The Federal Government has approved the modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports to expand trade capacity and ease pressure on Lagos ports.
The federal government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports.
Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, announced the approval in a post on X on Sunday, saying it builds on the earlier plan to modernise and upgrade the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos. He said the move is part of efforts to develop a balanced, efficient and globally competitive national port system.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, infrastructure renewal and economic diversification remain central to the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister said.
“Modern and efficient ports are critical to this vision because they facilitate trade, support industry, attract investment and create jobs.”
Easing the Pressure on Lagos
Oyetola said extending the modernisation programme beyond Lagos would 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.
He said upgraded infrastructure and improved operational efficiency at Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
“These ports have strategic roles to play in our trade, industrial and regional development, and we are determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy,” Oyetola said.
Part of a Wider Maritime Push
The minister said the approval is part of a broader expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, which includes federal government approvals for the development of the Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny deep seaports.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” he said. He added that together, the investments would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, create stronger economic corridors and position the country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa.
Oyetola said the government’s 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.
“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 said the ministry would continue to work closely with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure the projects translate into tangible improvements across Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Reports on the announcement did not give a cost for the upgrades, a timeline for the work, or details of how the projects would be financed or which operators would carry them out. The approval was made public in the minister’s X post and in a statement issued by his special adviser on media and communications, Bolaji Akinola.
