Nigeria has taken a decisive step to reclaim its maritime trade dominance. The Federal Government has approved certification and compliance processes for five proposed deep seaports to reclaim the over 70 per cent of Nigerian-bound cargo transported to other African nations.
The announcement was made by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, at the close of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa meeting in Lagos. For NIMEPA, this approval creates a critical test: can Nigeria expand port capacity and simultaneously protect its marine ecosystems
The Five Ports and Why They Matter
Dantsoho confirmed that regulatory groundwork is complete for:
- Badagry Deep Sea Port, Lagos State: to relieve Apapa and Tin Can and capture West corridor traffic
- Olokola Deep Sea Port, Ondo State: a deep-draft industrial port for bulk and manufacturing exports
- Ibom Deep Sea Port, Akwa Ibom State: positioned for transshipment and Gulf of Guinea connectivity
- Bakassi Deep Sea Port, Cross River State: the first to receive a formal Certificate of Compliance
- Bonny Deep Sea Port, Rivers State: to support energy logistics and eastern trade corridors
“In terms of approvals, certifications and compliance issues, we have taken care of five different deep-sea ports in Nigeria,” Dantsoho said. He noted Nigeria accounts for over 70 per cent of cargo traffic within West and Central Africa, with Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso depending partly on Nigerian ports
The goal is clear: enable Nigeria to receive larger vessels, expand trade capacity, and strengthen regional logistics.
Bakassi Sets the Compliance Precedent
The Bakassi Deep Seaport received its Certificate of Compliance from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Abuja. Governor Bassey Edet Otu described it as “a momentous and defining milestone in our collective march toward economic rebirth.”
The $3.5 billion project is projected to redefine Nigeria’s shipping landscape and is “not just about ships and cargo, but about jobs, industrialization and positioning Nigeria competitively within global trade corridors.”
Minister Adegboyega Oyetola said Bakassi is “perfectly aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda” and shows strong promise of being the first of the five to be realized
NIMEPA’s Position: Certification Must Include Environmental Safeguards
Port expansion without marine protection risks the very blue economy Nigeria seeks to build. As the five projects move from approval to construction, NIMEPA calls for balancing cargo growth with three non-negotiable protections:
- Full Environmental and Social Impact Assessments: Publish EIAs for Badagry, Olokola, Ibom, Bakassi and Bonny, with specific mitigation for mangroves in Cross River, turtle nesting beaches in Ondo and Akwa Ibom, and the Badagry lagoon system
- Green Port Standards from Day One: Mandate ballast water treatment, oily water separators, sewage treatment plants, and waste reception facilities in line with MARPOL. These are the marine environment protection systems NIMEPA advocates for all Nigerian vessels and terminals
- Technology to Cut Pollution: Implement the PMAWCA resolution on National Single Window and Port Community Systems to reduce vessel dwell time and emissions. Dantsoho confirmed members resolved to deepen deployment of these technology-driven solutions
A Blueprint for Sustainable Deep Seaports
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy stressed the conference theme, “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development.” That future must be built on:
- Dredging protocols that avoid coral and seagrass damage
- Shore power and cleaner fuels to cut port air pollution
- Community-led monitoring in host states to ensure compliance is continuous, not one-off
- Alignment with Nigeria’s IMO Council commitments on maritime safety and ocean governance
Done correctly, these five deep seaports will reduce the need for cargo to divert to Cotonou, Lome and Tema, cutting overall voyage distances and associated emissions. They will also create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s maritime hub.
Conclusion
Approving Badagry, Olokola, Ibom, Bakassi and Bonny is a major economic decision. For NIMEPA, it must also be an environmental commitment. Certification is the starting line. True compliance will be measured in clean water, healthy fisheries, protected coastlines, and ports that deliver prosperity without sacrificing Nigeria’s marine heritage.
