By Simpson Global Media News Desk
Nigeria’s drive to expand non-oil exports and strengthen foreign-exchange earnings is entering a new phase as the Nigerian Ports Authority intensifies efforts to remove logistics and processing bottlenecks that have continued to make international trade more difficult for businesses outside the country’s coastal commercial centres.
The NPA says it is working to widen export channels, improve cargo processing and extend maritime logistics into the hinterland, with the objective of making it easier for Nigerian producers and exporters to reach international markets.
The latest push was disclosed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, during the authority’s Special Day at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The trade fair, held under the theme, “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy,” provided a platform for discussions around the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses, trade infrastructure, taxation and the wider economic environment.
Dantsoho said Nigeria could no longer depend predominantly on imports and oil revenues to sustain economic resilience.
He argued that expanding non-oil exports and connecting businesses across the country to global value chains were increasingly important to long-term economic growth.
The NPA’s latest position places transportation and port logistics at the centre of that challenge.
For exporters, producing a competitive commodity is only one part of the international trade equation. The goods must also be collected, processed, certified, documented, moved through customs and transported to a seaport within a timeframe that enables the exporter to meet the requirements of foreign buyers.
Where those processes are slow, fragmented or expensive, Nigerian products can become less competitive even when the underlying commodities have strong demand in international markets.
The authority’s new emphasis is therefore not simply about increasing activity at the seaports. It is also about bringing elements of the port process closer to producers.
Bringing the Ports Closer to Producers
One of the most significant developments highlighted by Dantsoho is the Federal Government’s approval for the transfer of management and development functions of Inland Dry Ports to the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The objective is to extend the reach of the country’s maritime logistics system beyond the traditional coastal port locations.
For exporters in northern and central Nigeria, the distance between production centres and seaports has long presented a major logistical challenge.
Agricultural commodities and other products produced far from Lagos, Port Harcourt and other coastal gateways often have to travel long distances before completing port-related clearance and documentation.
That movement can add cost, time and uncertainty to the export process.
Under the new arrangement described by the NPA, inland exporters will be able to access port-related services closer to where their businesses are located.
For exporters in Abuja and other parts of northern and central Nigeria, the significance could be considerable.
Instead of moving raw commodities all the way to coastal ports before completing necessary procedures, businesses could increasingly complete elements of clearance and documentation inland before their cargo proceeds to the seaport.
The change is designed to make export logistics more predictable.
Predictability matters because international buyers operate according to delivery schedules, production cycles and contractual commitments.
A farmer, processor or manufacturer may have a product ready for shipment, but if documentation, certification or port processing takes longer than expected, the exporter can face additional transportation costs, storage expenses, missed shipping windows and potential damage to commercial relationships.
The NPA believes bringing port services closer to exporters can help address some of those problems.
Export Processing Terminals
Another part of the reform involves dedicated Export Processing Terminals.
According to the NPA, these facilities are designed as one-stop centres where several stages of export preparation can be completed before cargo is moved to the port terminal.
The processes can include sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation.
That approach is important because export cargo often passes through several administrative and logistical stages before it reaches a vessel.
When those stages are dispersed among different locations and agencies, delays can accumulate.
A dedicated processing environment can potentially reduce the number of separate movements required before cargo reaches the seaport.
For exporters of agricultural commodities, the importance of this system is particularly clear.
Products such as cocoa, sesame, cashew nuts and hibiscus must meet quality and documentation requirements in order to compete effectively in international markets.
Solid minerals face similar logistical and regulatory requirements.
The more efficiently these processes can be handled, the easier it becomes for businesses to move from production to export.
The NPA says the export processing interventions are already supporting increased activity in agricultural commodities and solid minerals.
The authority has also linked the reforms to the broader goal of increasing foreign-exchange inflows.
Why Non-Oil Exports Matter
Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil has shaped its foreign-exchange earnings and government finances for decades.
Although petroleum remains a major component of the economy, fluctuations in international oil prices, production levels and global energy conditions have repeatedly demonstrated the risks of depending too heavily on one dominant export source.
A stronger non-oil export sector offers a way to diversify foreign-exchange earnings.
Agriculture, manufacturing, processed foods, solid minerals and other tradable sectors can provide additional sources of international revenue if the infrastructure exists to move their products efficiently into global markets.
But diversification cannot be achieved simply by telling businesses to export.
Companies need roads, rail, ports, warehouses, reliable power, finance, standards certification, customs efficiency and access to international markets.
They also need a regulatory environment in which the cost of moving goods does not erase their competitive advantage.
That is why the NPA’s focus on logistics is strategically important.
A country can have abundant agricultural resources and still remain a relatively small exporter if the cost and complexity of moving products to international customers are too high.
The same applies to manufactured goods.
If a Nigerian manufacturer faces significantly higher logistics costs than a competitor in another country, the Nigerian company may struggle to win contracts even when its production costs are competitive.
The port system therefore becomes part of the industrial policy of the country.
Recent Growth in Port Activity
The NPA’s current export push comes against a backdrop of rising activity across Nigerian ports.
The authority’s 2025 operational performance data showed that total cargo throughput increased substantially during the year.
NPA data released earlier in 2026 indicated that total cargo throughput rose from about 103.6 million metric tonnes in 2024 to more than 129.3 million metric tonnes in 2025, representing an increase of 24.8 per cent.
Exports accounted for a significant share of that activity, while container traffic also recorded strong growth.
The performance was accompanied by increasing activity at newer facilities, particularly Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The port has become an important part of Nigeria’s changing maritime landscape because of its modern infrastructure, deeper draft and ability to handle large vessels.
The NPA has also reported further growth during 2026.
In the second quarter of 2026, Nigerian seaports handled approximately 35.7 million metric tonnes of cargo, compared with 31.8 million tonnes during the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 12.3 per cent increase.
Outward cargo recorded particularly strong growth during the period, indicating increased movement of goods out of the country.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, citing NPA performance data, reported that outward cargo increased by about 22 per cent in the second quarter.
The figures suggest that the maritime system is already experiencing higher trade activity.
The challenge now is ensuring that the growth is translated into broader participation by Nigerian exporters.
From Port Growth to Export Competitiveness
Higher cargo volumes do not automatically mean that Nigerian businesses are becoming globally competitive.
A port can handle more cargo while individual exporters still face significant barriers.
The question is whether infrastructure improvements are reducing the total cost and time required to move Nigerian goods from farms and factories to international customers.
That is the test facing the latest NPA measures.
For a cocoa processor in the South-West, a sesame trader in the North, a cashew processor in the North-Central region or a solid-mineral operator outside the major commercial centres, the export chain begins far away from the coastline.
The product must first move from the production location to a collection or processing facility.
It may then require quality inspection, packaging, certification and documentation.
After that, the cargo must travel to an inland logistics point or seaport.
Every additional stage creates potential costs and delays.
The development of inland dry ports and export processing terminals is intended to reduce some of those inefficiencies.
If implemented effectively, the model could allow exporters to perform more of their formalities closer to production centres.
The cargo could then move to the seaport in a more organised and documented form.
That could reduce congestion at coastal facilities because some activities would already have been completed before the cargo arrives.
It could also make planning easier for shipping lines, terminal operators, customs authorities and exporters.
Agriculture and the Export Opportunity
Agriculture is one of the sectors that stands to gain from a more efficient export logistics system.
Nigeria produces a wide range of commodities with international demand, including cocoa, cashew, sesame, hibiscus and other agricultural products.
But agricultural exports face particular logistical challenges.
Products can be perishable or vulnerable to deterioration.
Quality can be affected by poor storage, packaging or transportation.
International buyers may also require strict standards and traceability.
An efficient export-processing system can therefore play a role in preserving the value of agricultural commodities from the point of production to the international market.
The NPA’s identification of cocoa, sesame, cashew and hibiscus is significant because these commodities already form part of Nigeria’s established non-oil export base.
The challenge is moving from exporting mostly raw commodities to increasing the proportion of processed and higher-value products.
