Peter Obi, former governor and presidential candidate, has urged the Federal Government to decentralize port development beyond Lagos following its approval of $1 billion (about N1.5 trillion) for the modernization of Apapa and TinCan Island Ports.
In a statement on X, Obi said while upgrading Lagos ports is a positive step, continued concentration of port projects in the state leads to congestion, high logistics costs, and economic imbalance.
He noted that ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne remain underutilized despite their potential to boost trade, create jobs, and ease pressure on Lagos. Obi added that true economic progress requires equitable infrastructure development across all regions.
Citing global models like Vietnam and South Africa, he stressed that countries with decentralized port systems enjoy better logistics and balanced growth. He also called for reforms to curb corruption, reduce bureaucracy, and promote a paperless port system to boost competitiveness.
Obi concluded that if managed transparently, the Lagos port modernization could serve as a model for nationwide maritime reform and support Nigeria’s shift toward a production-driven economy.
