoho said the NPA’s objective was to create a trade-enabling environment where exporters, regardless of their size or location, could access reliable logistics support and compete more effectively in global markets.

Also speaking, the Director-General of ACCI, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, called for stronger collaboration between the chamber and NPA to facilitate trade, unlock investment opportunities and strengthen the connection between Nigeria’s maritime sector and the wider business community.

Jideani said closer engagement between the NPA and the organised private sector would help improve the ease of doing business, strengthen supply chains and enhance Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade.