President Tinubu Honours Dantsoho with National Award for Maritime Infrastructure Modernization

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the prestigious Award of Excellence in Maritime Infrastructure Modernization & Global Competitiveness on the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, at the 2025 edition of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service held on Sunday, 7th December , 2025 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The award, a flagship presidential recognition initiative coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, celebrates public servants whose outstanding performance has significantly advanced national development goals.

Dr. Dantsoho’s honour comes on the strength of his transformative leadership in Nigeria’s maritime sector particularly his contributions to modernizing port infrastructure, boosting trade competitiveness, and deepening operational efficiencies across the nation’s seaports.

Under his stewardship, the NPA recorded unprecedented growth in exports, contributing to Nigeria’s attainment of a national trade surplus. He is also credited with accelerating the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) through the Port Community System (PCS), a reform that has attracted heightened global investor interest in Nigeria’s port modernization drive.

Dantsoho’s tenure has further elevated Nigeria’s profile in the international maritime community, with the country securing the Presidency of the Port Management Association of West Africa (PMAWCA) and the Vice-Presidency of the International Association for Ports & Harbours (IAPH). The NPA also played a pivotal role under the guidance of the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola in facilitating Nigeria’s re -enlistment into the highly influential Category C of the International Maritime Organization.