By Seun ibiyemi
The Federal government through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has unveiled a new National Marine and Blue Economy Policy designed to cut logistics costs, boost trade competitiveness, and attract private sector investment into the transport and maritime sectors.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Director Maritime Services Department of Federal of Marine & Blue Economy, Dr. Mrs Mercy Ilori disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Nigeria Transport Sector Annual Summit organised by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
He explained that the policy provides a framework for seamless intermodal integration across road, rail, barge, and pipeline channels, aimed at transforming Nigeria into a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
“By lowering the cost of doing business, improving turnaround times, and creating an enabling environment for private capital, we are positioning Nigeria as a preferred logistics destination in Africa,” Oyetola said.
The minister highlighted key interventions already underway, including the operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line for port cargo evacuation, expansion of barge operations at Lagos and Onne ports, completion of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway, and the commissioning of the 27km Lekki Port Access Road. He also pointed to the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, and Funtua to ease pressure on seaports and support regional economies.
Oyetola stressed that the success of the reforms depends on collaboration among shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, investors, and regulators, adding that Nigeria must adopt digital, green, and climate-resilient logistics solutions to remain competitive globally.