President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of Inland Dry Ports, IDPs, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, and Moniya, Oyo State, aimed at decongesting the Western Port System and stimulating economic growth.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, address congestion at Lagos ports, and create much-needed jobs for the nation’s youth.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, confirmed this during the 2025 budget defence before the Joint Senate Committee on Marine Transport and the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbour. This marks a significant step forward in the federal government’s plan to transform the maritime sector.
Oyetola stressed that the development of inland dry ports will not only ease pressure on the country’s seaports but also create jobs for youths in Ogun, Oyo, and other states within Nigeria’s western region.
He explained that the ports are expected to serve as key hubs for transportation, storage, and distribution, significantly boosting the region’s economy.
“These IDPs are crucial for fast-tracking the decongestion of our Western Port System,” Oyetola explained.
The minister also highlighted ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s maritime sector, including inadequate infrastructure, silted river courses, and limited fish production.
According to him, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is focused on addressing these challenges through several key projects and programmes aimed at improving operations and enhancing revenue generation.
“The ministry is committed to improving maritime safety and security, increasing fish production, and deploying information technology to boost operations,” Oyetola said.
Oyetola disclosed that the ministry had finalised several essential documents that lay the foundation for a sustainable and robust maritime policy.
These include the Nigeria National Blue Economy Strategy, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, and the Strategic Roadmap for Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
“These documents are critical to building a strong framework for the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector. They will guide infrastructure development and the growth of the blue economy in the coming years,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining the successes recorded in previous years.
