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The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called on investors, maritime operators and development partners to key into the Agge Deep Seaport project, describing it as a strategic gateway for trade, logistics and industrial growth in the Niger Delta and the wider West African subregion.
The governor made the appeal in a goodwill message delivered on Monday at the 1st International Deep Seaport Investment Forum (IDSIF 2026) held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Diri, who represented by the Bayelsa Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, said Nigeria’s maritime domain remains one of the country’s most strategically endowed yet underutilised sectors, stressing that deep seaport development will play a critical role in economic diversification, export expansion and job creation.
He noted that with its long coastline, extensive inland waterways and proximity to major global shipping routes, Nigeria has the natural advantage required to emerge as a leading maritime and logistics hub in Africa. However, he said unlocking this potential would require deliberate investment, coordinated policy direction, infrastructure modernisation and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
The governor highlighted the Agge Deep Seaport as a flagship infrastructure project being driven by the Bayelsa State Government, noting that the proposed location offers favourable natural deep-draft conditions and proximity to international shipping routes, making it suitable for large vessels and long-term maritime operations.
According to him, the project is expected to serve as a major trade gateway, support export growth and help decongest existing ports in the country, while also driving development across logistics, fisheries, manufacturing and maritime services value chains.
Diri further disclosed that the Bayelsa State Government is already working closely with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to advance the project. He commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for directing the constitution of a joint technical team involving relevant federal agencies to fast-track the necessary regulatory and implementation processes.
The governor also acknowledged the presence of former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, and Chairman of the summit Aliko Dangote, describing the forum as a timely platform for aligning government, investors and maritime stakeholders on the future of deep seaport development in Nigeria.
He stressed that modern port infrastructure across Nigeria’s coastal states would require innovative financing, strong institutional coordination, transparent regulatory systems and sustained partnerships between government and private investors.
Diri said Bayelsa State is ready to provide the necessary institutional support and work with credible partners to ensure the Agge Deep Seaport moves from concept to reality, adding that the project is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
He commended the organisers of the forum for initiating a strategic dialogue on maritime investment and expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce practical outcomes for the development of modern port infrastructure in the country.
