The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive rehabilitation and modernisation of four ports in the eastern region of Nigeria as part of measures to boost efficiency, facilitate trade and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s maritime sector.
The ports affected are Onne Port in Rivers State, Warri Port in Delta State, Calabar Port in Cross River State, and another port in the eastern region.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in Lagos in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola.
According to Oyetola, the approval builds on the Federal Government’s earlier plan to modernise the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos. He said the initiative was part of the administration’s broader efforts to reposition Nigeria’s maritime industry as a key contributor to economic growth, trade, investment, industrialisation and employment.
The minister explained that the port upgrade was also in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on infrastructure development and economic diversification.
Oyetola said expanding port modernisation to locations outside Lagos would provide more efficient alternatives for international cargo and help reduce pressure on the country’s busiest maritime gateways. He added that the installation of modern infrastructure and cargo-handling equipment would improve port capacity, shorten vessel turnaround time and reduce the cost of doing business.
The minister further stated that better port infrastructure would improve regional connectivity and strengthen national supply chains by making the movement of goods more predictable and affordable. He noted that the modernisation project was part of a larger plan to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, including the proposed development of six new deep seaports across the country.
The proposed projects are the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.
“Combining modernisation of existing ports with the development of new deep seaports will significantly expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country,” he said.
Oyetola also disclosed that the Federal Government was working towards an integrated maritime and logistics network that would connect seaports more effectively with roads, railways and inland waterways. He said the goal was to develop an efficient, transparent and internationally competitive port system that would cut the time and cost associated with transporting goods from international borders to inland destinations.
The minister said the government would continue to collaborate with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects deliver sustainable economic benefits, increased trade and employment opportunities. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s maritime capacity and ensuring that ports across the country contribute more significantly to national economic development.
