Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised concerns over the Federal Government's recent approval of ₦1.5 trillion (approximately $1 billion) for the modernization of Lagos’s Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports. Obi acknowledges the necessity of upgrading maritime infrastructure but warns that the excessive focus on Lagos ports perpetuates a pattern of over-centralisation that stifles balanced economic growth and regional inclusion across Nigeria.
In a statement titled “The Imperative of Diversifying Port Development in Nigeria,” Obi stresses that while modernizing ports is commendable, investments must be guided by accountability, transparency, and equity for all Nigerians. He highlights that more than 70 percent of the country’s port activities remain concentrated in Lagos, a situation causing chronic congestion, costly delays, environmental harm, and inflated logistics expenses nationwide.
Obi advocates for the revitalization of other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne to decongest Lagos, reduce shipping costs, create jobs, and stimulate regional economies. Citing international examples like Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco, he underscores how decentralized port systems bolster national productivity and economic inclusivity.
He further urges the government to address systemic issues beyond physical infrastructure—namely corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and the need for digital, paperless port operations—to enhance competitiveness and turnaround times. Obi envisions the Lagos port modernization serving as a model for nationwide maritime reform, promoting equitable prosperity.
Concluding his appeal, Obi calls for Nigeria to rebuild with fairness, guided by integrity and a vision that transforms the country into a production-driven economy where every region participates meaningfully in trade and economic opportunities, not merely consumption.