Oyetola Says Upgrade Will Reduce Lagos Cargo Pressure, Improve Trade and Create More Efficient Maritime Gateways
The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on his X handle, saying the approval builds on the earlier plan to modernise Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
Oyetola said the expansion of the modernisation programme beyond Lagos was aimed at developing a more balanced and globally competitive port system while reducing the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos.
“Extending the modernisation programme beyond Lagos will complement ongoing investments in Apapa and Tin Can Island, while helping to reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos,” he said.
The minister said upgraded infrastructure at the four ports would improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
He added that the Federal Government had also approved the development of the Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaports.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” Oyetola said.
He said the government’s broader vision was to create an integrated maritime and logistics system linking ports with roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure.
Oyetola also said the ministry would work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure the projects deliver tangible improvements.
The latest approval comes after the World Bank’s 2025 Container Port Performance Index listed Tin Can Island Port and Apapa Port among the 20 ports globally with the highest improvements between 2020 and 2025, according to the report cited in the statement.
Tin Can Island Port ranked 10th on the improvement list, while Lagos Port ranked 12th.
The Federal Government had earlier secured a £746 million financing agreement for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.