By Steve Agbota
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising ports outside Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime infrastructure, improve trade efficiency and stimulate economic activities across the federation.
Oyetola gave the assurance on Friday at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held in Lagos, reaffirming the government’s resolve to develop a more balanced network of maritime gateways across the country.
He said the ongoing drive to modernise Nigeria’s ports remained a critical component of the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda, with particular attention to improving the capacity and efficiency of existing facilities beyond Lagos.
The minister identified Onne, Warri and Calabar ports as part of the modernisation programme, which complements efforts at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to its deep seaport development agenda, covering proposed projects at Agge, Bakassi, Bonny, Gateway, Ibom and Ondo.
“This is a deliberate effort to expand capacity, improve efficiency and build a more balanced national network of maritime gateways,” Oyetola said.
He explained that the broader vision of the Ministry is the effective connections between seaports, inland dry ports and production centres through an integrated network of roads, railways and inland waterways.
“By linking our seaports to Inland Dry Ports and production centres through an integrated multimodal network of road, rail and inland waterways, we are bringing cargo closer to producers and consumers, reducing haulage costs, easing pressure on Lagos, strengthening exports and stimulating industrial and logistics clusters across the Federation,” he said.
Oyetola further stressed that Nigeria’s maritime development agenda extended beyond coastal communities, noting that inland ports and waterways, including Onitsha and Baro, remained important to connecting businesses and production centres to national and international markets.
He said the government was working with relevant agencies and investors to ensure that its port development objectives translated into functional infrastructure, efficient cargo handling, navigable channels and dependable transport connections.
The minister also highlighted the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen economic regulation, promote fair competition and improve service delivery across the port system.
He maintained that sustained investment in port infrastructure and improved connectivity would help reduce logistics costs, encourage investment, support exports and create employment opportunities across different parts of the country.
The World Maritime Day celebration attracted maritime industry leaders, heads of government agencies, lawmakers and other stakeholders.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz.
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