₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced the procurement process for the modernisation of seaports outside Lagos, as part of efforts to ensure balanced development across the nation’s maritime gateways.

Oyetola stated this on Wednesday at the 2025 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria Conference, themed “Enhancing Logistics and Transport for a Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria,” held in Lagos.

Represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Minister said the ongoing port modernisation drive is aimed at upgrading infrastructure, improving cargo handling efficiency, and expanding capacity to meet global standards.

“We are working closely with all stakeholders to achieve a paperless, technology-driven port environment that enhances efficiency, reduces turnaround time, and curbs corruption,” Oyetola said.

“As part of this commitment, the Federal Government has approved a one billion US dollar modernisation project for the Lagos ports — a landmark initiative designed to upgrade infrastructure, improve cargo handling, and expand capacity to meet global standards.

“In addition, the procurement process has commenced for similar modernisation projects at ports outside Lagos, to ensure balanced development across our maritime gateways.”

Oyetola explained that the initiatives reflect the administration’s determination to boost logistics performance and competitiveness within the marine and transport sectors, positioning Nigeria as a preferred hub for maritime trade and investment.

He further noted that through strategic interventions such as the Deep Blue Project, Nigeria has sustained a record of zero piracy incidents in the past three years.

“Since the inception of the Ministry, we have focused on strategic reform and institutional strengthening. With the Deep Blue Project and other interventions, we are safeguarding our maritime domain to encourage investment and reduce the cost of doing business.

I am glad to inform you that for more than three years, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents on its waterways,” he said.


The Minister also revealed that the government has developed a comprehensive 10-year National Blue Economy Strategy to align maritime, fisheries, logistics, and coastal development policies within a unified, sustainable framework.

According to him, the Ministry is creating an enabling environment for private sector investment through regulatory reforms, public-private partnerships (PPP), and targeted incentives aimed at driving innovation and job creation across the value chain.

Oyetola stressed that the Ministry’s overarching goal is to promote sustainable and inclusive growth — one that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and social equity.

“Our goal is not growth for growth’s sake, but sustainable and inclusive growth — one that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and social equity,” he said.

“Therefore, I urge CILT and its members to continue to champion the adoption of smart and green transport technologies; promote capacity building for young professionals and operators; advocate for data-driven planning in logistics management; and deepen collaboration with the Ministry and other stakeholders to align expertise with national priorities.”
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Meanwhile, the President of CILT Nigeria, Mfon Usoro, announced a 242 percent increase in the Institute’s revenue over the past four years, reflecting the success of ongoing financial reforms and governance initiatives.

According to her, CILT’s revenue rose from ₦7.8 million in December 2021 to ₦55 million in the third quarter of 2025, while its liquid assets grew from ₦17 million in early 2022 to ₦123 million as of Q3 2025.

She attributed the growth to sound financial discipline, accountability, and strategic oversight, adding that all projects and expenditures now pass through the Finance, Budget, and Audit Committee for review.

“Every disbursement request is scrutinised and audited quarterly. The outcome has been phenomenal,” she noted.


Usoro revealed that the Council has approved the adoption of a modern Accounting Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to enhance transparency and streamline audits.

She said CILT’s transformation agenda—launched in 2021—has focused on governance reforms, membership expansion, and digitalisation, all of which have delivered tangible progress.

Established in 1958, CILT Nigeria operates under the global CILT network headquartered in the United Kingdom and serves as the professional body for logistics and transport practitioners in Nigeria.

“Accountability and transparency remain our watchwords. The improvement in our financial standing reflects the confidence and trust of our members,” Usoro said.

The 2025 annual conference brought together industry leaders, academics, and policymakers to discuss sustainable transport systems, digitalisation in logistics, and the Blue Economy.

okrote4real:
https://punchng.com/procurement-for-port-modernisation-outside-lagos-commences-oyetola-2/?amp

Karlman:
Lol
APC and lies
Anyway the news is for their hungry laptop minions and not for consumption by any Nigerian with their sense intact.

So what will you now call PDP

PDP had 16yrs to build a standard port for southeast.
Out of that 16years GEJ and OKONJO IWEAALA had 6yrs..ekweremadu was deputy senate president for 12yrs....yet not effort to address the alleged "Lagos port conspiracy ".....infant,dankuku Peterside was NIMASA chairman for good 4years

Today their kinsmen blame nobody for lack of thriving eastern coast port but Tinubu that just spent 2yrs and yoruba/Fulanis.

