The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed that the main goal behind the modernization of Nigeria’s ports is to position them as a leading transshipment hub within the African sub-region.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos, the minister revealed that the Federal Executive Council had recently approved the contract for the modernization of the Western Ports, which include the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the Tin-Can Island Port Complex, Apapa, with a projected completion time of 48 months.
Oyetola emphasized that the modernization of seaports remains a top priority for the current administration. He stated that, “The procurement process for the modernization of the Eastern Ports is being fast-tracked. The goal is to ensure that our port system collectively becomes the transshipment hub for the sub-region. When the modernization is completed, the draft of our port will be 16 – 17 meters. It is currently 12 – 13 meters. This will allow bigger vessels to berth and reverse the revenue loss to neighboring ports of Tema, Lome, and Cotonou. These port rehabilitation projects by NPA are expected to generate over 20,000 jobs.”
To address the infrastructure gap, Oyetola stated that the Ministry is promoting Public-Private Partnerships to attract private sector investment in areas such as port modernization, channel dredging, automation, inland waterways development, ferry and cruise services, cargo handling equipment deployment, terminal operations, and technological innovation.
“Additionally, we are extending necessary support to private investors to encourage participation in greenfield port projects such as Badagry, Ilaje, Olokola, Agge, Ibaka, Burutu, Snake Island, Bakassi, Deep Sea Ports as well as the development of river ports and jetties across the country,” the minister noted.
Oyetola further revealed that Inland Dry Ports are being developed nationwide to enhance trade facilitation. He explained that these dry ports function as cargo handling and clearance hubs, improving logistics efficiency and easing access to international markets.
Highlighting recent achievements, the minister mentioned the commissioning of the Funtua Dry Port in Katsina State. He added that similar facilities in Kano and Kaduna are already supporting trade operations. “Dry port development in Abia, Plateau, and Borno states are at various stages of development to further strengthen the nation’s trade infrastructure. Additional dry ports in Oyo, Ogun, and other states are planned,” he said.
The Ministry is also collaborating closely with the Federal Ministries of Transportation and Works to rehabilitate internal access roads and improve port connectivity, thereby reducing congestion and transit time. Moreover, Oyetola revealed that the government is leveraging the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to drive blue tourism, support the fisheries industry, and promote eco-tourism.
Focusing on operational efficiency, the minister highlighted the ongoing implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project, which aims to streamline trade compliance processes and link ports with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to create a seamless system. “To complement this NSW, the Ministry and NPA are finalizing the Port Community System (PCS), an electronic platform to centralize and automate processes among stakeholders in port services. Mr. President has provided the political will and support for the take-off of the project, which holds the capacity to increase cargo dwell time at the Nigerian Seaports,” he explained. He further noted that the PCS would serve as a one-stop shop for all port stakeholders and is part of the broader digitalization of port processes and operations.
The minister added that NPA is working diligently to establish the PCS and that consultations have been initiated to reduce the number of agencies at the seaports to a maximum of seven to accelerate port processes and enhance the ease of doing business. In terms of technological advancements, Oyetola mentioned several initiatives, including the deployment of scanners by the Nigeria Customs Service to improve transparency at the ports, the Vessel Tracking System, the E-Regulatory Process Portal, the International Cargo Tracking Note to boost revenue and guarantee security, and the Truck Call-Up System to reduce traffic congestion.
On the blue economy front, Oyetola emphasized that fisheries and aquaculture are central to the Ministry’s vision. He revealed that the Ministry’s strategic focus is to enhance sustainable fish production while tapping into the full potential of Nigeria’s marine resources.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba, explained that the interactive session was carefully designed to foster mutual understanding between the media and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
