Public-private partnerships will help unlock Nigeria’s logistical efficiency as already demonstrated by the Lekki Deep Seaport, according to Minister of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
by Blue Africa News
The Federal Government of Nigeria envisions a modern, secure and globally competitive maritime sector, as a foundation of the West Africa nation’s economic growth and development.
According to Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the government plans to replicate the success of the US$1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport across the country’s maritime sector.
“The maritime industry stands at the heart of our economic aspirations, not merely as a conduit for trade, but as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and regional integration,” the Minister said on August 19, 2025, as quoted by local media.
“Achieving our vision to build a modern, safe, efficient and globally competitive maritime sector that fully unlocks Nigeria’s economic potential will require more than sound policies.”
Oyetola, who spoke at the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping breakfast meeting in Lagos on Tuesday (August 19), noted that public-private partnership will help unlock Nigeria’s logistical efficiency as already demonstrated by the Lekki Deep Seaport.
The “Lekki playbook,” he emphasized, “demands sustained investment in infrastructure, targeted capacity building, accelerated digital transformation, and strong, enduring partnerships with the private sector.”
Located in Lagos, the Lekki Deep Seaport is a joint venture enterprise owned by a group of investors led by the Lekki Port Investment Holdings, the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The multi-purpose port started full commercial operations in April 2023, with full automation and state-of-the-art facilities that guarantee quick turnaround time making it a model in the Nigerian and regional marine sector.
The port, Oyetola noted, has capacity to handle 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), accommodate large vessels, and “has already generated thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” adding that the government is applying the Lekki Port model to modernise the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports, and upgrading the Eastern Ports in Onne, Calabar and Rivers.
Oyetola said he has directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to immediately commence disbursing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to qualified Nigerian shipowners.
Industry players have however opined that in spite of all the measures by the government, there exists an urgent need to improve import clearance efficiency, besides eliminating unofficial, non-receipted payments to the nation’s seaports.
“We seek a mandate for end-to-end electronic customs processing, from manifest submission to cargo release without manual intervention. We demand for an Improved QR code–based gate passes that cannot be altered and are linked to payment confirmation,” said Olafisoye AbdRauff Lanre, Head of Supply Chain at GoldPark Logistics Limited in an opinion article posted online dated August 20, 2025.
He called for implementation of a scheduled inspection time slots to prevent “priority fees” for queue jumping, installation of surveillance in inspection bays, customs offices, and port gates, linked to a live compliance monitoring center, and a secure reporting system with guaranteed protection and rewards for exposing corrupt practices as some of the measures expected to improve efficiency at Nigerian ports.
If implemented, the expert said the clearance time will be cut from 7–14 days to 48–72 hours, eliminate 20–30% of hidden logistics costs from unofficial facilitation, improve Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank “Trading Across Borders” index and increase investor and shipper confidence in Nigerian ports.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News