Peter Obi Faults FG’s $1bn Port Modernisation Plan

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the Federal Government’s approval of $1 bn (₦1.4 tn) for the modernization of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, describing it as unfair to other regions and poorly timed given Nigeria’s harsh economic realities.

His comments come after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced on Wednesday, that the Federal Executive Council had approved the funds for a total overhaul of the two major Lagos ports.

The project, which is one of the biggest in the nation’s maritime history, aims to automate operations, deepen channels, reduce congestion, and position Lagos as a major maritime hub in West Africa under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Oyetola, the port upgrade will create thousands of jobs, improve trade efficiency, and attract private investment. He also noted that construction is expected to begin in early 2026 and be completed within four years.

However, Obi in his X handle on Friday criticised the move, saying that while modernising ports is important, the decision again reflects the Federal Government’s habit of concentrating massive infrastructure investments in Lagos at the expense of other regions.

“Nigeria’s infrastructure investment remains excessively concentrated in Lagos, often at the expense of other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne. If fully developed, these ports could enhance productivity, drive trade, create jobs, and open new economic corridors that would lift millions out of poverty across the federation,” he wrote.

He noted that the neglect of other seaports had made Nigeria’s trade routes congested and inefficient, explaining that over 70 percent of the country’s port activities take place in Lagos, which has led to gridlock, higher transport costs, and delays that hurt businesses and discourage investment.

Obi also compared Nigeria’s situation with that of other developing countries that have achieved balance in infrastructure distribution.

“Vietnam operates over 300 ports — from Haiphong in the north to Da Nang in the centre and Ho Chi Minh City in the south — ensuring nationwide connectivity. Indonesia boasts about 111 commercial ports distributed across its territory to guarantee balanced access to trade.

“South Africa maintains eight major seaports — from Durban and Richards Bay on the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and Saldanha Bay on the Atlantic — reflecting a vision of maritime inclusion. Egypt runs about 15 commercial ports along both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea coasts;

“Morocco has about 14 ports open to international trade, including Casablanca, Tangier Med, and Agadir, distributed along its Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines; and Algeria operates about 10 commercial ports spread across its extensive Mediterranean coast. Even Ghana, with only two major ports — Tema and Takoradi — ensured they are geographically decentralised on opposite ends of its coastline.

“These nations have grasped a simple truth: no country seeking to maximise its blue economy concentrates all maritime activities in a single city. Decentralisation reduces congestion, improves logistics, enhances national security, and promotes balanced economic growth,” he wrote.

He noted that developing other ports in the Niger Delta and South East regions would not only ease pressure on Lagos but also create millions of jobs and promote industrial growth saying, “This is not merely an infrastructural necessity but a national imperative.”

Obi further questioned the government’s decision to approve such a huge sum at a time when Nigerians are battling hunger, unemployment, and rising inflation. He said that with over 60 percent of citizens living in poverty, spending $1 billion on a single regional project reflected misplaced priorities.

According to him, the government should focus on sectors that directly improve people’s lives, such as agriculture, education, and healthcare, instead of committing massive funds to one area.

He also expressed concern about possible corruption and lack of transparency in managing the project, recalling that many similar initiatives in the past had failed to make any real impact on citizens.

Obi urged the Federal Government to ensure fairness by extending such development efforts to other regions and maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the process.

“Now more than ever, Nigeria must rebuild with fairness, guided by equity, integrity, and a clear vision to transform our nation from one of consumption to one of production and shared prosperity,” he said.