The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said that the agency’s greatest strength lies not only in its infrastructure and technology but in its people, who continue to drive Nigeria’s maritime growth and global competitiveness.
Dantsoho made the remark on Monday during the maiden edition of the National Mentoring Day celebration held at the NPA headquarters in Lagos.
In a statement issued by the authority on Tuesday, Dantsoho said the event underscored the agency’s long-term commitment to developing young talent, fostering leadership, and ensuring knowledge transfer across all levels of the organisation.
Represented by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Vivian Richard-Edet, the NPA boss described mentoring as an essential component of institutional growth and sustainability.
“This occasion marks an important milestone in our commitment to nurturing future leaders, promoting knowledge transfer, and institutionalising a culture of continuous learning and professional development,” Dantsoho said.
He noted that while the NPA continues to invest heavily in world-class port infrastructure, digital systems, and smart technologies to enhance operational efficiency, the true drivers of transformation remain the men and women who work daily to make Nigeria’s maritime industry globally competitive.
“As an organisation at the heart of Nigeria’s maritime economy, we recognise that our true strength lies not only in infrastructure and technology but, more importantly, in our people,” Dantsoho stated.
He emphasised that the development of human capital remains central to the agency’s reform strategy, adding that the NPA has continued to prioritise employee training, professional development, and mentorship across its departments and port locations nationwide.
Dantsoho also commended young professionals serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the NPA, describing them as the next generation of innovators and administrators who will play key roles in shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.
“The young professionals serving here under the NYSC are not just temporary participants; you represent the next wave of innovators, administrators, and change agents who will shape the future of the maritime sector and, by extension, our national economy,” he said.
He encouraged them to embrace mentorship opportunities, seek continuous learning, and uphold professionalism and integrity as they prepare to take on leadership roles in the near future.
The National Mentoring Day celebration, which was first established in 2014 and launched in London in 2016, is held globally every October 27. It is aimed at encouraging individuals, organisations, and governments to promote mentorship as a tool for social and professional development.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10, which focuses on reducing inequality through inclusion, empowerment, and equal opportunity.
Industry observers noted that the NPA’s emphasis on human capital development complements ongoing federal efforts to modernise Nigeria’s seaports, improve trade facilitation, and boost logistics efficiency across the maritime value chain.
By celebrating National Mentoring Day, the NPA joins other global institutions in reinforcing the importance of mentorship as a pathway to institutional resilience and leadership renewal.
Employees who participated in the Lagos event expressed optimism that the mentoring initiative would enhance workplace productivity, staff motivation, and career growth within the organisation.
“It’s encouraging to see that the NPA is not just investing in technology but also in people. This initiative will go a long way in building the next generation of maritime professionals,” said Mr. Samuel Olowu, a junior officer at the Lagos Port Complex.
The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding mentorship programmes across all port operations, promoting inclusion, and supporting professional excellence in line with international maritime standards.
