By Onu Okorie
Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernization of four major ports in the South South — Onne, Rivers, Delta, and Calabar — in a move aimed at reducing Nigeria’s heavy dependence on Lagos ports, and creating a more decentralized national cargo-handling network.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this while outlining the administration’s expanding programme for the transformation of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
The latest approval follows earlier Federal Government approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos State, indicating a broader strategy to distribute port capacity across different regions of the country.
Oyetola said the expansion was designed to provide alternative gateways for international trade, improve cargo movement and strengthen the contribution of the maritime sector to economic growth.
According to him, modernising ports outside Lagos would help reduce the concentration of cargo traffic in the nation’s commercial capital while improving regional connectivity and lowering logistics costs.
“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.
He said the four South-South ports had strategic importance to Nigeria’s trade and industrial development and would be equipped to respond to the requirements of a growing economy.
Beyond Lagos
The Minister’s announcement signals a shift from a predominantly Lagos-centred port development model towards a broader national port network.
Improved infrastructure at Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports is expected to increase cargo-handling capacity, shorten vessel turnaround times and provide businesses with additional options for moving imports and exports.
Oyetola said the government’s objective was to make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective by strengthening port infrastructure and operational efficiency across the country.
“This approach 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 government is simultaneously pursuing the development of new deep seaports, including 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.
The combination of upgraded existing ports and new deep seaports, the Minister explained, would create stronger economic corridors and expand Nigeria’s overall maritime capacity.
Ports, roads, rail must connect
Beyond physical port rehabilitation, Oyetola stressed the need for an integrated logistics system linking seaports with roads, railways, inland waterways and other transportation infrastructure.
He said the administration’s ambition was to create a system in which cargo could move seamlessly from ports to industrial and commercial centres 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,” he said.
The Minister also pledged closer collaboration with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects deliver measurable improvements.
Regulatory and economic implications
The scale of the programme will also place greater demands on port regulation, concession management, infrastructure standards and coordination among maritime agencies.
A decentralised port system would require corresponding improvements in customs processes, cargo clearance, road and rail connections, inland logistics and digital port operations if the additional capacity is to translate into lower costs for businesses.
Oyetola said the government’s broader objective was to convert Nigeria’s maritime assets and geographic advantage into sustainable economic value.
“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.