The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, extending its port rehabilitation programme beyond Lagos as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and trade competitiveness.
The approval covers two ports in Rivers State — Onne and Rivers ports — as well as Delta Port in Delta State and Calabar Port in Cross River State.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Bolaji Akinola, said the latest approval builds on the government’s earlier decision to modernise and upgrade Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said extending the programme outside Lagos forms part of the government’s effort to develop a more balanced, efficient and globally competitive national port system.
FG Targets Faster Cargo Movement
The government expects improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at the four ports to strengthen their capacity to handle cargo and reduce delays associated with vessel and cargo operations.
According to the ministerial statement, the upgrades are expected to improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times and strengthen regional connectivity.
The government also expects the investments to make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective, potentially improving conditions for manufacturers, importers, exporters and logistics operators.
Expanding capacity outside Lagos could also provide alternative gateways for Nigerian cargo and reduce the concentration of maritime traffic around the country’s main commercial city.
Apapa and Tin Can Island have traditionally accounted for a substantial portion of Nigeria’s seaport traffic, making the development of other ports important to the government’s broader maritime infrastructure strategy.
Six Deep Seaports Also Approved
Beyond modernising existing ports, the Federal Government has approved the development of six deep seaports across different parts of the country.
They are the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.
The combination of existing port upgrades and new deep seaport projects is intended to expand Nigeria’s overall maritime capacity.
Oyetola said the government’s broader approach involves developing an integrated logistics network connecting ports with roads, railways and inland waterways, allowing cargo to move more efficiently from the coastline to businesses and consumers across the country.
If successfully implemented, the programme could expand Nigeria’s port options, improve regional trade corridors and create additional opportunities for maritime investment outside Lagos.
The next major focus will be implementation, including financing, procurement, construction timelines and the extent to which the upgrades translate into lower logistics costs for port users.
