Abubakar Dantsoho joins the management team of the IAPH for a two-year term, becoming the second Nigerian to hold that position.
by Blue Africa News
Nigeria has secured representation at the International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH), cementing the West Africa nation’s growing influence in global maritime affairs.
With his election, held in Tokyo, Japan, Abubakar Dantsoho, is now Vice-President (Africa) of the International Association for Ports & Harbours. This is another milestone for the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Dantsoho previously made history as the first Nigerian to lead the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa.
“I am delighted to work together with you in IAPH for the years to come,” said IAPH Secretary-General Masahiko Furuichi after Dantsoho’s election, according to a statement by NPA.
He joins the management team of the IAPH for a two-year term, becoming the second Nigerian to hold that position after Hadiza Bala Usman in 2017.
NPA spokesperson Ikechukwu Onyemekara said Dantsoho’s election reflects international recognition of Nigeria’s renewed leadership in maritime development.
Dantsoho was appointed NPA Managing Director in July 2024. His appointing authority, President Bola Tinubu congratulated him on his new role, saying he believes that the election of the NPA Managing Director will boost Nigeria’s ambition to tap into the global marine and blue economy.
“The President encourages Dantsoho to continue his efforts to reposition the NPA, thereby contributing to Nigeria’s goal of expanding its economy to US$1 trillion by 2030,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President in a press statement.
At NPA, Dantsoho has been credited for major operational gains, including a significant rise in non-oil exports and an improved trade balance.
According to the Nigerian Export Processing Council (NEPC), non-oil exports rose by 19.59% in the first half of 2025 to US$3.225 billion, while export volumes on NPA platforms climbed to 4.04 million metric tonnes.
Headquartered in Tokyo, IAPH is a global alliance of more than 190 ports and 167 port-related businesses across 89 countries, with its members handling over 60% of the world’s seaborne trade and container traffic.
Working closely with the International Maritime Organization, World Customs Organization, and the United Nations system, the body plays a major role in shaping global maritime policy.
The global association will mark its 70th anniversary on October 7, 2025, in Kobe, Japan.
Nigeria’s global maritime influence has been rising steadily. In July, Nigerian Admiral Ayo Olugbode was appointed Vice-Chair of the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts (IC-ENC), marking the first time an African has held the position.
Olugbode is the CEO of Nigeria’s National Hydrographic Agency (NHA).
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News
