₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Thursday announced significant progress towards the refloating of a national shipping carrier, signalling a major step in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Oyetola made the disclosure during the ministry’s three-in-one stakeholders’ engagement and performance retreat in Lagos, where he outlined ongoing efforts to boost indigenous shipping capacity.

This is even as he clarified that the Federal Government’s port modernisation programme is a nationwide initiative, dismissing concerns that the focus is restricted to Lagos.

Oyetola, while speaking at the event, said: “I am pleased to inform you that we have made significant progress towards the refloating of a national shipping carrier.”

The minister revealed that the government has secured the interest of leading international partners, including AD Ports Group and DP World, to collaborate on the initiative.

“We have secured the interest of reputable international partners who are collaborating with us to bring this vision to fruition,” he added.

According to Oyetola, the new national carrier will play a critical role in reducing dependence on foreign shipping lines, retaining maritime value within the Nigerian economy, and creating employment opportunities.

He linked the initiative to other strategic interventions, including the imminent disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, which is aimed at empowering indigenous shipowners.

“By empowering local operators, we are strengthening national capacity and positioning Nigeria for greater participation in global shipping,” he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Let me address a concern that has been raised in some quarters — that our focus is limited to Lagos ports. This is not the case.”

He disclosed that procurement processes are already underway for the modernisation of ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar, alongside the approved upgrades for Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

“We are committed to a balanced and inclusive development of port infrastructure across the country,” Oyetola emphasised.

The minister explained that the modernisation effort goes beyond infrastructure, describing it as “a transformative intervention” by the administration of President Bola Tinubu that will enhance port efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time, and improve cargo handling capacity.

He further revealed that approvals have been granted for the development of new deep seaports in Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Ondo States.

“These projects will expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, decongest existing ports, open up new economic corridors, and position our country as a leading maritime gateway in Africa,” he said.

Oyetola noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda and is expected to stimulate trade, reduce the cost of doing business, and attract investment across multiple sectors.

He however issued a firm warning to heads of agencies under his ministry, insisting on strict accountability and the delivery of tangible results.

“Let me emphasise that all departments and agencies under the ministry must remain firmly focused on delivering tangible results,” he said.

He underscored the need for data-driven decision-making, robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and alignment with the ministry’s strategic objectives.

“At the institutional level, we must remain disciplined and accountable. Every department and agency must deliver measurable outcomes,” he added.

He further explained that the retreat was designed to foster alignment between policy formulation, implementation and stakeholder expectations.

“The integration of this engagement enables us to listen, reflect and recalibrate,” he said.

The high point of the event was the signing of performance bonds between the minister and heads of agencies under the ministry.

The agencies include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Maritime Academy of Nigeria, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.

Others are the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa and Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga.

Putindbutt:
You just dropped another knife🔪 inside the hearts of Bitter people. This is the season of their high blood pressure.

God bless Nigeria.

Tjra:
I've never seen a bunch of bitter mob as those guys. Wondering what would happen to them from 2027 onwards. Dropping dead daily I guess.

Putindbutt:
You just dropped another knife🔪 inside the hearts of Bitter people. This is the season of their high blood pressure.

God bless Nigeria.

shox:
we are waiting just like we waited for nigeria air 😁

Putindbutt:
Was Nigeria Air under Tinubu?. Abeg shift.

Putindbutt:
Was Nigeria Air under Tinubu?. Abeg shift.

Putindbutt:
Bro, I dey pity some people in advance after the election. It's only God that can keep them because the height of their h8te and bitterness no be here.

Putindbutt:
You just dropped another knife🔪 inside the hearts of Bitter people. This is the season of their high blood pressure.

God bless Nigeria.

shox:
na under the same party. Abeg shift

Pakute:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/04/02/oyetola-new-national-shipping-line-underway/

Putindbutt:
You just dropped another knife🔪 inside the hearts of Bitter people. This is the season of their high blood pressure.

God bless Nigeria.

Putindbutt:
Was Nigeria Air under Tinubu?. Abeg shift.

press9jatv:
Wow this is fantastic. Oyetola is doing well in that ministry.

Tjra:
I've never seen a bunch of bitter mob as those guys. Wondering what would happen to them from 2027 onwards. Dropping dead daily I guess.

PappyRome:
But when will you people ever have sense. It is the same you people that were laughing at Tinubu that Buhari regime sidelined him understand the same APC so all Buhari did had nothing to do with Tinubu. Now Tinubu has come to do things differently which Buhari refused to do and same bitter hearted dot people will never like to hear anything good news. Always hoping for bad news just to insult the government. I never really loved the APC government before but then I began to see some level of maturity in Tinubu's leadership and I realized that PO and Obidients would be the worst thing that could happen to Nigeria. It will be far better to even have Atiku as president or a Northerner than ever having an Easterner because it will become a sad Nigeria.

sulaak:
You should first ask what happened to Nigeria's shipping line, which was established in the 1970s. The Nigerian government cannot manage a toilet

thisisit:
This reminds me of SCAMS such as:

1. Lagos State N24 billion Imota rice mill Epe.
2. Buhari Rice Pyramid - Abuja..
3. Nigeria Airways -- Under Buhari
4. Tucano Jet fighters
5. Revamping of Warri Seaport by Oyetola

EVERYTHING ... NAH SCAM INCLUDING THIS SHIPPING SHIT!

Pakute:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/04/02/oyetola-new-national-shipping-line-underway/

press9jatv:
Wow this is fantastic. Oyetola is doing well in that ministry.