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 ease the concentration of cargo traffic at Lagos ports.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval, saying it builds on the earlier green light given for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
According to the minister, extending the port modernisation programme to other parts of the country is designed to create a more balanced, efficient and competitive national port system.
“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports,” Oyetola said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola.
He said the initiative 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.
Oyetola said upgrading ports outside Lagos would provide additional gateways for international trade and help ease pressure on the Lagos port complex.
He added that improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would strengthen 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.
The latest approval is part of a broader expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, which also includes government-backed plans for the development of new deep seaports across the country.
The projects 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 increase Nigeria’s capacity to handle growing trade volumes 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. 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,” he said.
The minister also said the government was working towards an integrated maritime and logistics network in which ports, roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure operate together to improve cargo movement.
“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 commitment to collaborating with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects deliver measurable improvements to 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,” he said.
