The management of Primetime Reporters, a publication of Chisann Communications, has named the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, as its Maritime Man of the Year 2026.
Dantsoho is expected to receive the award at the Primetime Reporters Annual Lecture and Awards scheduled for October 15, 2026, at Rockview Hotels, GRA, Apapa, Lagos.
The event, which begins at 10:00 a.m., is themed, “Smarter Gateways, Greener Logistics: Leveraging Port Community System and National Single Window for Zero Emission Trade.”
The Managing Director and Editor in Chief of Primetime Reporters, Mr Saint Augustine Nwadinamuo, said the honour was in recognition of Dantsoho’s contributions to the development and transformation of Nigeria’s maritime sector since assuming office as NPA Managing Director.
Nwadinamuo said the selection committee considered Dantsoho’s efforts towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction of ageing port infrastructure across the country.
He specifically cited ongoing projects at the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, as well as infrastructure upgrades at the Rivers, Warri, Onne and Calabar ports.
According to him, the interventions have contributed to improving the competitiveness and operational performance of Nigerian ports.
He also pointed to the recognition of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence Container Port Performance Index, where the two ports were listed among the world’s 20 most improved container ports over the five year period covered by the index.
Nwadinamuo said the committee also considered Dantsoho’s efforts in the digitalisation of port operations, improvement of efficiency, expansion of port capacity and promotion of non oil exports.
Other areas cited included regional maritime cooperation, traffic management around the ports, staff welfare and industrial harmony, revenue generation and the development of new port infrastructure.
He said the committee also recognised the NPA management’s efforts towards environmentally sustainable port operations and promotion of public private partnerships in the maritime sector.
Nwadinamuo added that Dantsoho’s support for the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, in Nigeria’s successful re election to Category C of the International Maritime Organisation Council was among the considerations for the award.
He said the recognition was intended to acknowledge Dantsoho’s achievements within a relatively short period in office and encourage him to sustain the pace of reforms and development in the sector.
The annual lecture and awards are expected to attract government officials, maritime regulators, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, logistics practitioners, academics, journalists and other industry stakeholders.
The programme will be chaired by a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Barrister Temisan Omatseye. Nwadinamuo also invited government agencies, professional associations, corporate organisations and maritime stakeholders to partner with Primetime Reporters through sponsorship, advertising and other support opportunities. Interested persons and organisations may contact the organisers on 07030661526 or via augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com