The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising ports outside Lagos and improving inland waterway connectivity to boost trade, reduce logistics costs and stimulate economic growth across the country.
Oyetola gave the assurance on Friday at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he outlined the government’s vision for a more balanced and efficient national maritime network.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola giving his speech at the world maritime Day in lagos
He identified Onne, Warri and Calabar ports as key beneficiaries of the port modernisation drive, which complements ongoing efforts at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to developing deep seaports 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,” the minister said.
Oyetola explained that the government’s broader maritime development strategy involved connecting seaports, inland dry ports and production centres through an integrated network of roads, railways and inland waterways.
According to him, the multimodal approach is designed to bring cargo closer to producers and consumers, reduce haulage costs, ease congestion in Lagos, strengthen exports and stimulate industrial and logistics clusters across the country.
He further emphasised that Nigeria’s maritime development agenda extended beyond coastal communities, identifying inland ports and waterways, including Onitsha and Baro, as important links between businesses, production centres and national and international markets.
The minister said the government was working with relevant agencies and investors to ensure that its port development plans translated into functional infrastructure, efficient cargo handling, navigable channels and reliable transport connections.
He also highlighted the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, as a key step towards strengthening economic regulation, promoting fair competition and improving service delivery across the port system.
Oyetola maintained that sustained investment in port infrastructure and improved connectivity would help attract investment, create employment opportunities, support exports and reduce the cost of moving goods across the country.
The celebration attracted maritime industry leaders, heads of government agencies, lawmakers and other stakeholders.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the importance of protecting maritime personnel and ensuring the safety of international shipping routes.
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