KEVIND:
How long will this deceit continue, this is all Audio port Modernization.
All i know is Tinubu will not try it because that's will be the end of Lagos state as the commercial hub.
But never worry, a selfless leader will someday emerge in Nigeria who will decouple the Lagos port so ports in other regions will breath, so, for now let the lies & deceit continue

owobokiri:
The Problem is that IT COSTS MORE TO CLEAR YOUR GOODS in other ports outside Lagos.

This is the main problem since the end of the war. It costs more to clear in Calabar or Onne. I mean tye freight charges.

Deu to federal government levies and charges, it is cheaper for importers to land their goods in Lagos.

These are inbuilt federal government maritime policies post civil war that were dubiously deployed to tighten the grip on the Eastern ports. Unfortunately, those anti business policies have continued to add to the costs of doing business in these areas till these days..

If you have shipped from China, you would have noticed that most foreign shippers will be pratically begging you to use Lagos ports. This is because the federal government has used administrative measures to make it easier and cheaper for these ships to land in Lagos..

I am not deluded. I am a realistic person..
I don't think that this very government that is alarmingly pro Lagos/Southwest will be the one to free eastern ports.
That will happen someday but certainly not under the the administration of the most tribal president in Nigerias history..
So you guys should watch how you beleive whatever that was written up there...

hafeeanubasy:
So what will you now call PDP

PDP had 16yrs to build a standard port for southeast.
Out of that 16years GEJ and OKONJO IWEAALA had 6yrs..ekweremadu was deputy senate president for 12yrs....yet not effort to address the alleged "Lagos port conspiracy ".....infant,dankuku Peterside was NIMASA chairman for good 4years

Today their kinsmen blame nobody for lack of thriving eastern coast port but Tinubu that just spent 2yrs and yoruba/Fulanis.

owobokiri:
The Problem is that IT COSTS MORE TO CLEAR YOUR GOODS in other ports outside Lagos.

This is the main problem since the end of the war. It costs more to clear in Calabar or Onne. I mean tye freight charges.

Deu to federal government levies and charges, it is cheaper for importers to land their goods in Lagos.

These are inbuilt federal government maritime policies post civil war that were dubiously deployed to tighten the grip on the Eastern ports. Unfortunately, those anti business policies have continued to add to the costs of doing business in these areas till these days..

If you have shipped from China, you would have noticed that most foreign shippers will be pratically begging you to use Lagos ports. This is because the federal government has used administrative measures to make it easier and cheaper for these ships to land in Lagos..

I am not deluded. I am a realistic person..
I don't think that this very government that is alarmingly pro Lagos/Southwest will be the one to free eastern ports.
That will happen someday but certainly not under the the administration of the most tribal president in Nigerias history..
So you guys should watch how you beleive whatever that was written up there...

Karlman:
First of all, it's not a conspiracy. 80% of goods cleared in lagos is owned by Igbos. The only conspiracy is the one been perpetuated by government to make sure goods are cleared only in lagos for whatever reasons known to them including and especially to make sure they didn't open up other regions for development.

owobokiri:
The Problem is that IT COSTS MORE TO CLEAR YOUR GOODS in other ports outside Lagos.

This is the main problem since the end of the war. It costs more to clear in Calabar or Onne. I mean tye freight charges.

Deu to federal government levies and charges, it is cheaper for importers to land their goods in Lagos.

These are inbuilt federal government maritime policies post civil war that were dubiously deployed to tighten the grip on the Eastern ports. Unfortunately, those anti business policies have continued to add to the costs of doing business in these areas till these days..

If you have shipped from China, you would have noticed that most foreign shippers will be pratically begging you to use Lagos ports. This is because the federal government has used administrative measures to make it easier and cheaper for these ships to land in Lagos..

I am not deluded. I am a realistic person..
I don't think that this very government that is alarmingly pro Lagos/Southwest will be the one to free eastern ports.
That will happen someday but certainly not under the the administration of the most tribal president in Nigerias history..
So you guys should watch how you beleive whatever that was written up there...

okrote4real:
https://punchng.com/procurement-for-port-modernisation-outside-lagos-commences-oyetola-2/?amp

Ttalk:
Stop lying, Federal government doesn't charge different cost in different ports in Nigeria.

Any extra cost incurred can only be attribute to local charges which has nothing to do with the unified charges by FG across all the ports in Nigeria.

You guys have been misrepresenting information regarding why other ports are not being patronized like the ones in Lagos