The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and establish a more balanced national port system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, in a statement signed by Dr Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy on Sunday, announced that the approval complements an earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
Oyetola said the latest approval was part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition the maritime sector as a major driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports,” the minister said.
According to him, modern and efficient ports are critical to infrastructure renewal and economic diversification because they facilitate trade, support industries, attract investment and create employment opportunities.
The minister said extending the modernisation programme to ports outside Lagos would complement investments in Apapa and Tin Can Island ports and help reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos.
He said the upgraded ports would provide additional gateways for international trade and strengthen the movement of goods across different regions of the country.
Oyetola said improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times and improve regional connectivity.
He added that the improvements would make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective for businesses.
“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.
The latest approval is part of a wider expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, including plans for the development of new deep seaports across different parts of the country.
The minister listed the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River State, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun State, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo State and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State among the projects approved by the Federal Government.
According to Oyetola, the simultaneous modernisation of existing ports and development of new deep seaports would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” he said.
“This will give Nigeria greater capacity to handle increasing volumes of trade, attract investment and position our country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa.”
Oyetola said the government’s long-term vision was to establish an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports, roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure would operate together to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo.
He said the objective was to reduce the time and resources Nigerian businesses spend moving goods while creating an environment capable of attracting investment and supporting employment.
“Our ambition is to build a port system that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive,” the minister said.
The minister also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to working with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the various projects translate into tangible improvements in the maritime sector.
He said Nigeria possessed the geographical advantage, market and maritime resources required to become a major maritime hub, adding that the government’s responsibility was to provide the necessary infrastructure, policies and enabling environment to convert those resources into sustainable economic value.
