By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Kaduna — The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has urged traders, exporters, and investors to leverage newly streamlined export pathways designed to reposition Nigeria as a competitive force in global trade.

Dantsoho made the appeal during the “NPA Special Day” at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair 2026, where he outlined reforms aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically hindered participation in the export value chain.

Addressing participants, the NPA chief encouraged the business community to explore the Authority’s tailored export processes.

“Let me seize the occasion of this ‘NPA Special Day’ to invite the entire trading and investing public to explore the simplified export processes and other vistas of opportunity present at the Nigerian Ports Authority,” he said.

He explained that the reforms are strategically targeted at boosting non-oil exports, improving Nigeria’s balance of trade, and integrating producers from the hinterland into global supply networks.

Central to the reform agenda is the establishment of Export Process Terminals (EPTs), conceived as one-stop hubs for cargo consolidation, packaging, documentation, certification, and electronic shipment scheduling.

“The Export Process Terminals were conceptualized to simplify what used to be a burdensome export process. Today, exporters can complete documentation, packaging and shipment coordination seamlessly and efficiently,” Dantsoho stated.

He noted that the EPTs are electronically integrated with port operations through the call-up system, enabling faster cargo evacuation, reduced congestion, and improved turnaround time at the ports.

To strengthen port-hinterland connectivity, the NPA is collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other stakeholders to link the terminals with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs). The initiative is aimed at creating structured export pathways for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate more competitively in international trade.

“We are determined to link value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe,” he declared.

Dantsoho emphasized that trade remains Nigeria’s most potent instrument for achieving its economic aspirations, particularly as the country intensifies efforts to diversify from oil dependence.

He also highlighted ongoing moves toward full automation of port operations through the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW), which he described as a global best practice in trade facilitation.

“The National Single Window will deliver the greatest value with the greatest ease by enabling stakeholders to interact at the push of a button,” he explained.

Describing Kaduna as a strategic commercial hub, Dantsoho said its geographic advantage as a gateway to the northern hinterland and neighbouring landlocked countries positions it at the core of Nigeria’s export expansion strategy.

“The strategic positioning of Kaduna as a melting pot of population, trade and transportation presents huge opportunities for linking local producers to international clusters of demand,” he said.

Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to collaboration, the NPA boss assured stakeholders that engagement would continue beyond the trade fair.

“Our doors remain open for partnerships as we work together to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy through enhanced trade facilitation,” he added.