Nigeria approves modernization of four eastern ports outside Lagos
In 2017, the four ports handled nearly 37 million tons of goods, with 1,831 vessel movements.
NIGERIA – The Nigerian government has approved the modernization and upgrading of four ports located outside Lagos, including Onne and Rivers in Rivers State, as well as Delta and Calabar, according to the public broadcaster Voice of Nigeria.
The decision complements a prior approval for the ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island in Lagos.
The objective is to develop a more balanced port network by creating additional entry points for international trade and reducing the concentration of freight traffic around Lagos.
Operational focus
The modernization project will focus on infrastructure and operational efficiency. According to the Minister of the Navy and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the project should improve freight handling, reduce ship turnaround times, and strengthen regional connectivity, making the transport of goods more predictable and less costly.
The investment amount, work schedule, and expected additional capacity have not been specified.
Existing capacity
The four platforms already have infrastructure that offers room for development. One has a historical capacity of 800,000 TEU and a channel depth of approximately 11 meters, compared with 300,000 TEU for Delta and 200,000 TEU for Calabar.
Rivers has eight berths and a channel depth of approximately 10 meters, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Historical traffic
In 2017, the four ports handled nearly 37 million tons of goods, with 1,831 vessel movements.
Onne port accounted for 26.05 million tons, or about 70% of the combined traffic, followed by Delta at 5.20 million tons, Rivers at 3.54 million tons, and Calabar at 2.19 million tons.
Underutilization concerns
However, the stakes are higher because several port infrastructures in the East remain underutilized.
For instance, in August 2026, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council said that low utilization of the ports of Onne, Calabar, and Port Harcourt was contributing to higher logistics costs and limiting supply chain efficiency.
Meanwhile, the modernization follows other port development initiatives in Nigeria. In September 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World to develop the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone and the Gateway Deep Seaport.
The proposed port will feature a four-kilometer berth and an 18-meter draft, designed to accommodate larger vessels and ease congestion along the Lagos port corridor.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s four eastern port upgrades aim to decentralize freight from Lagos, cut logistics costs, and raise national trade throughput.
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