The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has strongly refuted assertions by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi that the Federal Government’s $1 billion modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos signals neglect of other regions, describing the claim as “incorrect and misleading.”
In a detailed statement issued on Wednesday, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communication, emphasised that the ministry values constructive criticism but must set the record straight on the government’s comprehensive port development strategy.
“Minister Adegboyega Oyetola has repeatedly affirmed that the Federal Government is upgrading ports across the country in an inclusive and coordinated manner not concentrating solely on Lagos,” Akinola said.
He revealed that procurement processes are already underway for the renovation and modernisation of ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne, running concurrently with the Lagos initiative as part of a holistic national maritime revival plan.
Beyond rehabilitation, the ministry is collaborating with state governments and private investors to establish new deep seaports, including the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers, and a planned facility in Cross River State.
Akinola also pointed to the Onitsha River Port in Anambra, developed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), an agency under the ministry as tangible proof of decentralised infrastructure investment.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to extending maritime access and economic opportunities beyond Lagos,” he noted.
While acknowledging the strategic importance of modernising Apapa and Tin Can-Nigeria’s busiest gateways handling the bulk of national trade, Akinola stressed that these upgrades are just one component of a broader vision.
“The Lagos project addresses critical capacity and efficiency needs, but it is far from the government’s only focus,” he clarified.
The rebuttal aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises equitable growth, food security, and economic diversification through the blue economy.
“Every region will benefit from these reforms,” Akinola assured, adding that ongoing efforts reflect a sustainable, forward-looking approach to harnessing Nigeria’s maritime potential.
The ministry urged stakeholders to recognise the government’s balanced investments and dismissed any narrative suggesting regional bias in infrastructure development.
