Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has been elected Vice-President for Africa of the International Association for Ports & Harbours (IAPH), a move that further cements Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance.
The election, held in Tokyo, is another milestone for Dantsoho, who had earlier made history as the first Nigerian to lead the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa since its creation in 1972.
Confirming the victory on Tuesday, NPA spokesperson Ikechukwu Onyemekara said the development reflects “international recognition of Nigeria’s renewed leadership in maritime development.”
IAPH Secretary-General Masahiko Furuichi also welcomed the appointment, stating: “I am delighted to work together with you in IAPH for the years to come.”
Under Dantsoho’s stewardship, the NPA has recorded major operational gains, including a significant surge in non-oil exports and improvements in Nigeria’s trade balance. According to the Nigerian Export Processing Council (NEPC), non-oil exports rose 19.59% in the first half of 2025 to $3.225 billion, while exports through NPA platforms hit 4.04 million metric tonnes. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) credited these reforms with helping Nigeria post a trade surplus for the first time in years.
Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Tokyo, the IAPH is a global alliance of over 190 ports and 167 port-related businesses in 89 countries, collectively handling more than 60% of the world’s seaborne trade and container traffic. The body partners with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Customs Organization (WCO), and the United Nations to shape global maritime policy.
With his elevation, Dantsoho positions Nigeria at the forefront of global port policy debates, strengthening the country’s role in advancing trade efficiency, port resilience, and sustainable maritime growth.
