By Olumide Johnson
The federal government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar Ports, extending the national port renewal programme beyond Lagos and reinforcing the Nigeria Ports Authority’s (NPA) role in developing a more distributed maritime infrastructure network.
The approval follows earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos.
DEVELOPMENT
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, said that the expansion reflects the federal government’s strategy to develop a balanced, efficient and globally competitive port system.
On the approval for ‘Modernisation and Upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta, Calabar Ports’, Oyetola noted that modern ports are central to trade, industrial activity, investment and employment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Extending the modernisation programme beyond Lagos will complement ongoing investments in Apapa and Tin Can Island, while helping to reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos and creating additional efficient gateways for international trade.”
DATA
The approved programme covers four existing ports across Rivers, Delta and Cross River states, alongside the earlier Lagos projects.
The federal government has also approved new deep seaports at Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny.
Oyetola said that upgraded facilities would “enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.”
SIGNIFICANCE
For the NPA and Nigeria’s maritime economy, the significance lies in creating a broader network of functioning gateways rather than concentrating cargo infrastructure around Lagos.
Oyetola also said: “Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports. Together, these investments will expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, create stronger economic corridors and position our country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa.”
The programme could also strengthen the economic relevance of ports serving different industrial and regional corridors, while creating additional opportunities for terminal operators, shipping companies, logistics businesses and investors.
NEXT MOVE
Implementation and coordination will determine how quickly the approvals translate into operational improvements. The ministry is expected to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
Oyetola further said: “The Ministry will continue to work closely with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that these projects translate into tangible improvements across Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.”
OUR LENS
The deeper development is the movement from a predominantly Lagos-centred port structure towards a wider national maritime network. For the NPA, this creates an opportunity to connect upgraded ports with roads, rail and inland waterways and improve the distribution of cargo across economic corridors.
Oyetola captured the broader objective: “Our vision is an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports, roads, rail, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure work together to enable the seamless movement of cargo.”
He stated: “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 required to turn that potential into sustainable economic value.”
Olumide Johnson is a journalist, reporting on energy, maritime, business, and developments shaping Nigeria’s economy.
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