The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has said the Federal Government has taken a major step towards advancing Nigeria’s maritime and economic development following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport project.
Oyetola disclosed that he led a Federal Government delegation to Copenhagen, Denmark, where the team held engagements with APM Terminals and APMT Apapa on the proposed development of the port.
The visit culminated in the signing of an MoU with Badagry Port Development Limited for exclusive negotiations on the project.
According to the Minister, the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport is expected to provide additional deepwater capacity for Nigeria and accommodate larger container vessels, while increasing cargo-handling capacity and creating new transshipment opportunities.
Oyetola said the project would also strengthen Nigeria’s position in the West African maritime market and support the country’s ambition to become a major trade and logistics hub.
“In Copenhagen, Denmark, we took an important step towards unlocking a new chapter in Nigeria’s maritime and economic development,” the Minister said.
He explained that the development of the proposed seaport would create opportunities for young Nigerians through jobs, skills development, investment and enterprise across different areas of the maritime value chain.
“For our teeming youth, it means more opportunities for jobs, skills development, investment and enterprise across the maritime value chain,” he said.
According to Oyetola, the opportunities would extend beyond port operations to areas such as logistics, transportation, manufacturing, warehousing and other support services.
He added that the Badagry project forms part of the Federal Government’s wider plan to develop a network of modern deep seaports across Nigeria’s coastline.
The Minister said the government was also advancing work on deep seaport projects in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states.
He noted that unlike traditional river ports, the proposed deep seaports are designed around naturally deep-draft channels capable of receiving some of the world’s largest vessels.
“This will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to handle larger ships, increase cargo volumes, improve connectivity and position our country as a major maritime and transshipment hub for West and Central Africa,” Oyetola stated.
The Minister also said the Federal Government was not overlooking the country’s existing seaports, disclosing that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy had obtained the necessary approvals to modernise and upgrade legacy port facilities.
According to him, the upgrades would ensure that existing infrastructure continues to support Nigeria’s growing economy while new deepwater capacity is being developed.
Oyetola said the combination of new deep seaports and improved existing facilities would strengthen supply chains, improve trade efficiency and reduce pressure on ports located in major cities.
“Together, these investments will strengthen our supply chains, improve the efficiency of trade, ease pressure on existing city ports and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as a destination for international business,” he said.
He added that the development of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure remains central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s determination to position the country as West Africa’s leading trade and logistics hub.
The proposed Badagry Deep Seaport, if developed, is expected to become part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to expand maritime capacity, improve regional connectivity and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment and employment across the country.