The Federal Government has started the procurement process for the modernisation of seaports outside Lagos as part of plans to promote balanced development across Nigeria’s maritime gateways and strengthen the country’s position in regional trade.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in Lagos on Wednesday during the 2025 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria Conference themed “Enhancing Logistics and Transport for a Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria.”
Oyetola, who was represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said the Federal Government’s ongoing port modernisation initiative is focused on upgrading key infrastructure, improving cargo handling operations, and expanding port capacity to meet international standards.
According to him, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to reform the marine and blue economy sector to improve logistics performance, enhance competitiveness, and attract foreign investment into the country.
The minister explained that the government is also working to make Nigerian ports fully digital and paperless, a move that would reduce turnaround time for vessels, improve transparency, and curb corruption within the port system.
“As part of this commitment, the Federal Government has approved a $1 billion modernisation project for the Lagos ports. This project will upgrade infrastructure, enhance cargo handling, and expand capacity to meet global standards,” Oyetola said. “In addition, the procurement process has commenced for similar modernisation projects at ports outside Lagos to ensure balanced development across all maritime gateways.”
He said the port reforms and infrastructure expansion efforts reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to transform Nigeria into a preferred maritime hub in Africa by addressing challenges such as poor logistics, congestion, and outdated port facilities.
Oyetola added that the marine and blue economy sector holds huge potential for job creation and revenue generation if properly harnessed. He said the government is determined to ensure that Nigerian ports become efficient, competitive, and sustainable in line with global best practices.
The minister also highlighted the success of the Deep Blue Project, an initiative designed to improve maritime security and protect Nigeria’s territorial waters. He said the project, along with other security interventions, has helped the country maintain a record of zero piracy incidents in the past three years.
“Since the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we have focused on reform and institutional strengthening. Through the Deep Blue Project and other efforts, we are safeguarding our maritime domain to encourage investment and reduce the cost of doing business. For more than three years now, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents on its waterways,” Oyetola said.
He further revealed that the government has developed a comprehensive 10-year National Blue Economy Strategy, which aligns policies in maritime transport, fisheries, logistics, and coastal development under one sustainable framework.
The minister noted that private sector participation is key to achieving the ministry’s goals. He said the government is creating a more enabling environment for private investors through regulatory reforms, public-private partnerships (PPP), and targeted incentives aimed at driving innovation and boosting productivity across the maritime value chain.
“Our goal is sustainable and inclusive growth that balances economic opportunity with environmental protection and social equity. We encourage stakeholders in the logistics and transport sectors to embrace green technologies, train young professionals, and promote data-driven decision-making,” Oyetola said.
At the same event, the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, Mfon Usoro, announced that the institute had recorded significant revenue growth in the last four years. She attributed the improvement to financial discipline, transparency, and stronger governance structures within the organisation.
“Every expenditure now passes through the Finance, Budget, and Audit Committee for review, and we conduct quarterly audits to ensure accountability. The results have been outstanding, and the confidence of our members has grown,” Usoro stated.
CILT Nigeria, established in 1958, operates under the global CILT network headquartered in the United Kingdom. The institute serves as the professional body for logistics, transport, and supply chain practitioners in Nigeria.
The 2025 conference attracted policymakers, academics, and industry leaders who discussed sustainable transport systems, digitalisation in logistics, and opportunities within Nigeria’s emerging blue economy sector.
