BY GODWIN OBI
Abubakar Dantsoho, the dynamic Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), is leading a game-changing initiative that promises to reshape the nation’s international trade landscape. Describing the implementation of a national Single Window platform as the “most strategic port development since 2003,” Dantsoho is confident that this move will fast-track Nigeria’s entry into the prestigious Category C council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This ambitious overhaul aims to streamline trade operations and boost Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness. According to Dantsoho, the national Single Window will not only serve as a one-stop shop for both importers and exporters, but it will also unify the port community system, a critical requirement by the IMO. Moreover, it will ensure that Nigeria’s trade practices align with global standards set by the World Trade Organization (WTO), drastically improving the country’s trade facilitation framework.
At a recent maritime forum in Lagos, Dantsoho passionately outlined the far-reaching benefits of this revolutionary system. He pointed out that the Single Window platform will facilitate smoother, more efficient trade operations, creating faster and more cost-effective interactions between businesses and government agencies. This in turn, will help propel Nigeria’s economic growth and secure much-needed funds for its IMO Category membership.
“This initiative is more than just a digital upgrade,” Dantsoho explained. “It will play a key role in the global trade system, with over 500 million container movements and more than 50 billion tons of cargo flowing through sea, land, and airports worldwide. Nigeria’s adoption of the Single Window will enhance the efficiency of our ports, giving us a competitive edge in international trade.”
Dantsoho also reminded stakeholders that under the WTO’s trade facilitation agreement, member states are now legally obligated to implement the Single Window system. “The clock is ticking, and Nigeria must rise to the occasion,” he emphasized, urging all involved to rally behind this critical transformation.
The success of this initiative, he noted, depends heavily on the creation of a seamless “one-stop shop” that integrates all relevant government agencies and private sector players, including local refineries. With the NPA coordinating this massive undertaking, Dantsoho is optimistic that Nigeria is on the verge of unlocking new economic opportunities and solidifying its standing in the global maritime arena.
In short, Nigeria is about to embark on a thrilling journey that will redefine its role in global trade—and the NPA, under Dantsoho’s leadership, is steering the ship.
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2025-02-04
2025-02-04
