The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, in a move aimed at expanding Nigeria’s maritime capacity and reducing pressure on Lagos ports.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the approval in a statement on his X handle, describing it as part of the Federal Government’s broader plan to build a balanced, efficient and globally competitive port system.
Oyetola said the latest approval builds on the earlier approval for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, stressing that the expansion would create additional gateways for international trade.
According to the minister, the upgraded ports are expected to improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
He said the Tinubu administration considers infrastructure renewal and economic diversification central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that modern ports are essential to facilitating trade, supporting industries, attracting investment and creating jobs.
“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 and creating additional efficient gateways for international trade,” Oyetola said.
He added that Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports occupy strategic positions in Nigeria’s trade, industrial and regional development, making their rehabilitation important to the country’s economic expansion.
Oyetola also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the development of the Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaports, describing the initiatives as part of a comprehensive expansion of the nation’s maritime infrastructure.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports. Together, these investments will expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, create stronger economic corridors and position our country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa,” he said.
The minister said the government’s long-term vision was to establish an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports, roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure would work together to facilitate seamless cargo movement.
He said the objective was to reduce the time and resources Nigerian businesses spend moving goods while creating an environment capable of attracting investment and supporting sustainable job creation.
Oyetola further stated that the ministry would collaborate with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the approved projects translate into measurable improvements across the marine and blue economy.
The latest approval comes against the backdrop of improvements recorded at Nigeria’s major Lagos ports. The World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index for 2025 listed Apapa and Tin Can Island ports among the world’s 20 most improved container ports over the preceding five years.
According to the report, compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, Tin Can Island Port ranked 10th globally among ports with the highest improvement between 2020 and 2025, while Lagos Port ranked 12th.
Tin Can Island’s CPPI score improved by 42 points, moving from -68 in 2020 to -26 in 2025, while Lagos Port recorded a 35-point improvement, moving from -61 to -26 during the same period.
The Federal Government has also moved to consolidate the gains through financing for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. During President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit to the United Kingdom on March 19, 2026, a £746 million financing agreement was signed in London between Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance and Citi Bank for the Lagos port modernisation programme.
However, the expansion of the modernisation programme to Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar therefore marks a further attempt by the government to spread maritime infrastructure investment beyond Lagos, strengthen regional trade corridors and expand Nigeria’s capacity to serve as a major logistics hub in Africa.
