Meet NPA’s new Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho

Here are what you need to know about him

On Friday, July 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Abubakar Dantsoho, as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Here are some key facts about the new MD.

Dantsoho, a seasoned maritime expert with over 25 years of experience, has a proven track record in maritime technology, international transport, and port management.

Born on March 26, 1969, in Jalingo, Taraba State, Dantsoho started his career as a Youth Corp member with the NPA in 1992.

After completing his Youth Service, he joined the Authority as Marketing Officer II and moved up the ladder to the position of Assistant General Manager in 2022.

Dantsoho worked as the Technical Assistant to the former NPA Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman and Port Manager, Onne Port.

He also served as Chief of Staff to former Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, from 2022 to May 29, 2023.

Dantsoho holds a Ph.D. in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and has undergone various training programs in port management, transport, and logistics.

He has also served as a member of various committees, including the NPA Tariff Simplification Committee and the Management Committee on Egina FPSO.

The new MD has received several awards, including the NPA 25 Years Long Service Merit Award and a letter of commendation for successfully berthing the EGINA FPSO Ship on Nigerian territorial waters.

Dantsoho is a member of various professional bodies, including the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, London, and the Chartered Institute of Transport, London.

He is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping and the Nigerian Institute of Management.

He has been involved in significant consultancy studies including a 25-year Ports Development Masterplan by Crown Agent, UK, and World Bank projects on port concession assessment and private sector participation in Lagos’ integrated transport system.

Dantsoho has represented Nigeria at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London in 2010 and attended the World Ports Conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) in Busan, South Korea in 2011.

With his vast experience and expertise, Abubakar Dantsoho is expected to bring a new era of growth and development to the Nigerian Ports Authority.