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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing strategic partnerships in the maritime sector, assuring DP World, owners and operators of the Port of Dubai, of the government’s readiness to collaborate and facilitate investments in port infrastructure development and management. Speaking over the weekend while receiving a high-level delegation from DP World, Oyetola emphasised the administration’s openness to foreign investments that would strengthen Nigeria’s port system. He assured the delegation that the Ministry stands prepared to provide the necessary framework and support to interested investors willing to enhance port operations and logistics in the country.
Welcoming the company’s proposal to establish an industrial park to complement the ports and serve as a logistics hub for export processing, the Minister highlighted Nigeria’s vast potential for such developments. “We have an extensive coastline and an abundance of land suitable for the development of industrial parks,” he stated. He encouraged the delegation to submit a formal proposal to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for consideration.
Oyetola further underscored the government’s commitment to deepening private sector participation in the port industry, assuring potential investors of the viability and profitability of port operations in Nigeria. “The rate of return on such investments is guaranteed,” he said, reinforcing the attractiveness of the sector for global players.
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Beyond investment opportunities, the Minister outlined key modernization initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading transshipment hub. He disclosed that efforts are underway to increase the draught level of the country’s ports to between 16 and 16.5 meters, enhancing their capacity to accommodate larger vessels. Additionally, the government is advancing the full digitization and automation of port processes to minimize human and physical interactions, thereby improving efficiency. These initiatives, Oyetola noted, include the implementation of the Cargo Tracking System, the Port Community System, and the National Single Window—designed to accelerate operations and significantly reduce turnaround time at the ports.
Speaking on behalf of DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin-Sulayem, the delegation’s leader, expressed enthusiasm for potential collaboration with Nigeria’s maritime sector. He revealed that DP World operates in 48 countries, managing over 90 terminals globally, with a strong presence across Africa. Highlighting the company’s expertise in operating some of the world’s most efficient ports, he affirmed DP World’s interest in deploying its vast experience and cutting-edge solutions to enhance Nigeria’s port systems.
With this engagement, the Nigerian government and DP World have opened a new chapter in discussions on port infrastructure development, investment opportunities, and efficiency-driven reforms—laying the groundwork for a future of enhanced maritime operations and economic growth.
