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…As pressure on Lagos worsens
By Steve Agbota
The federal government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of four major ports outside Lagos as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and reduce pressure on the country’s busiest ports.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Sunday, saying the approval covers the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports.
The move comes after the federal government approved the modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, bringing more of the country’s major existing ports into the government’s port renewal programme.
Oyetola said the latest approvals were aimed at creating a more balanced port system, improving the movement of goods and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub.
He added that the government recognised that modern ports were critical to lowering the cost of doing business, attracting investment and creating jobs.
According to him, upgrading ports outside Lagos would also help spread cargo traffic across the country instead of leaving Lagos to handle a disproportionate share of international trade.
The minister said improved facilities at the four ports would boost cargo handling, shorten the time ships spend at the ports and make the movement of goods more reliable.
“These ports have strategic roles to play in our trade, industrial and regional development, and we are determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy,” he said.
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The port upgrade programme is part of a broader plan by the Federal Government to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
Beyond the rehabilitation and modernisation of existing ports, the government has also approved the development of several deep seaports, including the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.
Oyetola said developing new deep seaports alongside upgrading existing ones would give Nigeria more capacity to handle rising cargo volumes and open up new economic corridors.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” he said.
He explained that the government’s long-term plan was to create a connected transport network where seaports work efficiently with roads, railways and inland waterways to move cargo across the country.
The minister said such an integrated system would reduce delays and transportation costs for businesses while making Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping and logistics companies.
“Our ambition is to build a port system that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive. We want Nigerian businesses to spend less time and resources moving their goods, while creating an environment that encourages investment and supports job creation,” Oyetola said.
He added that the ministry would work with state governments, port operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects produce measurable improvements in the maritime sector.
Oyetola said Nigeria had the market, location and maritime resources to become a major maritime hub in Africa, adding that the government’s responsibility was to provide the infrastructure and policies needed to turn the potential into economic value.
