The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and Dangote Industries Ltd. have entered a strategic partnership aimed at deepening Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sector, with a major focus on expanding export operations and port efficiency.
This was disclosed in a statement by Mr. Okechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Communication and Strategy at NPA, following a high-level visit by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and Group CEO of Dangote Group, to the NPA Headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
During the meeting, Dangote revealed bold plans for export expansion, beginning with cement shipments from its Itori cement plant, which currently has six million tons of cement ready for export.
“In the next couple of weeks, we will begin exporting coal. Our fertilizer export will involve at least eight cargoes. The refinery alone will export no less than 25 million tons of various products annually,” said Dangote.
He further announced plans to export between 600,000 to 700,000 metric tons of polypropylene, while fertilizer exports are projected to bring in $6.5 to $7 million daily, positioning Dangote Industries as a major foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.
The business mogul said the Lekki operations alone would account for up to 240 crude-laden ships annually, alongside over 600 ships of refined products and eight ships for fertilizer exports — figures he described as unprecedented in Nigeria’s maritime history.
Dangote acknowledged operational challenges but expressed optimism that the current NPA leadership could resolve them. He called on the Federal Government to equip the NPA with additional assets like tugboats to support rising export volumes.
In his remarks, NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, thanked Dangote for commending the government’s “Naira for Crude” policy, coordinated through NPA’s One Stop Shop platform. He noted the initiative has improved efficiency in inter-agency transactions and port operations since its launch on October 1, 2024.
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“We currently handle over 57 vessels monthly. With Dangote’s projection of 600 vessels per annum, we are already on track to exceed expectations,” said Dantsoho.
The NPA boss also highlighted the government’s renewed efforts in port infrastructure development, noting that the last major port built in Nigeria was the Tin Can Island Port in 1977.
“We now have Federal Executive Council approval for the modernization of Tin Can and Apapa ports. Construction is expected to commence in Q3 of this year. Additionally, greenfield deep seaports such as Ibom, Bakassi, Olokola, Ondo, and Badagry have been approved and are progressing toward implementation,” he added.
Dantsoho emphasized the importance of the National Single Window and Port Community System, stating that 95% of approved cargoes are already processed through the digital system. He urged other government agencies to cooperate in enhancing port operations for broader economic benefits.
The Dangote-NPA collaboration signals a transformative step toward making Nigeria a global export hub, leveraging both public and private sector synergy.
NAN
