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Nigeria Pushes Port Expansion Drive to Dominate Regional Trade – Oyetola

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria has set its sights on becoming the dominant trade and logistics hub in West and Central Africa, with plans underway to expand port capacity and overhaul key aspects of the maritime sector.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, outlined the government’s direction while declaring open the mid-year session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme, “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development”, on Monday in Lagos.

The Minister said fresh approvals had been granted for new deep seaports across the country, aimed at boosting infrastructure and strengthening supply chains.

He said: “Approvals have therefore been granted for the development of additional deep seaports across the country to complement existing infrastructure, strengthen supply chain resilience, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as the preferred maritime and logistics hub for West and Central Africa”.

Dr. Oyetola also pointed to ongoing efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to modernise port operations through infrastructure upgrades, digital systems and improved efficiency.

According to him, coordinated policies and closer collaboration among agencies have eased longstanding challenges at the ports.

The minister who highlighted the National Single Window project as a key reform designed to simplify cargo clearance by integrating government processes digitally, further disclosed that existing ports would be upgraded, including the deepening of channels to accommodate larger vessels.

“These efforts have contributed to improved cargo evacuation, reduced vessel waiting time, greater operational efficiency, and a more predictable business environment for port users and investors.

“These upgrades are critical to ensuring that our ports remain globally competitive and capable of supporting larger volumes of trade in the years ahead”,he added.

On security, Dr Oyetola said the Deep Blue Project had successfully tackled piracy in Nigerian waters and significantly curtailed maritime crime across the Gulf of Guinea, helping to restore investor confidence in the region.

He therefore urged participants at the conference to focus on initiatives that would “strengthen logistical resilience in port operations and regional supply chains,” while also promoting sustainability, innovation and inclusive growth tied to maritime activities.

In his remarks, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and President of PMAWCA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the sub-region was experiencing renewed momentum in port development, with investments exceeding 27 billion dollars either underway or recently announced.

He listed several major projects, including the Simandou-Morebaya Deep Sea Port in Guinea, the Port San Pedro project in Côte d’Ivoire, the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos, as well as developments in Ghana and Senegal.

He also noted continued investment in Nigeria’s Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, alongside a significant commitment from APM Terminals.

Dantsoho said ports must evolve beyond their traditional function as transit points for cargo and play a broader role in advancing the blue economy.

According to him, “the future of the sector lies in areas such as renewable marine energy, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism and marine biotechnology”.

The event, which runs from 18 to 20 May 2026, drew a wide range of participants, including the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Kefas Agbu, representatives of the Lagos State Government, business leaders such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and senior presidential advisers among others.

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Ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai was re-arraigned on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services for allegations of illegally tapping the phone of the National Security Adviser.

He arrived at the court around 8:55 a.m. under heavy security.

DSS operatives cordoned off the complex and restricted access, temporarily blocking journalists, court staff, and the public from entering.

The move sparked a brief protest at the gate.

Activist and former AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore led the protest, arguing that “el-Rufai’s arraignment should not deny Nigerians access to a public facility.”

A source at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission said DSS operatives picked el-Rufai up from its facility at 7:00 a.m. ahead of the arraignment.

“The case is not ours. DSS operatives came to pick him up around 7:00 a.m. for arraignment,” the source said.

The re-arraignment relates to claims that el-Rufai authorised or was involved in tapping the NSA’s phone.

The case has added to ongoing political and legal tensions around the former governor.

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A member of the National Youth Service Corps, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulmumin Adeiza, has reportedly died in Zamfara State barely seven days before the completion of his mandatory one-year national service.

The late corps member was serving at Yarima Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau before his sudden death on May 13, 2026.

According to reports, Adeiza, who was a medical doctor, allegedly slumped around 1:00 p.m. after stepping out with a colleague to purchase a plastic bottle.

A friend of the deceased, Engr. Habibu Nura, disclosed that the young doctor passed away about an hour later, leaving colleagues and loved ones in shock.

Nura explained that there had been no visible sign of illness prior to the incident, adding that they had spent time together shortly before the tragic development.

According to him, the deceased appeared healthy and cheerful, as they had been laughing and chatting barely one hour before his death.

The Information and Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Ministry of Health, Suleiman Isah, confirmed the incident in an official statement issued on Wednesday.

The statement noted that the Zamfara State Government sympathised with the NYSC and the family of the deceased over the painful loss.

“Zamfara State Government has condoled with the National Youth Service Corps and the family of Dr. Ibrahim Abdulmumin Adeiza, a corps member serving at Yarima Bakura Specialist Hospital, who passed away while carrying out his national service duties,” the statement read.

The Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State, Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, also expressed sadness over the death of the young doctor, describing it as a huge loss to the health sector and the state.

According to the commissioner, the late corps member was known for his dedication, hard work and commitment to saving lives.

She prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, while also asking God to comfort his family, friends, colleagues and members of the NYSC community during the difficult period.