𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐍𝐏𝐀 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has described the agency’s workforce as its most valuable resource, emphasising that beyond infrastructure and technology, it is the people who power the success and transformation of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Speaking during the maiden edition of the National Mentoring Day celebration held at the NPA headquarters in Lagos on Monday, Dantsoho underscored the organisation’s deep commitment to mentorship, professional development, and leadership cultivation across all cadres.

Represented by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Vivian Richard-Edet, the NPA boss noted that the event symbolised a significant step in institutionalising a culture of knowledge transfer and continuous learning within the Authority.

“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 stated.

He added that while the Authority continues to expand its investments in world-class port infrastructure and advanced technology, its greatest asset remains its dedicated personnel — men and women whose expertise and resilience sustain the nation’s maritime operations.

“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,” he said.

Dantsoho also lauded the young professionals serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the NPA, describing them as the next generation of innovators poised to redefine the maritime landscape and drive national economic growth.

“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 added.

National Mentoring Day, established in 2014 and globally inaugurated in London in 2016, is celebrated annually on October 27. It serves as a worldwide call to action for individuals and organisations to foster mentorship, ensuring equal opportunities for people to realise their full potential. The initiative aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, which seeks to reduce inequalities through inclusion and empowerment via mentorship.