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The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta, and Calabar ports, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.
The fresh approval builds on the existing project to modernise Lagos’s Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. It highlights the Federal Government’s effort to create a balanced, efficient, and competitive national port system.
Oyetola stated that the approval is part of a broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector into a key driver of economic growth, trade, investment, and job creation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports,” Oyetola said.
He added that President Tinubu considers infrastructure renewal and economic diversification vital to the Renewed Hope Agenda. Modern and competitive ports remain critical to achieving these targets because they facilitate trade, power industry, pull in investment, and generate employment.
Oyetola emphasized that expanding the modernisation drive beyond Lagos complements ongoing work at Apapa and Tin Can Island.
It will also help decentralize cargo traffic from Lagos by establishing additional gateways for international trade.
He noted that enhanced infrastructure and operational performance at Onne, Rivers, Delta, and Calabar ports will boost cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity, and make freight movements predictable and cost-effective.
“These ports have strategic roles to play in our trade, industrial and regional development, and we are determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy,” Oyetola said.
The Minister explained that pairing existing port upgrades with new deep seaport developments will expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and build stronger economic corridors nationwide.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports. This will give Nigeria greater capacity to handle increasing volumes of trade, attract investment and position our country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa,” he stressed.
He noted that the Federal Government aims to establish an integrated maritime and logistics framework where ports, roads, railways, and inland waterways operate seamlessly together for efficient cargo delivery.
“Our ambition is to build a port system that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive. We want Nigerian businesses to spend less time and resources moving their goods, while creating an environment that encourages investment and supports job creation,” Oyetola said.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping lines, and industry stakeholders to translate these approvals into visible outcomes for Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
“Nigeria has the geography, market and maritime resources to become a leading maritime hub. Our responsibility is to provide the infrastructure, policies and enabling environment to turn that potential into sustainable economic value. This is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is about,” Oyetola added.
Full List of Approved Port Projects
Existing Seaports Approved for Comprehensive Modernisation & Upgrade:
• Lagos State: Apapa Port
• Lagos State: Tin Can Island Port
• Rivers State: Onne Port
• Rivers State: Port Harcourt (Rivers) Port
• Delta State: Delta Ports (Warri/Koko/Sapele)
• Cross River State: Calabar Port
Approved New Deep Seaport Developments:
• Akwa Ibom State: Ibom Deep Seaport
• Cross River State: Bakassi Deep Seaport
• Bayelsa State: Agge Deep Seaport
• Ogun State: Gateway Deep Seaport
• Ondo State: Ondo Deep Seaport
• Rivers State: Bonny Deep Seaport
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