Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has cleared the air on the Federal Government’s port modernization agenda, confirming it is a nationwide sweep rather than a Lagos-centric project.
Minister Adegboyega Oyetola’s remarks during the first-quarter sectoral performance review underscore a strategic shift to decentralize Nigeria’s maritime economy.
While the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island are undergoing a landmark $700 million modernization funded by the UK, the Minister confirmed that this
“infrastructure drive” is now moving into the procurement phase for regional hubs including Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“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.
In a strategic push for inclusive growth, Minister Oyetola announced that procurement processes are underway for the modernization of the Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar ports. These projects run parallel to approved upgrades at Lagos’s premier maritime gateways, according to a press statement issued by Dr. Bolaji Akinola.
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“We are committed to a balanced and inclusive development of port infrastructure across the country,” Oyetola emphasised.
The Minister characterized the modernization effort as a ‘transformative intervention’ under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative is designed to drive operational excellence by enhancing port efficiency, reducing vessel turnaround times, and optimizing cargo handling capabilities.
The future of Nigeria’s Blue Economy is going coastal. Beyond Lagos, Minister Oyetola revealed that new deep seaports have been greenlit for Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo—paving the way for thousands of jobs and a nationwide maritime revolution.
“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.
According to Oyetola, this initiative is a cornerstone of the Federal Government’s economic diversification plan—designed to catalyze trade, slash the cost of doing business, and unlock new investment opportunities across the board.
