Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising Nigeria’s seaports outside Lagos, with Onne, Warri and Calabar among the ports earmarked for improved infrastructure and operational efficiency in a renewed drive to decentralise maritime activities and unlock the country’s blue economy potential.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, gave the assurance on Friday, October 16th, 2026  at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the port modernisation drive formed a critical component of the Federal Government’s broader blue economy agenda, aimed at expanding cargo-handling capacity, improving trade efficiency and distributing maritime-driven economic opportunities more evenly across the country.

According to the minister, the programme complements ongoing efforts to modernise the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, while extending infrastructure development to other strategic maritime gateways.

Oyetola also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its deep seaport development agenda, which includes proposed projects at Agge, Bakassi, Bonny, Gateway, Ibom and Ondo.

“This is a deliberate effort to expand capacity, improve efficiency and build a more balanced national network of maritime gateways,” he said.

The minister stressed that developing ports outside Lagos was essential to reducing the concentration of cargo traffic in the commercial capital, lowering transportation costs and bringing maritime services closer to businesses, manufacturers and consumers across the country.

He explained that the ministry’s broader vision was to establish an integrated transport system connecting seaports, inland dry ports and production centres through road, rail and inland waterways.

“By linking our seaports to Inland Dry Ports and production centres through an integrated multimodal network of road, rail and inland waterways, we are bringing cargo closer to producers and consumers, reducing haulage costs, easing pressure on Lagos, strengthening exports and stimulating industrial and logistics clusters across the Federation,” Oyetola said.

He further emphasised that Nigeria’s maritime development strategy extended beyond coastal communities, highlighting the importance of inland ports and waterways in connecting businesses and production centres to domestic and international markets.

According to him, facilities such as the Onitsha and Baro ports are important to efforts to expand access to maritime transportation, improve cargo movement and stimulate economic activities in the hinterland.

Oyetola said the government was collaborating with relevant agencies and private investors to ensure that its port development plans translated into functional infrastructure, efficient cargo-handling operations, navigable channels and reliable transport connections.

He noted that the success of port modernisation depended not only on upgrading terminals but also on improving the supporting infrastructure required to move cargo seamlessly between ports and their hinterlands.

Oyetola also highlighted the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, as a significant component of ongoing reforms to strengthen economic regulation, promote fair competition and improve service delivery across the port system.

He maintained that sustained investment in port infrastructure, supported by effective regulation and improved multimodal connectivity, would help lower logistics costs, attract private investment, boost exports and create employment opportunities across different parts of the country.

The development of additional maritime gateways is expected to provide businesses with more port options, improve access to international shipping routes and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigeria’s trade and logistics sector.

The 2026 World Maritime Day celebration attracted maritime industry leaders, heads of government agencies, lawmakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, drawing attention to the security risks confronting maritime workers and the importance of protecting seafarers on international shipping routes.

— as Acting Comptroller Afeni visits Police, Army, DSS, NDLEA, Immigration

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to combat smuggling, cross-border crimes and other threats to national security, particularly as the country approaches another election period.

Afeni made the call during a familiarisation tour of sister security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos, which commenced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

The tour took him to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja; the Department of State Services (DSS); Headquarters, 81 Division, Nigerian Army; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Strategic Command; the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); and the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja.

The visits were aimed at strengthening existing institutional relationships and identifying practical areas of cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint operations, information exchange and the enforcement of relevant laws across Lagos State and the wider operational jurisdiction of FOU Zone ‘A’.

At the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Afeni was received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, where he stressed the importance of coordinated security operations in preventing criminal elements from exploiting the election period to undermine public safety.

“We know that crime rates often increase as the country approaches the election period, as some people may attempt to take advantage of the period to perpetrate illicit activities capable of causing crises during the elections.

“Therefore, we are here to call for closer synergy so that these bad elements do not have their way,” he said.

The Customs chief emphasised that the responsibilities of FOU Zone ‘A’ extended beyond border protection to include collaboration with other security institutions in safeguarding national interests.

He noted that no security agency could effectively discharge its responsibilities in isolation, stressing that sustained cooperation was essential to tackling the increasingly complex nature of criminal activities.

Afeni particularly acknowledged the Nigeria Police Force’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, describing effective information sharing and coordinated operations as critical to achieving better security outcomes.

In his response, CP Fatai welcomed the visit, describing sustained engagement among security agencies as an established practice that had contributed to their operational successes over the years.

“In Lagos, we have a very strong and robust relationship with all security agencies, notwithstanding the huge population of the state,” the police commissioner said.

The Customs delegation also visited the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 81 Division, where Afeni was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola.

