Posted on September 28, 2026
By Femi Fabunmi
The Federal Government has approved the modernisation and upgrade of four ports outside Lagos, as well as the development of six new deep seaports across the country.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approvals in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday.
The four ports approved for modernisation are Onne Port and Rivers Port in Rivers State, Delta Port in Delta State and Calabar Port in Cross River State.
The six proposed deep seaports are Ibom in Akwa Ibom State, Bakassi in Cross River State, Agge in Bayelsa State, Gateway in Ogun State, Ondo in Ondo State and Bonny in Rivers State.
Oyetola said the decision was part of the Federal Government’s plan to expand port infrastructure beyond Lagos.
According to him, the programme builds on the ongoing modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
He said expanding port facilities to other parts of the country would help reduce the heavy concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos area.
“I am pleased to announce that the Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar Ports,” Oyetola said.
The minister said the upgrades would improve cargo handling, reduce the time ships spend at the ports and strengthen connections between different regions.
He added that the projects would make the movement of goods more predictable and cheaper while supporting trade, industrial activities and economic development.
Oyetola said the approval of the six new deep seaports would further increase Nigeria’s capacity to handle cargo and create stronger economic links across the country.
FG plans integrated transport system
The minister said the government’s plan goes beyond building and upgrading ports.
He explained that the Federal Government wants to develop an integrated maritime and transport system where ports are connected to roads, railways, inland waterways and other forms of transport.
According to him, this would reduce the time and money businesses spend moving goods across the country.
Oyetola said the government would work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects deliver the expected benefits.
He said Nigeria has the geographical location, market and maritime resources needed to become a major maritime hub in Africa.
The minister added that the government’s responsibility was to provide the infrastructure, policies and business environment needed to turn the country’s maritime potential into economic benefits.
Badagry deep seaport
The Federal Government is also holding discussions with APM Terminals over the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport in Lagos State.
The discussions followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Badagry Port Development Limited.
The proposed port is expected to increase Nigeria’s deepwater port capacity and allow the country to receive larger container ships.
It is also expected to create opportunities for cargo handling and transshipment.
The Badagry project is part of wider efforts by the government to increase deep-sea port capacity along Nigeria’s coastline.
Nigerian ports record higher cargo traffic
Nigerian ports recorded increased activity in the first half of 2026, with growth in cargo volumes, vessel calls and container traffic.
In the first quarter of 2026, cargo throughput increased by 11.6 per cent year on year to 32.38 million metric tonnes.
The gross registered tonnage of ocean-going vessels also increased by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million tonnes.
In the second quarter, cargo throughput rose by 12.3 per cent to 35.74 million metric tonnes, compared with 31.83 million metric tonnes recorded in the same period of 2025.
Ocean-going vessel calls increased by 14.4 per cent to 1,201, while their gross registered tonnage rose by 22.2 per cent to 49.95 million tonnes.
Container traffic also increased by 11.3 per cent to 602,392 twenty-foot equivalent units.
Transshipment reached 29,038 TEUs in the second quarter, compared with no transshipment recorded during the same period in 2025.
The growth followed a strong performance in 2025, when total cargo throughput increased by 24.8 per cent to 129.3 million metric tonnes.
Container traffic also rose by 25.7 per cent to more than 2.1 million TEUs in 2025.
FG moves to support maritime financing
The Federal Government has also taken steps to improve access to finance for Nigerian operators in the maritime sector through the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund.
President Bola Tinubu approved the disbursement of the fund, with Oyetola directing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and 12 Primary Lending Institutions to speed up the process.
NIMASA received 92 applications, of which 20 were submitted for consideration and one was reviewed and forwarded.
The Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund is designed to provide low-interest, long-term loans to eligible maritime operators.
The government expects the fund to increase Nigerian participation in the shipping industry and create more than 30,000 jobs.
The fund was estimated at N44.64 billion in 2019, while NIMASA valued it at about $700 million in 2025.
