By Abiodun JIMOH
The Federal Government has rolled out a new National Marine and Blue Economy Policy aimed at cutting logistics costs, boosting trade competitiveness, and attracting private sector investments into Nigeria’s maritime and transport sectors.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by Dr. Mercy Iloro, Director of Maritime Services in the ministry, announced the policy at the 2025 Nigeria Transport Sector Annual Summit organised by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
Oyetola said the policy provides a roadmap for seamless intermodal integration across road, rail, barge, and pipeline channels, positioning Nigeria as a future logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
“By lowering the cost of doing business, improving turnaround times, and creating an enabling environment for private capital, we are positioning Nigeria as a preferred logistics destination in Africa,” he stated.
The minister highlighted ongoing projects underpinning the reforms, including the operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line for port cargo evacuation, expanded barge operations at Lagos and Onne ports, completion of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway, and the newly commissioned 27km Lekki Port Access Road.
He further noted the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, and Funtua, designed to ease congestion at seaports while stimulating regional economic growth.
Oyetola stressed that collaboration among shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, investors, and regulators remains key to achieving the policy’s goals. He also urged stakeholders to embrace digital, green, and climate-resilient logistics solutions to ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
