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Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and a former Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Bode George on Monday led a chorus of maritime stakeholders warning that Nigeria risks losing its cargo traffic permanently to neighbouring countries if it fails to urgently develop a truly international deep seaports.
The warning came at the 1st International Deep Seaport Forum in Lagos, where industry leaders, former government officials and port administrators warned that Nigeria could soon be forced to move its own cargoes through ports in other West African countries if critical infrastructure decisions are delayed again.
Speaking at the forum, Jonathan said Nigeria made costly strategic mistakes during a decisive period in global shipping, particularly when the world shifted to containerisation and deeper-draft vessels.
According to him, the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) remains a key lesson the country has not fully studied, noting that while global operators were investing in modern container ships, Nigeria acquired vessels that were already being phased out internationally.
He warned that repeating similar policy missteps could once again weaken Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime trade.
Also speaking, Bode George cautioned against concentrating the nation’s port infrastructure in Lagos alone, stressing that strategic national assets should not be located in one corridor. He described the global security environment and disruptions in major shipping routes as a clear warning that Nigeria must diversify and strengthen its port system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented at the event, said the Federal Government is pursuing a modern port strategy anchored on automation, green-port development and stronger hinterland connectivity. He added that future port investments must align with global shipping realities rather than outdated infrastructure models.
Earlier, the convener of the forum and CEO of Maritime Media Limited, Elder Asu Beks, encouraged President Bola Tinubu to speedily sign the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) bill.
While commending President Tinubu for the creation of a distinct Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Asu Beks likened the absence of a legislated port economic regulator in the nation to having a car without the keys.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that unless urgent steps are taken to develop a modern international seaport supported by efficient rail, road and digital systems, Nigeria could soon find itself depending on neighbouring ports for its own international trade.
