NPA Honoured for Transparency as Audit Benchmark in 2025 Fiscal Governance Awards
In a resounding endorsement of public sector accountability, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been awarded the 2025 National Assembly Public Accounts Committees (PAC) Transparency Award — a prestigious recognition that affirms the agency’s position as a frontrunner in fiscal discipline, audit compliance, and governance reform within Nigeria’s maritime and port sector.
The award was conferred during the closing ceremony of the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance, jointly organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Public Accounts Committees in Abuja. Themed “Fiscal Governance in Nigeria: Charting a New Course for Transparency and Sustainable Development,” the three-day conference convened top public finance experts, lawmakers, and institutional heads to dissect Nigeria’s fiscal performance and accountability frameworks.
Why the NPA Stands Out
Chairman of the House Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP–Osun), lauded the NPA’s exceptional track record in timely financial reporting, compliance with audit queries, and institutional transparency.
“The Nigerian Ports Authority has shown unwavering dedication to public accountability,” said Salam. “Their books are clean, their responses prompt, and their support for oversight processes is commendable. They are clearly walking the talk.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sen. Ahmed Wadada (SDP–Nasarawa), Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, described the award as “a symbol of institutional integrity,” adding that the NPA’s transparency drive has now become a benchmark in Nigeria’s public sector governance.
Fiscal Discipline at the Heart of Port Reform
Receiving the award on behalf of the agency, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the NPA, reiterated the authority’s commitment to embedding fiscal responsibility and operational transparency at the core of its strategic transformation. Dr. Dantsoho, represented by Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Ms. Vivian Edet, said the NPA’s fiscal discipline was aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises institutional efficiency and global best practices.
“This recognition inspires us to deepen the reforms we’ve begun,” said Edet. “We are committed to entrenching openness, driving automation, and ensuring that every kobo generated and spent is accountable to the Nigerian people.”
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: Why This Matters for Maritime and Blue Economy Stakeholders
The NPA is a strategic anchor in Nigeria’s economy — managing port operations that handle over 85% of the country’s international trade by volume. With rising investor focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, public agencies like NPA embracing transparency enhances Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime hub.
This award does more than boost institutional credibility — it signals to foreign investors, development partners, and private concessionaires that Nigeria’s maritime administration is reforming in real time, and can be trusted with capital, partnerships, and innovation.
Moreover, in an industry where opacity and rent-seeking have traditionally slowed port efficiency, NPA’s recognition may further catalyse the much-needed port modernization efforts, digital port community systems, and decarbonisation pathways for sustainable blue economy development.
Bottom Line
With this award, the Nigerian Ports Authority is not just checking a box — it is setting the gold standard for public accountability in Nigeria’s maritime sector. For stakeholders in trade, shipping, logistics, and port concessions, this signals a more predictable, transparent, and efficient operational environment.
The message from the National Assembly is clear: integrity in public finance is no longer optional — it is the currency of credibility.
