General News
Dantsoho: Reforms, Oyetola’s Impact Responsible for Maritime Sector’s Recent Transformation **Says Nigeria can dominate Africa’s blue economy
Jonas Ezieke
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer CEO of the Nigeria Ports Authority NPA Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has attributed the transformation of the nation’s maritime sector to the impact of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola and the federal government reforms.
This was as Dantsoho has assured investors that Nigeria has the capacity to dominate Africa’s blue economy, citing ongoing federal government reforms and increased private sector participation as critical drivers of transformation in the maritime sector.
Dantsoho gave the assurance while speaking at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja, where he stressed that Nigeria’s port system would play a pivotal role in unlocking strategic investments and accelerating economic growth.
He noted that the country must urgently refocus its economic priorities toward fully harnessing its vast marine resources in line with global sustainability goals.
“The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources. Our port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth,” Dantsoho said.
The NPA boss explained that Nigeria’s strategic location, large population and economic strength position it to become a maritime hub for West Africa, comparable to global leaders such as Singapore and Morocco.
“By virtue of our strategic location, market size and economic strength, Nigeria is well-positioned to function as the maritime hub for West Africa,” he added.
Despite these advantages, Dantsoho expressed concern that Nigeria currently handles only about 25 per cent of cargo traffic in the region, even though it accounts for over 60 per cent of West Africa’s GDP.
“It is worrisome that Nigeria, despite controlling over 60 per cent of West Africa’s GDP, handles only about 25 per cent of the region’s cargo traffic. This clearly shows that we have not fully optimised our potential,” he said.
He, however, assured investors that the tide is turning, as the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is implementing far-reaching reforms to reposition the sector.
According to him, key initiatives include port modernisation, deployment of a Trade Single Window, implementation of a Port Community System, development of deep seaports and full digitalisation of port operations.
“We are implementing key strategic initiatives such as port modernisation, trade single window, port community system, deep seaport development and full digitalisation to reposition our ports for global competitiveness,” he stated.
Dantsoho emphasised that private sector funding remains central to achieving these goals, noting that the NPA is actively encouraging project financing to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve efficiency.
“We are open to private sector participation through project financing. This approach is already improving efficiency and providing access to funding for critical infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the reforms are designed to enhance port efficiency, improve connectivity, reduce freight costs and boost non-oil exports, ultimately driving revenue growth.
“The ultimate goal is to improve liner connectivity, attract bigger vessels, reduce freight costs, and expand our export base, which will significantly boost revenue generation,” he noted.
Dantsoho stressed that competitiveness in the global maritime industry requires efficient operations, competitive pricing and strong hinterland connectivity, adding that Nigerian ports must remain adaptive to evolving global shipping trends.
“With sustained commitment to these initiatives, Nigeria’s port system will enter a new phase and emerge as a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa,” he assured.
Also speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, said Nigeria’s natural endowments, including its 823-kilometre coastline and extensive inland waterways, place it in a strong position to lead the sector.
“With over 823 kilometres of coastline, extensive inland waterways and a prime location along the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to harness the immense potential of the marine and blue economy,” Oyetola said.
He added that reforms by the federal government have improved coordination, strengthened maritime security and boosted investor confidence, noting that the sector accounts for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s international trade by volume.
General News
Kiloshele lauds NANS Leadership Under Babatunde For peaceful protest for release of Abducted Students, Teachers of Oyo State
By David Owei
A forefront NAUS Presidential Aspirant, Comr. David Aladesanmi popularly referred as Mr. Kiloshele, has lauded the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), *Akinteye Babatunde Afeez GCNS*, for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students.
He particularly commended the *NANS President* for peacefully mobilizing and coordinating efforts towards the abducted students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area. According to Mr. Kiloshele, the mature and responsible approach adopted by the student body under Akinteye’s leadership demonstrates the power of unity, dialogue, and constructive engagement in addressing national challenges.
Mr. Kiloshele further praised NANS for its consistent advocacy for student safety and security across educational institutions nationwide. He emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including government agencies and security operatives, to strengthen security measures in schools to safeguard students, teachers, and learning environments.
He called for sustained collaboration between student leaders, educational authorities, and security agencies to ensure that schools remain safe havens for learning and development, while applauding NANS, NAUS & sister bodies for standing firmly in defense of Nigerian students.
“Leadership is best measured by service, courage, and results. He conclusively, called upon media agencies to give this movement a worldwide publication as days is given to return our students, teachers back to thier schools and make Nigeria safe & safer for our education.
General News
Nigeria’s milk self-sufficiency will be won at states, LGs, not in Abuja -Expert
By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi
Nigeria’s journey to dairy self-sufficiency must shift from federal policy documents to deliberate action by states and local governments, a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, PLRIC, and Acting Director of the TETFUND Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development, ATBU Bauchi, Prof. Demo Kalla has said.
Kalla spoke during a panel session on “Mainstreaming Dairy Development Policy at the Sub-national Level for Self-sufficiency: Opportunities, Challenges and Way Forward” as part of activities to mark the 2026 World Milk Day.
The session was moderated by a Radio Nigeria presenter Rita Ene Okwanihe while other panelists included Mr Snorri Sigurdsson, Head of Raw Milk Production, Arla Foods Nigeria; Dr Ishaq Bello, Special Adviser to the Minister of Livestock Development; Mr Brighton Ochieng, Chief Technical Officer, Promasidor Nigeria; and Hon. Adamu Mammagi Abdullahi, Commissioner for Livestock Development, Niger State.
