Bold reforms, innovations and collaborative initiatives aimed at the overall development of the nation’s economy continue to trail the Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho-led management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), what with a projected revenue target of N1.28 trillion and investment of over N770b on port modernization projects and a legacy of employee productivity through adequate reward system and motivation
By Edu Abade
In its sustained efforts to boost Nigeria’s ranking in the global maritime domain and enhance the nation’s economic development, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set a revenue target of N1.279 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, amounting to 40 percent increase when compared with the N865 billion projected in 2024, which it has exceeded with N894.86 billion in actual revenue.
The Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this while presenting the Authority’s 2025 budget proposals before the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Marine Transport on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Dantsoho, who also revealed that the NPA remitted N400 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in 2024, nearly double of its remittance in the previous year, explained that the projected revenue of N1.279 trillion for 2025 would be driven by improved cargo throughput, increased ship traffic, enhanced concession arrangements, and administrative charges.
Specifically, the revenue breakdown include, N430 billion from cargo services; N544 billion from ship dues; N240 billion from port concession agreements and N73 billion from administrative fees.
Dantsoho said, “This budget is more than just figures. It reflects our commitment to building a more efficient and globally competitive port system.”
He also pointed out that over 70 percent of the projected expenditure would go into capital infrastructure.
The 2025 budget proposal, he added, included a total expenditure of N1.14 trillion, of which N778.46 billion was earmarked for capital projects.
He said the investments would focus on the revitalization of key port infrastructure in Calabar, Warri, and Burutu, as well as improvements in towage services, channel depth and compliance with international maritime security standards.
Dantsoho further stressed that the revenue projections were anchored on several strategic initiatives and developments, adding that the initiatives include full operationalization of the Dangote Refinery’s marine terminal, expected to attract over 600 vessels annually through its Single Point Mooring (SPM) system and the commissioning of modernized terminals at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) and OMT.
He also listed the deployment of automation systems such as the National Single Window, Port Community System (PCS), and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) noting that there was increased cargo traffic as a result of global trade route realignments driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, “These investments in infrastructure and technology are not optional-they are essential if Nigeria’s ports are to remain regionally and globally competitive,” Dantsoho stressed.
Responding, Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos Central), urged the management of NPA to further improve port infrastructure and operational efficiency, noting that Nigeria’s ports remain very strategic and important in driving economic growth and jobs creation.
Other lawmakers, including Senators Iya Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), Amos Yohanna (PDP, Adamawa South), Kenneth Eze (APC, Ebonyi Central) and Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), commended the NPA’s consistent performance in surpassing its revenue targets.
Ningi described the presentation as “a well-prepared and data-driven document,” while also urging the Authority to do more to support the Federal Government in addressing fiscal deficits and reducing reliance on borrowing.
However, Senator Cyril Fasuyi called on the NPA to trim its expenditure, stating that the proposed N1.1 trillion spending plan for 2025 appeared excessive.
As the NPA pursues modernization and digitisation of port operations, expectations remain high for the agency to play a more pivotal role in boosting national revenue and transforming Nigeria’s maritime landscape.
MEANWHILE, Dr. Dantsoho has harped on the need for human capital development in the sustainable development of the maritime sector of the economy as the Authority recently elevated no fewer than 1,500 across all its cadres.
He explained that human capital development constitutes one of the key strategies for creating and sustaining superior performance in his administration.
This followed the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned companies (SSASGOC) commendation of the NPA for clearing the age-long problem of employee stagnation in the Authority over the years.
According to him, talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big, hairy and audacious goals we have set for ourselves, especially in the area of port competitiveness. The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boost their morale.
A statement issued by NPA affirmed that Dantsoho commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led management team that resolved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must especially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly,” Dantsoho said.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President of SSASGOC, Comrade Bodunde said, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
The statement, which was made available to journalists by the General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications at NPA, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, also quoted Dantsoho as saying, “Our port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand in hand with continuous staff welfare improvement.”