That is where ports, industrial policy and manufacturing intersect.
If cocoa is processed into cocoa butter, powder or other products in Nigeria before export, more value can potentially be retained within the domestic economy.
The same principle applies to cashew processing, sesame-based products and other agricultural commodities.
Efficient logistics alone cannot create those industries, but poor logistics can make them less competitive.
Solid Minerals and New Export Possibilities
The NPA also pointed to solid minerals as an area where improved export logistics could support growth.
Nigeria has deposits of various minerals across different parts of the country.
However, mineral production and export activity face their own challenges, including infrastructure, formalisation, security, processing capacity and access to international buyers.
For legitimate mining operators, the ability to move processed minerals through recognised export channels is an important part of building a transparent and commercially viable sector.
Dedicated export infrastructure can also help improve traceability and documentation.
That matters for international buyers who increasingly require assurance that minerals have been properly sourced and documented.
The wider objective is to connect producers to global value chains rather than leaving them dependent on informal or fragmented trading arrangements.
The Inland Dry Port Advantage
The inland dry port model could become particularly important if it is properly integrated with seaports.
The basic principle is straightforward: port services should not be restricted to the waterfront.
A modern trade system connects seaports with inland production and distribution centres through coordinated road, rail and digital networks.
In such a system, cargo can be processed inland and then moved efficiently to the seaport for shipment.
This approach is common in major trading economies where inland logistics centres serve as extensions of maritime gateways.
For Nigeria, the potential benefit is the creation of a more geographically inclusive trade system.
Businesses in the hinterland should not have to relocate simply because they are far from a coastal port.
Instead, the logistics network should bring international market access closer to them.
The NPA’s latest announcement suggests that this principle is increasingly becoming part of Nigeria’s maritime strategy.
The Role of Digital Trade Systems
Physical infrastructure is only one part of the equation.
The NPA has also been involved in wider efforts to digitise trade processes.
The National Single Window initiative is designed to allow traders to submit and manage trade-related documentation through a more integrated digital environment rather than dealing separately with multiple agencies.
The concept is particularly relevant to export reform.
Even if roads, terminals and ports are efficient, exporters can still face delays if documentation is fragmented.
Digital systems can reduce duplication, improve information sharing and provide greater visibility across the supply chain.
The NPA has previously said that it has been aligning its systems with the National Single Window architecture.
The broader maritime reform agenda also includes the Port Community System and other digital initiatives intended to improve coordination among agencies, shipping companies, terminal operators and other stakeholders.
If these systems work together effectively, the physical movement of cargo can be matched by faster movement of information.
That is increasingly important in international trade.
The Cost of Delays
For businesses, the economic significance of port reforms can often be measured in costs.
Delays can result in demurrage, storage charges, additional trucking expenses and missed shipping schedules.
For manufacturers that depend on imported inputs, port delays can interrupt production.
For exporters, delays can cause products to miss contractual delivery windows.
For agricultural businesses, delays can have an even more direct effect on product quality.
Reducing those costs can therefore improve competitiveness without necessarily requiring businesses to reduce wages or production expenses.
This is one reason port reform is relevant to the wider economy.
Efficient trade infrastructure reduces friction between producers and markets.
It can help businesses expand beyond local demand.
It can also make the country more attractive to investors considering manufacturing and processing projects.
Nigeria’s Regional Trade Ambition
The reforms are also taking place in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
AfCFTA is designed to increase trade among African countries and gradually reduce barriers to the movement of goods and services across the continent.
Nigeria’s size gives its businesses a potentially important position in that market.
But taking advantage of the opportunity requires competitive logistics.
A Nigerian company that wants to export processed foods, manufactured products or agricultural goods to another African country must be able to move those goods at a cost that makes commercial sense.
Ports are therefore part of the infrastructure required to translate continental trade agreements into actual business activity.
Nigeria’s coastal position, large domestic market and developing port infrastructure give it the potential to become a major regional trade hub.
The challenge is ensuring that the rest of the logistics chain can match that potential.
