The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has lauded the Governor of Ondo state Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on the revalidation of the operating licence for the Ondo Deep Sea Port, describing the development as a historic milestone with far-reaching economic implications for the state, the South-West and Nigeria at large.
Recall that Governor Aiyedatiwa had said the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port will serve as a major hub for international trade, benefiting not only Ondo State but Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
The governor stated this in Abuja after receiving the revalidated operating licence for the port from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola.
The licence, originally approved in 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was resubmitted for revalidation following errors discovered in the original document.
In a statement signed on Sunday by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, Afenifere said the revalidation of the licence marks a major stride in regional economic development and firmly positions Ondo State as an emerging maritime and industrial hub in the country.
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According to the organisation, the revalidated licence has removed all lingering administrative and regulatory encumbrances, providing the legal certainty and institutional clarity required for the full-scale development of the port project.
“Uniquely positioned with a depth capable of accommodating very large vessels unable to berth at existing Lagos ports, the facility will decongest Nigeria’s busiest maritime corridor, enhance cargo handling efficiency, reduce turnaround times and lower logistics costs.This positions Ondo State at the forefront of next-generation port infrastructure in the country.
“Beyond state-level benefits, the port will drive economic activity across the South-West through industrial clustering, petrochemical expansion, agro-export processing, and manufacturing value chains.
“Multiplier effects include job creation, skills development, technology transfer and increased internally generated revenue for state and federal governments,” it read.
Afenifere noted that the development reflects purposeful governance, strategic foresight, and institutional discipline on the part of the Aiyedatiwa administration, adding that it would significantly strengthen investor confidence in the project and the state’s economic vision.
The organisation highlighted the unique advantage of the proposed port, noting that its natural depth would enable it to accommodate very large vessels that are unable to berth at the existing Lagos ports.
It said the Ondo Deep Sea Port would help decongest Nigeria’s busiest maritime corridor, improve cargo handling efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time and lower logistics costs, thereby placing Ondo State at the forefront of next-generation port infrastructure in Nigeria.
Beyond its direct benefits to Ondo State, Afenifere said the port would stimulate economic activities across the South-West through industrial clustering, petrochemical expansion, agro-export processing, and manufacturing value chains.
The organisation added that the multiplier effects of the project would include job creation, skills development, technology transfer, and increased internally generated revenue for both the state and the federal government.
At the regional level, Afenifere said the port is expected to serve as a vital gateway within the ECOWAS trade ecosystem, supporting regional trade integration, trans-shipment services, and West Africa’s participation in global maritime commerce.
According to the group, the project would further strengthen Nigeria’s leadership role in sub-regional economic coordination and trade facilitation.
Afenifere also acknowledged the supportive role of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in aligning the Ondo Deep Sea Port project with national development priorities, particularly economic diversification under the blue economy framework.
While commending Governor Aiyedatiwa for sustaining momentum on what it described as a transformative and legacy infrastructure project, the organisation urged continued collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure timely execution and operational excellence.
It, however, expressed confidence that the Ondo Deep Sea Port, when completed, would deliver enduring prosperity for Ondo State, the South-West, and Nigeria as a whole.