L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun; former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ufon Usoro; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, during the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held on Friday in Lagos
FG moves to decongest Lagos ports, modernise Onne, Warri, Calabar- Oyetola
Ports
The Federal Government says it is prioritising the modernisation of Onne, Warri and Calabar ports to reduce congestion at Lagos ports, lower logistics costs and boost economic activities across the country.
Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, disclosed this on Friday in Lagos at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration.
Oyetola said that the initiative was part of President Bola Tinubu’s Blue Economy agenda to reposition the maritime sector as a major contributor to national revenue and economic growth.
He said the government was also pursuing the development of proposed deep seaports at Agge, Bakassi, Bonny, Gateway, Ibom and Ondo, alongside ongoing modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
According to him, the plan is to build an efficient and interconnected port system that will ease pressure on Lagos ports and improve access to maritime services nationwide.
He said the government would connect seaports, inland dry ports and production centres through road, rail and inland waterways to reduce cargo transportation costs and strengthen non-oil exports.
The minister also identified inland waterways and river ports, including Onitsha and Baro, as critical to expanding trade and connecting businesses to local and international markets.
Oyetola said the government was working with relevant agencies and private investors to improve port infrastructure, cargo handling, navigational channels and transport connections.
He described the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, recently signed into law, as a major step towards strengthening economic regulation, promoting fair competition and improving service delivery.
The minister said the reforms would encourage investment, create jobs and address concerns by importers and exporters in the South-South and South-East over the additional costs of moving goods through Lagos.
He noted that more than 70 per cent of cargo destined for other regions still passes through Lagos ports, contributing to congestion around Apapa and loss of productive man-hours.
Oyetola assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to implement policies to make Nigerian ports more competitive, efficient and attractive to global shipping lines.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun, called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Eshinlokun said the safety of Nigerian seafarers on international waters remained a priority for the National Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Maritime Day is celebrated annually to highlight shipping safety, maritime security and protection of the marine environment.
The event attracted maritime industry leaders, heads of government agencies, lawmakers and other stakeholders in the marine and blue economy sector.(NAN)
