Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the federal government for concentrating Nigeria’s maritime development in Lagos. He said the recent approval of $1 billion for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports highlights a longstanding neglect of other major ports across the country.
Obi, in a statement on X, welcomed the modernisation project but said port development should be guided by transparency, accountability, and fairness. He warned that prioritising Lagos over other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne limits productivity, job creation, and trade opportunities across the regions.
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The former Anambra governor said over 70 percent of Nigeria’s port activities still take place in Lagos, leading to congestion, high costs, and delays. He argued that decentralising port operations would improve logistics, enhance security, and promote balanced economic growth.
Obi urged the federal government to invest in developing other ports, saying it would ease pressure on Lagos and stimulate regional economies. He added that reforms to reduce bureaucracy, tackle corruption, and adopt technology were essential for a truly national and competitive blue economy.
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