The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and ease the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval, describing it as an extension of the government’s earlier plan to modernise and upgrade the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
Oyetola said expanding the modernisation programme to ports outside Lagos would help create a more balanced, efficient and competitive national port system.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola, the minister said the latest approval was an important step towards transforming Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlocking the economic potential of its ports.
He said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition the maritime sector as a driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Oyetola, upgrading the four ports would provide additional gateways for international trade and reduce the pressure on Lagos ports.
He said improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would enhance cargo handling, shorten vessel turnaround times, improve regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
“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.
More deep seaports planned
The latest approval comes alongside government plans for the development of additional deep seaports across the country.
The projects approved for development include 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.
Oyetola said the simultaneous upgrade of existing ports and development of new deep seaports would significantly increase Nigeria’s maritime capacity while creating stronger economic corridors across different regions.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” he said.
He added that the projects would enable Nigeria to handle growing trade volumes, attract investment and strengthen its position as a maritime and logistics hub in Africa.
Government targets integrated logistics network
The minister said the government was also working towards an integrated maritime and logistics network in which ports would be linked more effectively with roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure.
He said the objective was to improve the movement of cargo across the country and reduce the time and cost involved in transporting goods.
“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 reaffirmed the ministry’s intention to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the planned projects deliver tangible improvements to Nigeria’s maritime 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,” he said.
