Nigerian Ports Authority receives the Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025 from Champions Newspapers at its 2025 Awards ceremony in Lagos.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, has been honoured with the Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025 by Champions Newspapers during the media organisation’s 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
Dr. Dantsoho, who was represented at the event by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said the recognition reflects the results of the Authority’s innovative leadership and strategic initiatives aimed at aligning the NPA with its vision of becoming the Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa.

Speaking at the ceremony, Onyemekara noted that the achievements recorded by the Authority were made possible through the strong support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

He highlighted several milestones that contributed to the recognition, including sustained port efficiency which helped Nigeria record a year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in the second and third quarters of 2025 respectively, according to reports by the National Bureau of Statistics and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. These gains were largely driven by export activities facilitated through NPA platforms.
The Authority also successfully implemented the policy of Bola Ahmed Tinubu on crude oil and petroleum product sales in Naira. The initiative has helped conserve billions in foreign exchange, strengthen energy security, improve Nigeria’s trade balance and support job creation.
Further achievements include the completion of Nigeria’s membership of the International Port Community Systems Association, a move considered crucial for the rollout of the National Single Window project. The Authority also provided technical support that boosted transhipment cargo operations at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, enabling Nigeria to serve landlocked neighbouring countries and recover cargo traffic previously lost to rival ports.
Another landmark accomplishment was the election of a Nigerian agency to lead the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa for the first time since the organisation was established in 1972. Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership role in regional maritime bodies, including the Port Authority Port Consultative Council, has also strengthened Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and contributed to the country’s re-admission into Category C of the International Maritime Organization.
These accomplishments, according to the Authority, have positioned the NPA to deliver several major projects in 2025. They include the planned $1 billion reconstruction of the Tin Can Island Port Complex, rehabilitation of other critical ports, development of additional deep seaports and the adoption of environmentally friendly port operations.
Champions Newspapers said the award was presented in recognition of the NPA’s crucial role as a major trade facilitation platform that continues to drive national economic growth through Nigeria’s maritime resources.