The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has called on traders, exporters, and investors to take advantage of newly simplified export processes designed to reposition Nigeria as a competitive global trading nation.
Speaking during the “NPA Special Day” at the Kaduna International Trade Fair 2026, Dantsoho announced that the Authority has introduced tailor-made reforms aimed at dismantling long-standing bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously discouraged participation in the export value chain.
He explained that the reforms are targeted at boosting non-oil exports, improving Nigeria’s balance of trade, and integrating producers from the hinterland into global supply chains. A key pillar of the initiative is the establishment of Export Process Terminals (EPTs), structured as one-stop hubs for cargo consolidation, packaging, documentation, certification, and electronic shipment scheduling.
“The Export Process Terminals were conceptualized to simplify what used to be a burdensome export process. Today, exporters can complete documentation, packaging, and shipment coordination in a seamless and efficient manner,” Dantsoho stated.
According to him, the EPTs are electronically integrated with port operations through the call-up system to ensure faster cargo evacuation, reduced congestion, and improved turnaround time. To deepen port-hinterland connectivity, the NPA is collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other partners to link EPTs with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs), thereby creating structured pathways for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate more effectively in international trade.
Dantsoho emphasized that trade remains the most viable instrument for achieving Nigeria’s economic aspirations, particularly as the country intensifies efforts to diversify away from oil dependence. He also highlighted ongoing efforts toward full automation of port operations through the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW), which he described as a global best practice in trade facilitation.
“The National Single Window will deliver the greatest value with the greatest ease by enabling stakeholders to interact at the push of a button,” he said, noting that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed export orientation and local content development agenda.
Describing Kaduna as a strategic commercial hub, Dantsoho said its geographic positioning as a gateway to the northern hinterland and neighbouring landlocked countries places it at the heart of Nigeria’s export expansion strategy.
Reaffirming the Authority’s openness to collaboration, the NPA boss assured stakeholders of sustained partnerships beyond the trade fair.
“Our doors remain open for partnerships as we work together to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy through enhanced trade facilitation,” he added.
By Ebute Matthew, Kaduna
