FG DETERMINED TO MODERNIZE PORTS OUTSIDE LAGOS—OYETOLA
• Unveils fresh drive to produce globally competitive seafarers
• NIMASA DG says Nigeria accounts for over 46% of port calls in GoG region
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising ports outside Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime infrastructure, improve trade efficiency and stimulate economic activities across the federation.
Oyetola gave the assurance on Friday at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, reaffirming the government’s resolve to develop a more balanced network of maritime gateways across the country.
He said the ongoing drive to modernise Nigeria’s ports remained a critical component of the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda, with particular attention to improving the capacity and efficiency of existing facilities beyond Lagos, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister on Media, Dr. Bolaji Akinola
The minister identified Onne, Warri and Calabar ports as part of the modernisation programme, which complements efforts at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to its deep seaport development agenda, covering proposed projects at Agge, Bakassi, Bonny, Gateway, Ibom and Ondo.
“This is a deliberate effort to expand capacity, improve efficiency and build a more balanced national network of maritime gateways,” Oyetola said.
He explained that the broader vision of the Ministry is the effective connections between seaports, inland dry ports and production centres through an integrated network of roads, railways and inland waterways
“By linking our seaports to Inland Dry Ports and production centres through an integrated multimodal network of road, rail and inland waterways, we are bringing cargo closer to producers and consumers, reducing haulage costs, easing pressure on Lagos, strengthening exports and stimulating industrial and logistics clusters across the Federation,” he said.
Oyetola further stressed that Nigeria’s maritime development agenda extended beyond coastal communities, noting that inland ports and waterways, including Onitsha and Baro, remained important to connecting businesses and production centres to national and international markets.
He said the government was working with relevant agencies and investors to ensure that its port development objectives translated into functional infrastructure, efficient cargo handling, navigable channels and dependable transport connections.
The minister also highlighted the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen economic regulation, promote fair competition and improve service delivery across the port system.
He maintained that sustained investment in port infrastructure and improved connectivity would help reduce logistics costs, encourage investment, support exports and create employment opportunities across different parts of the country, according to Shipping Day Live.
The World Maritime Day celebration attracted maritime industry leaders, heads of government agencies, lawmakers and other stakeholders.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz
Also at the World Maritime Day event, the Federal Government said it is stepping up efforts to produce globally competitive Nigerian seafarers through expanded training, professional certification and practical onboard experience.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola disclosed this on Friday at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, describing skilled manpower development as critical to Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen its position in the global maritime industry.
The event was held under the theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
“We are expanding seafarer training, certification and practical sea-time opportunities in line with international standards,” the minister said.
He highlighted the partnership between Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, including a sea-time training memorandum of understanding aimed at helping cadets acquire the onboard experience required for professional certification.
“Together with wider seafarer training and placement initiatives, this is building a skilled Nigerian maritime workforce ready to compete globally,” he said.
Oyetola said the government was also strengthening fisheries colleges and research institutions to equip young Nigerians and women with practical skills in aquaculture, fish processing, marine technology and sustainable fisheries management.
“Through improved training, research and industry partnerships, we are equipping young Nigerians, women and fishing communities with the skills to increase productivity, create enterprises and contribute to national food security,” he said.
Beyond manpower development, the minister said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to improve maritime security, following the lifting of longstanding United States Coast Guard Condition of Entry restrictions affecting vessels arriving from Nigerian ports.
Oyetola noted that the achievement has far-reaching economic implications because the overwhelming majority of Nigeria’s international trade by volume moves by sea.
“Reducing security-related burdens and delays will lower shipping and logistics costs, strengthen the competitiveness of our businesses and, as savings move through the supply chain, help reduce the cost of goods and services for Nigerians,” he said.
On port infrastructure, Oyetola said the government was advancing modernisation projects at Onne, Warri and Calabar ports, building on developments at Apapa and Tin Can Island, while pursuing deep seaport projects at Agge, Bakassi, Bonny, Gateway, Ibom and Ondo.
He said the strategy was designed to expand capacity, improve efficiency and reduce the pressure on Lagos by connecting seaports to inland dry ports and production centres through road, rail and inland waterways.
In fisheries and aquaculture, Oyetola disclosed that fish production rose from approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025. He said the government was building on the progress through responsible aquaculture, improved processing, cold-chain investment and better market access.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun; Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Odudoh Uduak; heads of maritime agencies and other industry stakeholders.
In his goodwill message, Eshinlokun called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz. The celebration also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of an essay competition organised by agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, on the occasion said that Nigeria recorded more than 46% of total port calls in the Gulf of Guinea region last year.
Mobereola said this shows Nigeria’s importance in regional shipping trade.
The DG in a goodwill message to mark the 2026 World Maritime Day, added that this development led to the need for the country to strengthen its maritime institutions and infrastructure as well as human capacity for sustained growth.