By: Kareem malik.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola on Monday formally opened the mid-year board meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the construction of additional deep seaports to boost Nigeria’s capacity and establish the country as the foremost maritime and logistics hub in the sub-region.

The three-day meeting, hosted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Victoria Island, is being held under the theme “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development.”

Oyetola said the new deep seaports, to be sited at strategic locations nationwide, will ease pressure on existing facilities, accommodate larger ocean-going vessels, strengthen supply chain resilience against global disruptions, and sharpen Nigeria’s competitive edge in international trade.

He added that government is also fast-tracking the modernisation of current ports in Apapa, Tin Can Island, Warri, Rivers, Onne, and Calabar. The upgrades include significant channel deepening to achieve greater drafts, reconstruction and extension of quays, procurement of modern cargo handling equipment, and improved road and rail access aimed at eliminating the bottlenecks that have long plagued port operations.

The minister highlighted measurable gains from recent reforms, noting that better inter-agency coordination has led to faster cargo evacuation, reduced vessel turnaround times, and a more stable, investor-friendly environment at the nation’s seaports.

A major plank of the ongoing transformation is the National Single Window initiative, a digital platform designed to integrate all relevant government agencies, drastically cut documentation requirements, reduce human contact points, and provide real-time visibility in cargo clearance processes.

On maritime security, Oyetola pointed to the success of the Deep Blue Project, which has achieved zero piracy attacks in Nigerian waters over a sustained period and substantially lowered incidents of other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. The improved security climate, he said, has restored confidence among international shipping lines and investors, with more vessels now calling at Nigerian ports. Further expansion of the project is planned.

Oyetola urged PMAWCA delegates to prioritise logistical resilience, sustainable environmental practices, digital innovation, and inclusive development that ensures host communities benefit from port activities through employment and skills programmes.

In his welcome address, NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who is serving as PMAWCA President , the first Nigerian to hold the position, said the West and Central Africa region is experiencing an unprecedented wave of port investment, with projects worth over $27 billion currently ongoing or recently announced.

Dantsoho cited key projects such as the $20 billion Simandou-Morebaya Deep Sea Port in Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire’s $2 billion Port San Pedro, Nigeria’s $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port, and major upgrades in Ghana and Senegal. He also mentioned ongoing rehabilitation at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, including APM Terminals’ $600 million investment.

He challenged port authorities to look beyond traditional cargo handling roles and actively drive the wider blue economy, including marine renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, coastal tourism, and biotechnology.

PMAWCA was established in 1972 under the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to promote cooperation, harmonise standards, and enhance port efficiency across more than 12,000 kilometres of coastline from Mauritania to Angola.

Dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi (representing the governor), Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote, and Presidential Special Adviser on Policy Coordination Hadiza Bala Usman.

Over the next two days, participants are expected to deliberate on infrastructure financing models, digital transformation, port security, trade facilitation, and collective strategies to strengthen Africa’s place in global maritime supply chains.