Projects in Lagos, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers target over 70% of Nigerian-bound cargo currently diverted to foreign ports

The Federal Government has approved certification and compliance processes for five proposed deep seaport projects in a strategic move to reposition Nigeria as a major maritime hub and reverse the massive diversion of its cargo to neighbouring countries.

The projects, spread across key coastal states, include 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.

Authorities say the initiative is aimed at reclaiming more than 70 per cent of Nigerian-bound cargo currently handled by ports in other African nations, a situation that has led to significant revenue losses and weakened the country’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.

The approval of certification and compliance processes marks a critical step toward the eventual development and operationalisation of the ports, ensuring they meet international maritime standards and regulatory requirements.

Industry stakeholders have long argued that Nigeria’s existing port infrastructure, particularly in Lagos, is overstretched, leading to congestion, delays, and increased cost of doing business. The development of additional deep seaports is expected to ease pressure on existing facilities while improving efficiency, turnaround time, and overall logistics performance.

The geographically distributed nature of the projects is also expected to stimulate economic growth across multiple regions, create jobs, and enhance connectivity between Nigeria’s hinterlands and global markets.

Analysts note that once completed, the deep seaports could significantly boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports, attract foreign investment, and strengthen the country’s position as a leading maritime gateway in West and Central Africa.

The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all regulatory, environmental, and technical standards are strictly adhered to as the projects progress, underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships in delivering the large-scale infrastructure.