The Federal Government has approved the modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Bonny, Warri and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and improve port efficiency.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, said the approval, contained in a statement by his media aide, Dr Bolaji Akinola, followed an earlier one for the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
He said the modernisation was part of a broader strategy to reposition the maritime sector as a driver of trade, investment and employment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
‘This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports,’ he said.
Oyetola said extending the modernisation programme beyond Lagos would reduce cargo concentration around the city by creating additional gateways for international trade, while improving cargo handling, cutting vessel turnaround times and boosting regional connectivity.
He said the initiative would complement the development of new deep seaports, including 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.
‘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.
Oyetola added that the ministry was working towards an integrated system linking ports, roads, rail and inland waterways to ensure the seamless movement of cargo, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to working with state governments, terminal operators, investors and shipping companies to deliver the projects.
‘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.