The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and improve the efficiency of the country’s port system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola.
The latest approval follows an earlier government decision to modernise and upgrade the Apapa and Tincan Island ports in Lagos. The move, according to the minister, reflects the Federal Government’s plan to establish a more balanced, efficient and competitive port network across the country.
Oyetola said the expansion of the modernisation programme was consistent with the administration’s broader efforts to reposition the maritime sector as a major contributor to economic growth, trade, investment and employment under President Bola 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.
He added that President Tinubu had identified infrastructure renewal and economic diversification as key components of the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that efficient and competitive ports were essential to facilitating trade, supporting industries, attracting investments and generating employment.
According to Oyetola, extending the port modernisation initiative beyond Lagos would complement ongoing investments in Apapa and Tincan Island while helping to reduce the heavy concentration of cargo traffic in Lagos.
He said upgrading the four ports would provide additional efficient gateways for international trade and strengthen the movement of goods across different regions of the country.
Oyetola further explained that improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would enhance cargo-handling capacity, shorten vessel turnaround times and improve regional connectivity.
He added that the upgrades would also make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective for businesses and other users of the ports.
“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,” Oyetola said.
The minister said the simultaneous modernisation of existing ports and development of new deep seaports would substantially increase Nigeria’s maritime capacity while creating stronger economic corridors across the country.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports. 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 stressed.
He said the Federal Government was also working towards an integrated maritime and logistics network in which ports would be effectively connected to roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure.
According to him, such integration would support the seamless movement of cargo and reduce the time and cost associated with transporting goods across the country.
“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.
Oyetola reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the various maritime projects produce tangible improvements in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
“Nigeria has the geography, market and maritime resources to become a leading maritime hub. Our responsibility is to provide the infrastructure, policies and enabling environment to turn that potential into sustainable economic value. This is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is about,” Oyetola added.
The latest approval forms part of the Federal Government’s wider programme to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and increase the country’s capacity to handle international trade.
It comes alongside approvals for the development of new deep seaports, including 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.
