The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step towards transforming the country's maritime infrastructure by approving the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports. This move is aimed at reducing the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos and strengthening alternative gateways capable of supporting international trade and regional economic activity. The approval was announced by Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who described it as another major step in the Federal Government's programme to transform Nigeria's maritime infrastructure.
The latest approval extends the port modernisation programme beyond Lagos, where the government had earlier approved the upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. According to Oyetola, expanding the programme to the eastern ports is aimed at reducing the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos while strengthening alternative gateways capable of supporting international trade and regional economic activity. The upgrade would improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround time, enhance regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
The port upgrade is part of a wider maritime infrastructure strategy that includes the development of new deep seaports in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states, alongside efforts to integrate ports with roads, rail and inland waterways. This approach is comprehensive, with the government 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 the country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa.
Minister Oyetola said President Bola Tinubu had made infrastructure renewal and economic diversification central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that modern, efficient and competitive ports were critical to facilitating trade, supporting industries, attracting investment and creating jobs. The ports being upgraded have strategic roles in Nigeria's trade, industrial and regional development, and the government is determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy.
The minister said the latest approval formed part of a broader expansion of Nigeria's maritime infrastructure, which includes the development of new deep seaports across different parts of the country. Among the projects are 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 reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to working with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects translate into tangible improvements in Nigeria's marine and blue economy. The government is also working towards an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports, roads, rail, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure would work together to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo.
Lagos remains Nigeria's dominant maritime gateway, with major cargo activities concentrated around its ports. The concentration has continued to place pressure on port infrastructure and the transport network linking the ports to other parts of the country. The Federal Government's decision to expand modernisation to the eastern ports is designed to increase capacity at alternative maritime gateways and distribute cargo-handling activities more widely across the country.
Key points
- The Federal Government has approved the upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports to decongest Lagos ports and create more efficient gateways for international trade.
- The port modernisation programme aims to improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround time, enhance regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
- The government is working towards an integrated maritime and logistics system to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo.