Businesses Are Watching the Reforms
The private sector will ultimately judge the reforms by their impact on the cost, speed and predictability of trade.
Announcements about new infrastructure are important, but businesses need measurable results.
They want to know how long it takes to clear cargo.
They want to know whether documentation can be completed without repeated physical visits to government offices.
They want reliable transport connections between inland production centres and ports.
They want predictable fees.
They want fewer delays and clearer procedures.
For exporters, the central question is whether the reforms can make Nigerian goods more competitive in foreign markets.
The NPA has urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure.
That invitation will become more meaningful if the new systems deliver consistently.
What Happens Next
The immediate task for the NPA is implementation.
The authority will have to coordinate with customs, standards agencies, terminal operators, logistics providers, state governments, exporters and other stakeholders.
The transfer of inland dry port functions will also require effective operational coordination.
Businesses need clarity about procedures, responsibilities, charges and timelines.
The dedicated Export Processing Terminals will need to operate efficiently enough to justify their use.
Transport links between the inland facilities and coastal ports will also be crucial.
If road congestion or unreliable connections simply shifts the bottleneck from one location to another, the overall benefit will be limited.
The reforms will therefore need to be evaluated across the entire supply chain rather than at individual facilities.
The Bigger Economic Picture
Nigeria’s economic diversification challenge is ultimately a production challenge as much as it is a financing or fiscal challenge.
The country needs businesses that produce goods and services that can compete beyond the domestic market.
That requires investment, technology, skills, infrastructure and access to finance.
But it also requires efficient trade systems.
A manufacturer cannot build a successful export business if the cost of moving finished products abroad is prohibitive.
An agricultural processor cannot reliably serve international customers if its shipments are repeatedly delayed.
A mining company cannot build a stable export market if documentation and logistics remain unpredictable.
The NPA’s current focus therefore has implications well beyond the maritime sector.
If the reforms succeed, exporters could gain easier access to international markets, foreign buyers could gain greater confidence in Nigerian suppliers, and the country could increase the amount of foreign currency generated from non-oil activities.
That would support the broader objective of creating a more diversified economy.
A Test of Execution
Nigeria has announced numerous trade and infrastructure reforms over the years.
The difference this time will depend heavily on execution.
The NPA has already reported improvements in cargo throughput, vessel activity and export movement.
Those developments provide evidence that the maritime sector is experiencing a period of increased activity.
But the next stage is more demanding.
The country must ensure that the gains are distributed across a wider business base and that smaller exporters are not excluded by high costs or complex procedures.
A large multinational company may have the resources to navigate complicated logistics systems.
A small agricultural processor may not.
For the export strategy to have a broad economic impact, the infrastructure must work for both.
That is why inland dry ports and export processing terminals could become particularly important.
They have the potential to connect smaller producers and processors to the formal export economy.
The Road Ahead for Nigerian Exports
The NPA’s latest announcement signals a recognition that Nigeria’s export challenge is not simply about production.
It is also about connectivity.
The country must connect farmers to processors, processors to logistics providers, logistics providers to ports and ports to international markets.
Each connection must function efficiently if the entire chain is to remain competitive.
The current push to reduce export bottlenecks, extend maritime logistics into the hinterland and improve cargo processing is therefore part of a much larger economic transformation.
If successfully implemented, the reforms could help Nigeria move from an economy where export discussions are dominated by crude oil toward one in which agricultural products, manufactured goods, processed commodities and solid minerals contribute a larger share of international earnings.
The opportunity is substantial, but so is the implementation challenge.
For Nigerian businesses, the measure of success will not ultimately be the number of reform announcements.
It will be whether a product made in Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Ekiti, Oyo, Enugu, Rivers, Lagos or any other part of the country can reach a customer in another country more quickly, more reliably and at a competitive cost.
That is the practical test facing the Nigerian Ports Authority as it expands the export reform programme.
And as Nigeria seeks stronger foreign-exchange earnings and a broader economic base, making that journey from production to global market easier could become one of the most consequential pieces of the country’s trade strategy.
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