By Kayode Oladipupo
How Nigeria’s maritime assets can strengthen the Renewed Hope Agenda, unlock the $1 trillion economy ambition and create jobs and shared prosperity.
Nigeria’s journey towards a $1 trillion economy will require more than macroeconomic reforms, fiscal discipline and monetary stability. It will require productive infrastructure that connects investment to production, production to markets and economic growth to improved livelihoods. Few assets offer this opportunity as strategically as the country’s seaports.
For too long, Nigeria has treated its seaports largely as gateways for international trade and centres of government revenue collection. Their greater economic significance, however, lies in their capacity to stimulate industrialisation, expand exports, attract foreign investment, create employment and strengthen regional competitiveness. Properly developed and efficiently managed, seaports can become powerful engines of national economic transformation.
The Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its $1 trillion economy ambition by 2030 provide an opportunity to reposition the maritime sector as a central pillar of economic development. The proposed integrated maritime corridor connecting Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states could become a major catalyst for this transformation.
From port infrastructure to economic diversification
Nigeria’s existing maritime infrastructure demonstrates the scale of the opportunity. In 2025, cargo throughput increased by 24.8 per cent to 129.3 million metric tonnes, while container traffic exceeded 2.1 million TEUs. Lekki accounted for 40.6 per cent of national cargo throughput, followed by Onne at 19.1 per cent and Apapa at 16.7 per cent.
These figures reflect growing maritime activity, but the real test is how effectively this growth translates into domestic production, export earnings, investment and employment.
The emergence of Lekki Deep Sea Port, alongside the strategic importance of Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne, demonstrates the potential of modern port infrastructure. However, Nigeria must expand this capacity through a coordinated national maritime development strategy.
The emerging opportunities: Ibom, Ogun and the Niger Delta
The proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port represents a significant opportunity for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved its establishment on November 6, 2026. Its successful development could strengthen maritime trade in the Gulf of Guinea, support industrial investment, expand export capacity and create new economic opportunities across the Niger Delta.
The proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port in Ogun State is equally strategic. The Ogun State Government and DP World signed agreements in September 2026 for the development of the port and a 10,000-hectare Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. The proposed investment exceeds $7 billion, with projected capacity to create more than 50,000 direct jobs, alongside additional indirect employment opportunities.
These projects should not be viewed as isolated state initiatives. They are potential components of a national industrial and logistics network.
Onne Port, with its strategic importance to the oil and gas industry, should be further developed as a major maritime, energy and industrial hub. Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar ports also deserve renewed investment and operational modernisation. Together, these facilities can distribute economic opportunities, reduce excessive concentration of port activities and stimulate industrial development across Nigeria’s coastal regions.
Creating jobs and improving livelihoods
The employment potential of seaport development extends far beyond dockworkers, customs officials and shipping personnel. It encompasses manufacturing, agro-processing, warehousing, transportation, ship repairs, marine engineering, freight forwarding, hospitality, fisheries and other blue economy activities.
More importantly, ports can stimulate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. Transport operators, food processors, suppliers, equipment maintenance companies, logistics businesses and local service providers can participate in the expanding maritime value chain.
The development of industrial parks, export-processing zones and logistics clusters around these ports would encourage businesses to locate closer to production and distribution networks. This can create sustainable jobs, increase household incomes and improve livelihoods.
What must be done to realise the potential?
Infrastructure investment alone will not guarantee economic transformation. Nigeria must address the institutional and operational constraints that undermine port competitiveness.
First, port administration must become more efficient through digital clearance systems, transparent charges and effective implementation of the National Single Window.
Second, seaports must be connected to functional railways, access roads, inland dry ports and waterways to facilitate efficient cargo evacuation.
Third, government must encourage private-sector investment through predictable regulations, credible public-private partnerships and transparent concession arrangements.
Fourth, port development must be integrated with manufacturing, agriculture, energy and export strategies. The objective should be to produce more locally, process more domestically and export competitively.
Finally, the Federal Government must establish measurable performance indicators covering cargo clearance, logistics costs, export growth, investment, employment and local economic participation.
The policy imperative
The $1 trillion economy ambition must ultimately translate into more than impressive GDP figures. It must create productive opportunities, strengthen businesses, generate decent employment and improve the purchasing power and living conditions of Nigerians.
Nigeria does not merely need more seaports; it needs an integrated maritime economy. The Renewed Hope Agenda must therefore move beyond constructing infrastructure to creating productive economic ecosystems around it.
Our seaports should become gateways to industrialisation, engines of employment and instruments of regional economic integration.
The journey to a $1 trillion economy will require multiple engines of growth. Nigeria’s seaports must become some of its most powerful.
Oladipupo a Public Policy Advocate is also MD/CEO Kemkay Consult. He writes from Akure Ondo State Nigeria