Business
THE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has secured global recognition as Apapa and Tin Can ports ranked among the world’s top 20 improved ports.
NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.
He reacted to the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) report, describing the ranking as historic for Nigeria.
Dantsoho said the inclusion marked the first time Nigerian ports featured in the category measuring efficiency improvements.
He explained that the CPPI measures operational efficiency and vessel turnaround time improvements across global ports.
The NPA boss said the 2025 report placed both ports among top performers.
He attributed the achievement to reforms, digitisation, automation and reduced bureaucratic delays across port operations nationwide.
“CPPI provides data-driven assessments of port performance based on vessel time spent from arrival to departure,” he said.
Dantsoho said the index enabled fair comparisons, highlights progress and identifies operational challenges needing urgent attention.
“For years, Apapa and Tin Can suffered reputational damage from congestion, truck gridlock and manual cargo clearance,” he said.
He added that those challenges increased costs and pushed shipping lines towards neighbouring countries.
According to him, the new ranking shows the situation has changed through improved port operations.
“Faster vessel turnaround cuts logistics costs, speeds cargo delivery and restores shipping firms’ confidence,” Dantsoho said.
He noted that efficient port operations have contributed to Nigeria’s broader economic performance since 2024.
Dantsoho said recent NBS figures showing a ₦7.54 trillion trade surplus reflected strong maritime sector contributions.
He praised President Bola Tinubu’s policies, saying they encouraged investment in port infrastructure and modernisation.
The NPA managing director also acknowledged the support of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
“With supportive policies and ministerial backing, we can enhance trade facilitation and boost the economy,” he said.
Dantsoho said the recognition would strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector globally.
He noted that the next challenge was sustaining improvements to achieve higher future rankings.
“The goal is moving from being most improved to becoming among the most efficient ports,” he said.
Dantsoho added that the ranking reinforced Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s leading trade hub. (NAN)
A.I
June 16, 2026
Tags: Dr Abubakar Dantsoho Nigerian Ports Authority NPA World Bank Ranking