Akakan Umoh
The recent President Bola Tinubu’s approval of certification and compliance procedures for five proposed deep seaport projects in five states, targeting the recovery of over 70 per cent of Nigerian-bound cargo currently handled by neighbouring African countries has not settled well with many.
The five are the Badagry Deep Sea Port in Lagos State, Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ondo State, Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State, Bakassi Deep Sea Port in Cross River State and Bonny Deep Sea Port in Rivers State.
In Akwa Ibom, the announcement has not settled with many people who have heard severally about Federal Government’s approval of Ibom Deep Seaport.
Also read: Ibom Deep Seaport development, not a sprint but a marathon- Gov Eno
Mr. Idorenyin Aquaisua, an analyst with Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo said ‘‘We are more confused with the approval. We heard about the approval during the era of ex-Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. Why is this approval now?’’
Speaking during radio interview on Tuesday, May 26, Aquaisua said ‘‘We need some level of clarity. Government should tell us that this is not a scam. What happened to the several approvals in the past? Were the approvals invalidated?”
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, announced this last week during the 2026 Graduation Ceremony of 492 newly trained Advanced Combat Personnel and the Capability Presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks, Elele, Rivers State.
Speaking at the passing-out parade, Oyetola said the Federal Government’s approval of certification and compliance processes for five proposed deep seaport projects underscores its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and securing the nation’s position as a leading shipping and logistics hub in Africa.
The approval, the Minister said, is expected to accelerate regulatory clearances and pave the way for the development of modern port infrastructure capable of handling large cargo vessels, reducing congestion at existing seaports and boosting international trade activities.
Represented by the Director of Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyinloye Meshack, he explained that the initiative is also designed to reclaim over 70 per cent of Nigerian-bound cargo currently diverted to neighbouring African countries due to port capacity limitations, congestion, high turnaround time and inadequate infrastructure at some of the nation’s existing gateways.
The Minister said, “The projects are further expected to enhance regional trade competitiveness, lower the cost of doing business, improve export potential and support the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda. Analysts say the development could reduce pressure on ports in Lagos while opening up new economic corridors in coastal states earmarked for the projects.
“With global shipping increasingly shifting towards larger vessels that require deeper draught channels, the proposed ports are seen as critical infrastructure needed to position Nigeria for future trade expansion and continental commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
Dantsoho confirms the approval
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, had explained that although negotiations with investors were still ongoing due to the huge financial commitments required for such port projects, the government had already laid the regulatory and administrative groundwork necessary for implementation.
Dantsoho, who is also the President of PMAWCA, stated this on Wednesday at the close of a three-day Meeting of Managing Directors of Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Member Ports and the Port Statisticians Network held in Lagos.
“In terms of approvals, certifications and compliance issues, we have taken care of five different deep-sea ports in Nigeria,” Dantsoho said.
He said the planned port projects are expected to improve Nigeria’s ability to receive larger cargo vessels, expand trade capacity and strengthen regional logistics, noting that the country’s growing population, expanding economy and strategic role in servicing neighbouring landlocked countries make investment in deep seaports inevitable.
According to him, Nigeria currently accounts for over 70 per cent of cargo traffic within the West and Central African sub-region, while countries such as Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso also depend partly on Nigerian ports for international trade access.
Dantsoho further stated that the government was pursuing a combination of short, medium and long-term strategies to improve port efficiency, including rehabilitation of existing ports, deployment of technology-driven systems and development of new deep-sea infrastructure.
He added that countries across the sub-region, including Ghana, Senegal and Benin Republic, were also modernising their port facilities in response to rising global shipping demands and competition.
Dantsoho said member countries are intensifying investments in port infrastructure, technology and deep seaport development to strengthen trade facilitation and position the region as a major global maritime hub.
The PMAWCA President stressed that ports across the sub-region must undergo aggressive modernisation to remain competitive with other global maritime hubs, cautioning that delays in infrastructure renewal could leave Africa behind in global shipping and trade.
On the resolution of the meeting, Dantsoho said member states had resolved to deepen the deployment of technology-driven solutions, including the National Single Window platform and Port Community Systems, to improve cargo clearance processes and reduce delays at ports.
Lending a voice to the approval, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno appreciated party members for the support given to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the APC primaries.
Governor Eno on the FG’s approval
Speaking at a special worship and thanksgiving session in Uyo on Sunday during celebration of the promotion of his son-in-law, Edidiong Ufot, to the rank of Flight Captain, Eno said the President was fulfilling promises made to him, including that of listing the Ibom Deep Seaport for priority attention.
He noted that the recent listing has renewed investor confidence, with some investors who previously withdrew re-indicating interest in the project.
The Governor called on the citizenry to continue to support President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, for the state to benefit more from the federal government.
Akwa Ibom Got FG’s approval in 2020
Recall that in 2020, the Federal Government approved the commencement of Ibom Deep Seaport at Ibaka, in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Then Akwa Ibom Information Commissioner, Ini Ememobong, who confirmed this in a statement he issued in Uyo, said the approval was given during the Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja in December 2020.
He said the approval was facilitated by the vigorous push by the Udom Emmanuel led administration, adding it would signal the full commencement of business in the port.
He thanked then President Muhammadu Buhari, vice president, Prof Yemi Obasanjo, as well as other relevant authorities and persons who saw to the realisation of the project, adding that Emmanuel would soon lay out a full scale implementation plan for the deep sea port.
Until he left the office, the governor did not lay a full-scale implementation plan for the deep seaport the foundation.
Ememobong said, ‘‘This approval is coming on the heels of the vigorous push by the Udom Emmanuel led administration for the actualisation of this long awaited vision.”
