The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has revealed plans by the Federal Government to replicate the achievements of the Lekki Deep Seaport across Nigeria’s maritime sector, describing the port as a benchmark for transformative development.
Speaking during the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping’s Breakfast Meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday, Oyetola reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to creating a modern, safe, and globally competitive maritime industry. The meeting was themed “Unlocking Opportunities: The Lekki Deep Seaport Playbook for Trade and Shipping in Nigeria.”
According to the Minister, the Lekki Deep Seaport serves as a model of the administration’s strategic focus on leveraging public-private partnerships and improving logistics across the country.
“The maritime industry stands at the heart of our economic aspirations — not merely as a conduit for trade, but as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and regional integration. Our vision is clear: to build a modern, safe, efficient, and globally competitive maritime sector that fully unlocks Nigeria’s economic potential. Achieving this vision will require more than sound policies; it demands sustained investment in infrastructure, targeted capacity building, accelerated digital transformation, and strong, enduring partnerships with the private sector,” the minister said.
Valued at $1.5 billion, the Lekki Deep Seaport has been hailed as a “landmark achievement” and “game-changer” for West Africa. Oyetola stated that the facility has the capacity to process 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually and accommodate large vessels. He noted that the project has already created thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly.
He praised the completion of major access roads, which have significantly eased congestion and logistical delays at Nigerian ports.
“Cargo now moves out faster, investors move in with confidence, and trade flows without unnecessary delay,” he stated.
Despite currently operating at only 20 percent capacity, Oyetola pointed out that the Lekki port offers enormous untapped investment opportunities. He further outlined the “Lekki playbook” based on five pillars: strategic location, a strong public-private partnership model, integrated transport links via road, rail, and inland waterways, supportive government policies, and technology-driven operations.
To scale this success, Oyetola announced that the ministry is currently modernising the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos and upgrading the Eastern Ports in Onne, Calabar, and Rivers State.
He said: *“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, this administration is committed to taking the lessons of Lekki and applying them nationwide to transform our entire port system into a network of modern, efficient, and competitive
