From left: Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, and President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa PMAWCA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, during the opening ceremony of the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of PMAWCA hosted by NPA Monday, on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the development of new deep seaports across the country as part of measures to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve the country’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry.

The Minister, who spoke in Lagos, Monday when he officially flagged off the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa PMAWCA, also disclosed that Nigeria is aggressively expanding its existing port capacity, while implementing major maritime reforms aimed at positioning the country as the leading trade and logistics hub in West and Central African region.

“Approvals have therefore been granted for the development of additional deep seaports across the country to complement existing infrastructure, strengthen supply chain resilience, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as the preferred maritime and logistics hub for West and Central Africa.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to modernising the nation’s seaports through infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation and improved operational efficiency.

“There have been coordinated policy interventions and stronger inter-agency collaboration, which have significantly reduced logistics bottlenecks at the nation’s major seaports.

“These efforts have contributed to improved cargo evacuation, reduced vessel waiting time, greater operational efficiency, and a more predictable business environment for port users and investors”, the Minister said.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, the government has embarked on a comprehensive upgrade of the country’s existing seaports, which would include deepening of the channels to attract larger vessels.

While commenting on the recent flag off of Federal Government’s National Single Window NSW, project, the Minister said the initiative remains a landmark reform designed to streamline cargo clearance through digital integration of government agencies and port operations.

He described these upgrades as being crucial to ensuring the nation’s seaports remain globally competitive and capable of supporting larger volumes of trade in the years ahead.

Oyetola, who also spoke on the efforts of the government at enhancing maritime security, said the implementation of the Deep Blue Project has eliminated piracy not only on Nigerian waters, but also across the Gulf of Guinea region, and has drastically reduced maritime crimes across the entire region. He noted that the achievement had restored investors’ confidence and strengthened the region’s attractiveness as a secure maritime corridor for international trade and commerce.

He charged delegates to advance initiatives that would “strengthen logistical resilience in port operations and regional supply chains,” while also promoting sustainable port management, innovation, digital transformation and inclusive community development linked to maritime activities.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, and President of PMAWCA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who earlier delivered a welcome speech, said West and Central Africa was witnessing a major resurgence in maritime infrastructure investment, with more than $27 billion worth of port projects underway or recently announced across the sub-region.

The PMAWCA President cited major projects including the $20 billion Simandou-Morebaya Deep Sea Port project in Guinea, the $2 billion Port San Pedro project in Côte d’Ivoire, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos, and port developments in Ghana and Senegal.

He also cited ongoing investments in expanding port infrastructure in Nigeria’s Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports Complexes, alongside a $600 million investment by APM Terminals.

He said ports in West and Central Africa must move beyond their traditional role as cargo gateways and become drivers of broader blue economy growth.

“The future of the sector lies in areas such as renewable marine energy, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism and marine biotechnology”, Dr. Dantsoho said.

The theme of the strategic meeting, which began Monday, May 18, 2026 is: “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development, and it is expected to end May 20, 2026.

The event was graced by the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Kefas Agbu; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner of Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi. Others include Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and Special Adviser on Policy Coordination to the President, Hadiza Bala Usman, among several others.