Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced that its Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has been elected Vice-President for Africa of the International Association for Ports & Harbours (IAPH).
The election, held in Tokyo, marks a significant milestone for Dantsoho and further cements Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime affairs.
According to NPA spokesperson, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the appointment reflects international recognition of Nigeria’s renewed leadership in maritime development.
IAPH Secretary-General Masahiko Furuichi welcomed the development, expressing his delight in working together with Dantsoho in IAPH for years to come.
Under Dantsoho’s leadership, the NPA has achieved major operational gains, including a significant rise in non-oil exports and an improved trade balance.
According to the Nigerian Export Processing Council, non-oil exports rose by 19.59% in the first half of 2025 to $3.225 billion, while export volumes on NPA platforms climbed to 4.04 million metric tonnes.
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group has credited these reforms with helping Nigeria achieve a trade surplus for the first time in years.
As Vice-President of IAPH, Dantsoho is expected to play a key role in shaping global maritime policy and advancing trade efficiency, port resilience, and sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
