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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has reassured that the Federal Government’s port modernisation programme is a nationwide initiative, dismissing concerns that the focus is restricted to Lagos.
News Diet recalls that some of these concerns became more pronounced since the Minister announced a £746 million financing agreement with the United Kingdom to modernise Nigeria’s two busiest seaports in Lagos (Apapa and Tincan Island), marking the most extensive upgrade of the country’s port infrastructure in nearly five decades.
Speaking on this development on Monday at Nigeria’s 1st International Deep Seaport Investment Forum (IDSIF) 2026, a former Governing Board Chairman of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Bode George, warned that overconcentration of port infrastructure in one part of the country would hinder national development.
On Thursday, however, at the Ministry’s combined citizens and stakeholders’ engagement, sectoral performance and ministerial retreat in Lagos, Oyetola stressed that inclusive infrastructure development remains central to the Ministry’s mandate.
“Let me address a concern that has been raised in some quarters that our focus is limited to Lagos ports. This is not the case,” he said.
He disclosed that procurement processes are already underway for the modernisation of ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar, alongside the approved upgrades for Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
“We are committed to a balanced and inclusive development of port infrastructure across the country,” Oyetola emphasised.
The Minister explained that the modernisation effort goes beyond infrastructure, describing it as “a transformative intervention” by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will enhance port efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time, and improve cargo handling capacity.
He further revealed that approvals have been granted for the development of new deep seaports in Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo States.
“These projects will expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, decongest existing ports, open up new economic corridors, and position our country as a leading maritime gateway in Africa,” he said.
Oyetola noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda and is expected to stimulate trade, reduce the cost of doing business, and attract investment across multiple sectors.
He equally assured stakeholders that significant progress has been made towards the refloating of a national shipping carrier, signalling a major step in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The Minister revealed that the government has secured the interest of leading international partners, including AD Ports Group and DP World, to collaborate on the initiative.
Oyetola equally announced a remarkable 160 percent increase in revenue generated by agencies under his Ministry, attributing the surge to sweeping reforms and a renewed focus on accountability.
