The Federal Government has approved the modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and improve trade efficiency.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the approval in a post on X on September 27, 2026.
According to Oyetola, the decision builds on the earlier approval for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
He said expanding the programme beyond Lagos would help reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos ports while creating additional gateways for international trade.
The minister said upgraded infrastructure and improved operational efficiency at the four ports would enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
Oyetola said the ports would play strategic roles in Nigeria’s trade, industrial and regional development as the country seeks to expand its maritime capacity.
The Federal Government has also approved the development of several new deep seaports, including Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” Oyetola said.
He added that the government’s broader objective was to develop an integrated maritime and logistics system linking ports with roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure.
The minister said the government would work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure the projects deliver improvements across the marine and blue economy.
Lagos Ports Record Improvement
The latest approval follows a reported improvement in the performance of Nigeria’s major Lagos ports.
The World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 2025 Container Port Performance Index placed Tin Can Island Port 10th globally and Lagos Port 12th among ports that recorded the highest improvements between 2020 and 2025.
Tin Can Island Port improved its CPPI score by 42 points, from -68 in 2020 to -26 in 2025, while Lagos Port improved by 35 points, from -61 to -26.
The Federal Government is also pursuing the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports under a £746 million financing agreement signed in London in March 2026.
The development of the four additional ports is expected to broaden Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure beyond Lagos and support the government’s efforts to expand trade and logistics capacity.