Setting the context, Kalla said mainstreaming dairy development at the sub-national level means making dairy a deliberate part of state and local government planning, budgeting, investment promotion and rural economic strategy.
“In practical terms, it means moving dairy development from being viewed as a federal livestock initiative to becoming a priority economic sector owned and driven by states and local governments,” he stated.
He described it as “the missing link between Nigeria’s enormous livestock potential and the realization of dairy self-sufficiency.”
“Given that milk is produced in communities, not in policy documents, the success of Nigeria’s dairy transformation agenda will ultimately depend on actions taken at the state and local levels,” Kalla added.
He urged states and local government areas to domesticate the National Dairy Policy and create frameworks to attract investors, while promoting milk as a “super food for nutritional security.”
On the role of academia, Kalla said universities, research institutions and extension services are “the backbone of sustainable dairy development” because they generate knowledge, adapt technologies and build human capacity.
“Our mandate is to solve immediate local problems at the sub-national level. They must become active partners in the dairy transformation agenda by supporting state governments, dairy cooperatives, processors, and producers with evidence-based solutions,” he said.
He listed three immediate priorities: demand-driven research, technology transfer through demonstration farms and digital platforms, and capacity building and skills development.
“The dairy industry we desire will not emerge from investments in infrastructure alone. It will be built on knowledge, innovation, skills, and partnerships,” Kalla stressed.
Announcing a practical step, the expert said the Dairy Research and Development Centre, DRDC, stands ready to serve as a national platform for dairy science research, capacity building, innovation and knowledge sharing.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s path to milk self-sufficiency, improved nutrition and rural prosperity.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said dairy development is a strategic economic enterprise that can create jobs, improve nutrition and reduce Nigeria’s import dependence.
Jega, who is also Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, PLRIC, said
this year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation,” stressing that it recognizes the pivotal role women play in milk production, processing, marketing and value addition across Nigeria.
He noted that the United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, IYWF 2026, underscoring women’s contributions to food security and economic growth.
“For Nigeria’s dairy sector, it reinforces the imperative of empowering women dairy farmers through improved access to productive assets, finance, technology, skills development, markets, and leadership opportunities,” he said.
The presidential adviser added that under President Bola Tinubu, the ongoing livestock reforms have placed dairy development at the heart of efforts to transform the livestock economy.
According to him, promoting fresh milk consumption is both a public health and economic imperative, saying “every litre of locally produced and consumed milk strengthens domestic value chains, creates opportunities for farmers and processors, improves household incomes, and contributes to national food and nutrition security.”
He said PLRIC remains committed to sustainable dairy development through policy reforms, investment promotion, breed improvement, pasture development, One Health, infrastructure expansion and stronger public-private partnerships.
Jega called on state governments, development partners, financial institutions, processors and investors to collaborate in mainstreaming dairy development at the sub-national level.
He concluded that a competitive dairy subsector will create wealth, employment and deliver nutritious fresh milk for a healthier and prosperous Nigeria.
General News
Tinubu commissions Jahi CNG Station as Rolling Energy leads clean fuel drive
By Olugbenga Salami
President Bola Tinubu has commissioned a state-of-the-art Compressed Natural Gas Daughter Booster Station in Jahi, Abuja, in a fresh push to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on costly petroleum products and unlock the value of its gas reserves.
Tinubu, who was by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the facility as a centrepiece of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the agenda places domestic gas utilisation at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial and economic future.
Nigeria holds about 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. Yet for decades, much of the resource has been exported while Nigerians grapple with expensive and polluting fossil fuels.
The Tinubu administration is now moving to reverse that trend. The Jahi commissioning is one of four gas infrastructure projects unveiled simultaneously nationwide.
Similar facilities were launched by Ibile Oil and Gas and Portland Energy in Lagos and Owerri respectively.
“This facility marks another important milestone in our collective drive to deepen gas utilisation, expand access to cleaner energy solutions, and strengthen Nigeria’s gas value chain,” Ekpo declared at the event.
At the forefront of the transformation is Rolling Energy Limited, the private firm behind the Jahi station which developed the project in partnership with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, MDGIF.
Chairman of Rolling Energy, Mubarak Umar Dambata, said the company’s footprint extends beyond Abuja.
He disclosed that Rolling Energy is rolling out CNG mother stations, daughter stations and Liquefied Natural Gas facilities in Kaduna, Kano and Borno states.
The firm has also partnered with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles to convert over 8,000 vehicles to gas-powered systems.
The initiative is designed to translate policy into direct savings for commuters, tricycle operators and businesses.
The Jahi facility has a sales capacity of 1,000 Standard Cubic Metres, SCM, per hour.
It features two CNG tube skids with a combined storage capacity of 17,000 SCM.
The station also houses a Mass Conversion Centre that can convert up to 20 vehicles and 25 tricycles daily.
Since commercial operations began, it has been serving 350–400 vehicles per day.
Projected capacity is to serve more than 1,000 CNG vehicles and 100 trucks daily across the FCT and surrounding regions.
Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Ismahil Ahmed, said the removal of fuel subsidies created urgency for alternative energy.
“CNG offers a cleaner and more economically viable option,” Ahmed argued. He urged investors to move quickly into a market where demand for gas infrastructure is rising.
Presidential Adviser Sunday Dare said the administration has commissioned 25 projects nationwide to mark its third anniversary, with clean energy and gas infrastructure featuring prominently.
With regulatory backing from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and financial support from MDGIF, officials say the foundation for a CNG-powered Nigeria is now in place.
For truck drivers, tricycle operators and factory owners, the promise is lower costs, cleaner air and greater energy reliability.
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