The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has faulted recent remarks by former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, on the Federal Government’s approval of the $1 billion modernisation of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos.
The media aide to the Minister of of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Bolaji Akinola in statement on Tuesday stated that Obi’s claim suggesting neglect of ports outside Lagos was incorrect and misleading.
Akinola noted the federal government’s policies and actions demonstrate a balanced and inclusive approach to port development, guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to promote national food security, economic diversification, and regional prosperity through the full harnessing of Nigeria’s maritime potential.
A few days ago, Obi on his X handle, @PeterObi, expressed concerns over the concentration of port development only in Lagos.
The post by Obi reads: “I have noted the Federal Government’s recent approval of $1 billion (₦1.5 trillion) for the modernisation of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos. While any effort to improve efficiency and embrace technology in our maritime sector is commendable, such an initiative must be guided by accountability, transparency, and equity for all Nigerians.
“However, this development once again exposes a longstanding concentration of our port development only in Lagos. Nigeria’s infrastructure investment remains excessively concentrated in Lagos, often at the expense of other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne. If fully developed, these ports could enhance productivity, drive trade, create jobs, and open new economic corridors that would lift millions out of poverty across the federation.
“Around the world, countries that have decentralised port development are reaping immense economic benefits. Vietnam operates over 300 ports — from Haiphong in the north to Da Nang in the centre and Ho Chi Minh City in the south — ensuring nationwide connectivity. Indonesia boasts about 111 commercial ports distributed across its territory to guarantee balanced access to trade. South Africa maintains eight major seaports — from Durban and Richards Bay on the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and Saldanha Bay on the Atlantic — reflecting a vision of maritime inclusion. Egypt runs about 15 commercial ports along both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea coasts; Morocco has about 14 ports open to international trade, including Casablanca, Tangier Med, and Agadir, distributed along its Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines; and Algeria operates about 10 commercial ports spread across its extensive Mediterranean coast. Even Ghana, with only two major ports — Tema and Takoradi — ensured they are geographically decentralised on opposite ends of its coastline”.
The post continues: “These nations have grasped a simple truth: no country seeking to maximise its blue economy concentrates all maritime activities in a single city.
” Decentralisation reduces congestion, improves logistics, enhances national security, and promotes balanced economic growth. In Nigeria, however, more than 70 per cent of port activities are still concentrated in Lagos, burdening the city with chronic congestion, high demurrage costs, environmental degradation, and delays that discourage investors and inflate the cost of goods nationwide.
“Developing other ports is, therefore, not merely an infrastructural necessity but a national imperative. Revitalising Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne would decongest Lagos, reduce shipping costs, attract investment, create employment, and stimulate regional economies.
“As one who understands the critical link between infrastructure, trade, and national growth, I believe that a truly national blue economy must carry every region along. Beyond physical infrastructure, reform must also address corruption, reduce bureaucracy, and embrace technology to create a seamless, paperless port system that enhances turnaround time and global competitiveness. If prudently managed, the Lagos modernisation project could become a model for broader maritime transformation — a reference point from which similar development radiates across the nation.
“Now more than ever, Nigeria must rebuild with fairness, guided by equity, integrity, and a clear vision to transform our nation from one of consumption to one of production and shared prosperity”.
Reacting to Obi’s claim, Akinola stated that while the ministry welcomes constructive dialogue on national development, it was important to correct the misleading impression created by Obi’s comments.
He noted the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has consistently stated at various fora that the Federal Government is modernising and upgrading the nation’s ports comprehensively and inclusively not concentrating efforts solely in Lagos.
According to the statement, the Ministry has commenced the procurement process for the renovation and modernisation of the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne.
He noted that the projects are being undertaken alongside the Lagos port modernisation initiative which forms part of a coordinated national strategy to revitalise and expand maritime infrastructure across all regions of the country.
The statement reads in part: “In addition to these ongoing interventions, the ministry is working closely with the respective state governments and private investors to develop new deep seaports that will further strengthen the nation’s maritime capacity. These include the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State, the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, the Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State, and a deep seaport in Cross River State. Each of these projects reflects the Ministry’s commitment to balanced development and regional economic inclusion within the framework of the national blue economy.
“Furthermore, the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State, developed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), an agency under the ministry, stands as a practical example of the federal government’s efforts to decentralise port operations and expand maritime access beyond Lagos. These initiatives demonstrate a deliberate and strategic approach to strengthening Nigeria’s port network, improving logistics efficiency, and stimulating industrial and commercial growth across the federation.
“The Lagos ports modernisation project is a necessary intervention given the age and scale of trade handled through Apapa and TinCan Island. However, it is by no means the sole focus of the Federal Government’s maritime infrastructure drive. The Ministry’s ongoing efforts to upgrade, modernise, and expand other ports outside Lagos clearly affirm a nationwide commitment to developing the marine and blue economy in an equitable, sustainable, and forward-looking manner”.
The statement continues: “The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy therefore wishes to state unequivocally that Mr Peter Obi’s claim suggesting neglect of ports outside Lagos is incorrect and misleading. The Federal Government’s policies and actions clearly demonstrate a balanced and inclusive approach to port development, guided by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to promote national food security, economic diversification, and regional prosperity through the full harnessing of Nigeria’s maritime potential.
“The Ministry remains committed to transparent, accountable, and equitable maritime governance, and assures Nigerians that ongoing reforms will ensure every region of the country benefits from the opportunities inherent in the nation’s growing blue”. economy”.
