By Afolabi Oyekunle
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, says comprehensive modernization of the country's Seaports covering Apapa ,Tin Can Island Ports, Onne, Rivers, Calabar and Warri ports, is underway.
Oyetola stated this yesterday in Lagos at the 2026 Transport Industry Summit organised by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria, (TCAN)
Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola
Oyetola represented by Mr Paul Garnuwa, Director, Inland Transport Services, Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, said the comprehensive seaport modernisation will improve efficiency, capacity and competitiveness across Nigeria’s transportation and logistics system.
Oyetola said the Federal Government was focusing on improving maritime infrastructure and efficiency to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to participate competitively in regional and global trade.
He said the programme would involve reconstructing quay walls, deepening channels, replacing obsolete cargo-handling equipment and further digitalising terminal and gate operations.
Oyetola said the modernisation programme was also designed to increase capacity, reduce vessel and cargo delays, lower logistics costs and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime gateways.
According to the Minister, transportation logistics directly influenced investment, production, trade and employment through the cost, speed, reliability and predictability of moving goods across Nigeria.
The minister said ports and waterways must function as interconnected components of the wider transport chain, alongside roads, rail, warehouses and distribution networks nationwide.
He noted that port delays affected manufacturers, exporters, transport operators, distributors and consumers, stressing that inefficiencies at ports ultimately affected the entire logistics chain.
The minister said Nigeria’s improving port performance had received international recognition through the 2025 Container Port Performance Index produced by World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
According to him, Tin Can Island Port ranked 10th while Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, ranked 12th among the world’s 20 most improved container ports between 2020 and 2025.
Oyetola said the recognition was encouraging but reinforced the need to sustain reforms aimed at achieving shorter turnaround times and predictable cargo movement.
He also announced the removal of the United States Coast Guard’s Conditions of Entry on vessels arriving from Nigeria after 12 years of additional security requirements.
According to him, the decision followed sustained efforts to strengthen compliance with international security standards, improve access controls and address identified port-security gaps.
He said the development would strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s port-security arrangements while removing additional procedures affecting vessels travelling between Nigerian and United States ports.
Oyetola said the ministry was also working with state governments and private investors to develop deep seaports across several coastal states, including Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa.
Others, he said, were Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers, adding that the projects would expand capacity, create maritime corridors and reduce pressure on existing gateways.
He said the Federal Government would provide regulatory frameworks, facilitate inter-agency coordination and support viable public-private partnerships to accelerate sustainable port development across the country.
Oyetola said the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act 2026 would provide a permanent framework for regulating tariffs, charges, service standards, competition and protection of port users.
He said NPERA would provide clearer rules for terminal operators, shipping lines and logistics providers while creating structured mechanisms for resolving commercial and regulatory issues.
The minister said reducing logistics costs required improvements in infrastructure, regulation, security, technology and coordination, particularly stronger connections between seaports and hinterland transportation networks.
He said the ministry would continue supporting inland waterways, maritime infrastructure and stronger coordination with agencies responsible for roads, rail and other transport modes.
Oyetola said digitalisation would remain central to reforms through electronic documentation, cargo visibility, accurate information and data-sharing among stakeholders across Nigeria’s logistics supply chain.
He urged the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) to sustain informed reporting and constructive scrutiny, noting that transport journalism remained crucial because of the sector’s technical and economic importance.
The minister said government remained committed to stakeholder engagement and measurable outcomes, including faster cargo movement, improved vessel turnaround, greater capacity, stronger security and transparent regulation.
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