The Federal Government has intensified efforts to position Nigeria as the leading maritime trade and logistics hub in West and Central Africa through major port expansion projects, infrastructure upgrades, and sweeping maritime reforms aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness and supply chain resilience.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Monday while declaring open the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa in Lagos.
The event, themed “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development,” brought together key stakeholders across the maritime sector to discuss the future of port infrastructure, regional trade integration, and blue economy development.
According to Oyetola, the Federal Government has already approved the development of additional deep seaports across Nigeria as part of broader efforts to modernize the country’s maritime infrastructure and improve its strategic position within global shipping and logistics networks.
He explained that the new projects are intended to complement existing port facilities, reduce supply chain disruptions, improve cargo handling capacity, and reinforce Nigeria’s ambition to become the preferred maritime gateway for West and Central Africa.
The minister stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to transforming Nigeria’s ports through infrastructure modernization, digital reforms, and operational efficiency improvements designed to attract greater trade volumes and investment into the maritime sector.
According to him, recent policy interventions and stronger collaboration among government agencies have already helped reduce longstanding logistics bottlenecks affecting major seaports across the country.
“These efforts have contributed to improved cargo evacuation, reduced vessel waiting time, greater operational efficiency, and a more predictable business environment for port users and investors,” Oyetola said.
He also highlighted the Federal Government’s National Single Window initiative as one of the landmark reforms expected to significantly improve cargo clearance processes through the digital integration of government agencies, customs operations, and port procedures.
In addition, Oyetola revealed that existing seaports across the country would undergo major upgrades, including channel deepening projects aimed at accommodating larger vessels and increasing cargo throughput capacity.
According to the minister, such upgrades are necessary to ensure Nigerian ports remain globally competitive and capable of supporting growing international trade demands in the years ahead.
On maritime security, Oyetola said the implementation of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project has substantially improved safety within Nigerian waters and across the Gulf of Guinea by drastically reducing piracy and other maritime crimes.
He noted that the improved security environment has helped restore investor confidence while strengthening the region’s attractiveness as a secure maritime corridor for international commerce and shipping activities.
The minister urged delegates attending the PMAWCA session to promote initiatives that would strengthen logistical resilience, encourage sustainable port management, accelerate digital transformation, and foster inclusive community development linked to maritime operations.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and President of PMAWCA, Abubakar Dantsoho, said West and Central Africa are currently witnessing a major resurgence in maritime infrastructure investment, with more than $27 billion worth of port projects either underway or recently announced across the region.
Dantsoho highlighted several major regional projects, including the $20 billion Simandou-Morebaya Deep Sea Port project in Guinea, the $2 billion Port San Pedro project in Côte d’Ivoire, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port, as well as ongoing port developments in Ghana and Senegal.
He also referenced ongoing modernization projects at Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, alongside a $600 million investment commitment from APM Terminals.
According to Dantsoho, ports across West and Central Africa must evolve beyond their traditional role as cargo transit gateways and become broader drivers of blue economy growth and sustainable economic development.
He identified renewable marine energy, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology as key sectors expected to shape the future of the maritime industry across the region.
The event, scheduled to run from May 18 to May 20, also attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including Kefas Agbu, representatives of the Lagos State Government, Aliko Dangote of the Dangote Group, and Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser on Policy Coordination to the President.
Analysts say Nigeria’s ongoing port expansion strategy could significantly improve trade efficiency, strengthen regional integration, boost non-oil exports, and position the country as a dominant logistics and maritime center within Africa if the reforms are effectively implemented and sustained.
