The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the commitment of the ports in the West and Central African region to position themselves to respond effectively to the evolving demands of global trade and logistics.
Oyetola stated this in Lagos recently while declaring open the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa.
“Your presence in Nigeria today is a reflection of our shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, advancing maritime development, and positioning our ports to respond effectively to the evolving demands of global trade and logistics,” Oyetola said.
He commended PMAWCA for its sustained commitment to fostering cooperation, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment among port authorities across West and Central Africa.
Oyetola stressed that, over the years, PMAWCA has continued to play a pivotal role in promoting maritime integration, strengthening institutional capacity, and enhancing the competitiveness of ports within the sub-region.
According to him, in an increasingly interconnected global economy, the importance of efficient and resilient port systems cannot be overstated, adding that the regional ports serve as gateways for trade and as strategic enablers of economic growth, industrialisation, regional integration, and social development.
“PMAWCA has remained steadfast in championing these ideals, and I commend the leadership and members of the association for their dedication and vision. Across the world, port systems are being called upon to become more agile, technologically driven, environmentally sustainable, and economically inclusive.
The future of our ports must therefore be anchored on infrastructure expansion and operational efficiency, as well as the well-being and prosperity of the communities that host and sustain these critical assets,” Oyetola added.
Oyetola reiterated the need for governments and maritime stakeholders to ensure that the growth of the regional port systems translates “into jobs for our people, opportunities for our youth, empowerment for coastal communities, and sustainable economic value for future generations”.
“We recognise that efficient, resilient, secure, and inclusive port systems are indispensable for facilitating trade, attracting investment, promoting regional connectivity, and strengthening Africa’s participation in global commerce. It is in this regard that Nigeria continues to pursue bold reforms and transformative initiatives within the maritime sector,” he said.
He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is firmly committed to the modernisation and reform of the Nigerian port system.
The former Osun State governor pointed out that Nigeria is committed to pursuing measures aimed at improving operational efficiency, upgrading critical infrastructure, deepening digital transformation, enhancing port connectivity, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and promoting ease of doing business across maritime corridors.
He added that, in recent years, Nigeria has recorded significant progress in addressing logistics bottlenecks across major seaports through coordinated policy interventions, improved inter-agency collaboration, and enhanced port access infrastructure.
“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,” Oyetola stressed.
He emphasised that the Federal Government is taking bold and strategic steps to expand national port capacity and prepare for the evolving demands of regional and global commerce.
“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,” he stressed.
“We are equally prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility in line with emerging global standards and the imperatives of climate resilience. Our vision is to position Nigerian ports as smart, competitive, and globally connected hubs capable of meeting the demands of twenty-first-century trade while delivering tangible socioeconomic benefits to our local communities,” Oyetola mentioned.
