The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has renewed calls for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s seaports, arguing that concentrating port infrastructure in Lagos stifles economic growth and undermines national development.
Reacting to the Federal Government’s approval of ₦1.5 trillion ($1 billion) for the modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports, both in Lagos, Obi said while the investment is commendable, it highlights Nigeria’s persistent failure to distribute infrastructure projects equitably across the country.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, titled “The Imperative of Diversifying Port Development in Nigeria,” Obi said that “any effort to improve efficiency and embrace technology in our maritime sector is commendable,” but stressed that such initiatives “must be guided by accountability, transparency, and equity for all Nigerians.”
He criticised the overconcentration of port activities in Lagos, noting that over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s maritime trade is handled there, while other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne remain underdeveloped.
“Nigeria’s infrastructure investment remains excessively concentrated in Lagos, often at the expense of other strategic ports,” Obi wrote. “If fully developed, these ports could enhance productivity, drive trade, create jobs, and open new economic corridors that would lift millions out of poverty.”
Drawing comparisons with other countries, Obi cited examples of Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Ghana, all of which operate multiple seaports distributed across different regions to ensure balanced economic growth and nationwide connectivity.
He argued that these countries “have grasped a simple truth — no nation seeking to maximise its blue economy concentrates all maritime activities in a single city.” According to him, port decentralisation helps reduce congestion, improve logistics, enhance national security, and promote balanced development.
Obi warned that the overburdening of Lagos with maritime traffic leads to “chronic congestion, high demurrage costs, environmental degradation, and delays that discourage investors and inflate the cost of goods nationwide.”
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the development of other ports to complement Lagos, saying it would reduce shipping costs, attract investments, and stimulate regional economies.
“Developing other ports is not merely an infrastructural necessity but a national imperative,” Obi stated. “Revitalising Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne would decongest Lagos and strengthen our economy.”
Obi also called for broader reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector, including tackling corruption, cutting bureaucracy, and embracing digital technology to achieve a seamless, paperless port system.
He concluded by urging the government to approach infrastructure development with fairness and integrity.
“Now more than ever, Nigeria must rebuild with fairness, guided by equity, integrity, and a clear vision to transform our nation from one of consumption to one of production and shared prosperity,” he said.
