By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a major step towards the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport, saying the project will strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create new opportunities for economic growth.
Oyetola disclosed this in a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, following an engagement with APM Terminals in Copenhagen, Denmark.
According to him, he led a Federal Government delegation to engage APM Terminals on the proposed project, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Badagry Port Development Limited for exclusive negotiations on the development of the deep seaport.
He said the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport would provide additional deepwater capacity, accommodate larger container vessels, increase cargo-handling capacity and create new transshipment opportunities for Nigeria and the wider West African market.
Oyetola noted that the project would also generate employment and skills-development opportunities for Nigerian youths across the maritime value chain, including port operations, logistics, transportation, manufacturing, warehousing and other support services.
The minister said Badagry formed part of the Federal Government’s broader plan to establish a network of modern deep seaports across Nigeria’s coastline.
He listed other deep-seaport projects being advanced by the government as those located in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states.
Oyetola explained that, unlike traditional river ports, deep seaports are designed around naturally deep-draft channels capable of accommodating some of the world’s largest vessels.
He said the development would significantly enhance Nigeria’s ability to handle larger ships and increased cargo volumes, improve connectivity and position the country as a major maritime and transshipment hub for West and Central Africa.
The minister, however, stressed that the government was also committed to upgrading Nigeria’s existing legacy seaports.
He said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy had obtained the necessary approvals to modernise and upgrade the facilities, ensuring that existing port infrastructure continued to support the country’s growing economy while new deepwater capacity was being developed.
According to him, the combined investments in new and existing port infrastructure would strengthen Nigeria’s supply chains, improve trade efficiency, reduce pressure on existing city ports and enhance the country’s competitiveness as a destination for international business.
Oyetola said maritime infrastructure development remained central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s determination to position Nigeria as West Africa’s premier trade and logistics hub.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to create an enabling environment for responsible and long-term private-sector investment in the maritime sector.
“Through strategic public-private partnerships, we can unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, attract capital, create decent jobs, stimulate economic activity and drive sustainable economic growth,” he said.
The minister added that the government would continue to work with investors and partners who share its vision of building a stronger, more competitive and prosperous Nigeria.
