The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and create a more balanced national port system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval on Sunday, September 27, 2026, saying the initiative builds on the earlier approval to modernise the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
According to Oyetola, extending the modernisation programme beyond Lagos is intended to reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos axis while creating additional efficient gateways for international trade.
The minister said the upgrades would improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
“These ports have strategic roles to play in our trade, industrial and regional development, and we are determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy,” Oyetola said.
The approval covers Onne and Rivers ports in Rivers State, Delta Port in Delta State and Calabar Port in Cross River State. The four facilities are strategically located along Nigeria’s eastern and southern maritime corridors and play important roles in trade and industrial activities.
Oyetola said the modernisation programme forms part of the Federal Government’s wider strategy to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector as a driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment.
He explained that modern and efficient ports are critical to reducing the time and resources businesses spend moving goods, while also supporting industrial activity and attracting investment.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the development of six new deep seaports: Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny.
He said the combination of upgrading existing ports and developing new deep seaports would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” Oyetola said, adding that the projects are intended to position Nigeria as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa.
The minister further outlined a broader vision for an integrated maritime and logistics network in which ports work alongside roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo.
He said the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy would collaborate with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the approved projects translate into tangible improvements.
The latest approval therefore expands the Federal Government’s ongoing port modernisation programme from Lagos to other major maritime gateways, with the stated objective of improving efficiency, reducing congestion and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to handle growing domestic and international trade.
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