By Uthman Oriyomi
The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and develop a more balanced national port system.
The approval was disclosed in a statement by Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who said the latest development was in addition to the earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos State.
According to the statement, the approvals form part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector as a major driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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The government said the modernisation of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports is expected to improve infrastructure and operational efficiency across the facilities.
It added that the upgrades would enhance cargo handling capacity, reduce vessel turnaround times, improve regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
The latest approval expands the Federal Government’s focus on port infrastructure beyond Lagos, with major ports in the South-South region expected to play a greater role in Nigeria’s maritime and trade network.
The government is also pursuing the development of new deep-sea ports across different parts of the country. The projects listed in the statement include the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River State, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun State, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo State and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.
Taken together, the modernisation of existing ports and development of new deep-sea facilities form part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s port capacity and improve the country’s competitiveness as a regional maritime and trade hub.
The effectiveness of the programme, however, will ultimately depend on the conversion of approvals into completed infrastructure, improved cargo-handling systems, efficient port operations and stronger connections between ports and their hinterlands.
