By Sandra Chukwunyere
NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, human capital development is crucial for creating and sustaining superior performance in the organization.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is taking significant steps to develop its human capital and improve the maritime sector’s overall performance. According to the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, human capital development is crucial for creating and sustaining superior performance in the organization.
Dr. Dantsoho emphasized that talent development constitutes a critical success factor for achieving the NPA’s ambitious goals, particularly in enhancing port competitiveness. He noted that the only way to meet and exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of human resources assets and boost their morale.
The NPA MD’s emphasis on human capital development comes on the heels of a major breakthrough in addressing employee stagnation in the organization. Over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion had fueled industrial disharmony, but the Dantsoho-led management team, with the approval of Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, conducted examinations and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly.

The maritime labor unions, including the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC), have praised Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership and the NPA’s efforts to address employee stagnation. The unions appreciated the clearance of backlog promotions, increased productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages, and revision of the Financial Guide to address inflationary pressures.
The President of SSASGOC, Comrade Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labor unions, expressed gratitude to the NPA MD and Minister Oyetola for their support. He noted that the unions’ concerns about inflationary pressures have been addressed through the revision of the Financial Guide.
Dr. Dantsoho assured that the NPA’s port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand in hand with continuous staff welfare improvement. This commitment to staff welfare is expected to boost employee morale and productivity, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the maritime sector.
The NPA’s efforts to modernize its ports and improve staff welfare are part of a broader strategy to enhance port competitiveness and achieve sustainable development. Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership has been instrumental in driving this vision, and the organization’s stakeholders are optimistic about the future of the maritime sector.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, has been commended for approving the strategic proposal that addressed the decade-long problem of employee stagnation. His support has been crucial in enabling the NPA to implement reforms and improve staff welfare.
The NPA’s commitment to human capital development and staff welfare is expected to have a positive impact on the maritime sector’s overall performance. As the organization continues to modernize its ports and improve staff welfare, stakeholders can expect to see significant improvements in productivity and competitiveness.
The maritime sector is poised to see a new era of development, driven by the NPA’s efforts to enhance port competitiveness and improve staff welfare. With Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership and the support of Minister Oyetola, the organization is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals and contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.
According to a statement issued by the NPA General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, “The Nigerian Ports Authority remains committed to developing its human capital and improving staff welfare, and we are confident that these efforts will have a positive impact on the maritime sector’s overall performance.”