The Federal Government has approved the upgrade of four major ports in Nigeria’s South-South region as part of efforts to reduce the heavy concentration of cargo traffic at the Lagos ports.

The affected ports are Onne Port in Rivers State, Delta Port, and Calabar Port in Cross River State, according to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola.

Oyetola, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Ajibola, said the latest approval complements the earlier modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.

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The minister said the initiative is aimed at improving port infrastructure, increasing operational efficiency and strengthening the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports,” Oyetola said.

He added that efficient and competitive ports were critical to facilitating trade, supporting industries, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities.

According to Oyetola, expanding port infrastructure beyond Lagos would help create additional gateways for international trade and reduce the concentration of cargo traffic in the nation’s commercial capital.

He said improved facilities at the four ports would support faster cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround time and improve regional connectivity, while making 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,” the minister said.

The Federal Government is also pursuing the development of new deep seaports across different parts of the country.

Oyetola listed the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State among the projects planned to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity.

The minister said the combination of modernising existing ports and developing new deep seaports would provide greater capacity to handle increasing trade volumes and create stronger economic corridors across Nigeria.

“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” Oyetola said.

He added that the Federal Government was working towards an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports would be connected with roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure.

Oyetola said the government’s objective was to create a more efficient and globally competitive port system that would reduce the time and cost businesses spend moving goods while encouraging investment and job creation.

The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s intention to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.