Babalola underscored the importance of joint operations and inter-agency cooperation in combating criminality, while cautioning against unnecessary administrative bottlenecks that could impede operational effectiveness.

The engagement highlighted the need for security institutions to streamline their operational processes, improve coordination and ensure that bureaucratic procedures do not frustrate timely responses to security threats.

Other agencies visited equally reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service in the collective effort to combat smuggling and other unlawful activities.

The familiarisation tour underscores FOU Zone ‘A’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency partnerships as a vital instrument for effective enforcement, national security and economic protection.

Beyond combating smuggling and trans-border crimes, the initiative is expected to reinforce efforts to protect government revenue, facilitate legitimate trade and safeguard Nigeria’s broader economic interests through coordinated security operations.

Gloria Odion, reporter 

The Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative, in partnership with Uriel Construction Limited, has commenced the construction of five solar-powered boreholes across underserved riverine communities in Lagos State as part of efforts to improve access to safe water and promote sustainable community development.

The projects, sponsored by the Koh Pbat Campaign Team through Uriel Construction Limited, cover five communities across Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo and Epe Local Government Areas.

The development coincides with a multi-sectoral medical and humanitarian outreach organised by Blue Lagos at Ebute Ajagun, Iworo, in Badagry Local Government Area, where residents of neighbouring riverine communities received free medical services, food assistance, livelihood support and life jackets.

The interventions reflect the initiative’s commitment to addressing challenges confronting coastal and riverine communities, particularly limited access to healthcare, safe drinking water, livelihood opportunities and waterway safety.

The five solar-powered borehole projects are strategically located to improve access to reliable water supplies in underserved communities.

The beneficiary communities are:

– Seje Jegba, Badagry Local Government Area.
– Sagbonkodji, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
– Olomometa, Ojo Local Government Area.
– Agadangba, Ward C1, Epe Local Government Area.
– Igbo Apawa, Ward D1, Epe Local Government Area.

According to the initiative, the projects are expected to ease the difficulties residents face in accessing safe water for domestic use while improving sanitation, public health and household welfare.

The adoption of solar-powered systems is also expected to support sustainable water supply by reducing dependence on conventional electricity, particularly in communities where infrastructure challenges often affect access to essential services.

Access to safe water remains critical to public health, hygiene and overall living standards. The projects therefore represent an effort to complement immediate humanitarian assistance with infrastructure that can deliver lasting benefits to beneficiary communities.

In a related development, Blue Lagos has extended its community development interventions to Badagry through a multi-sectoral medical and humanitarian outreach held at Ebute Ajagun, Iworo.

The programme reached residents of Daddy Louis, Ajido, Etesa, Epe and Ebute Eleja, among other riverine communities, many of whom face geographical and infrastructural barriers to accessing basic healthcare and other essential services.

The outreach featured free medical services sponsored by the Medical and Safety Directorate of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), alongside food palliatives donated by the RHA’s Humanitarian Affairs Directorate.

Residents also received fish-smoking kilns donated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, to support local livelihoods.

In addition, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) donated life jackets to promote safety among residents who rely on boats and other water transportation for fishing, commuting and other daily activities.

The distribution of life jackets forms part of broader efforts to encourage safer use of Lagos waterways, particularly among people whose livelihoods depend on water transportation.

Speaking on the interventions, the Team Lead of Blue Lagos, Mr Saheed Adesanya, reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to promoting inclusive development by ensuring that residents of underserved coastal and riverine communities across Lagos State have access to essential services, humanitarian support and sustainable development opportunities, regardless of their geographical location.

Adesanya explained that the ongoing intervention in Badagry Local Government Area builds on previous community development initiatives carried out in several riverine communities across the state, including Sagbonkodji, Bishop Kodji, Takwa Bay and Ilado-Odo in Amuwo-Odofin, as well as Yegunda, Ito Omu, Isan, Oko-Abe, Ito Osun, Saga, Emina and Take Nla in Epe, among other locations.

He noted that these interventions reflect Blue Lagos’ broader commitment to addressing the developmental challenges confronting communities in hard-to-reach areas, particularly those with limited access to basic infrastructure, healthcare services, safe drinking water and other essential amenities.

According to him, the initiative adopts a community-centred approach that combines immediate humanitarian assistance with practical, long-term interventions aimed at improving public health, strengthening local livelihoods, enhancing waterway safety and promoting sustainable development.

He added that the approach is designed to address both the immediate needs of residents and the underlying challenges affecting their overall well-being.

Adesanya further emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving meaningful and lasting development outcomes, noting that collaboration with organisations such as Uriel Construction Limited enables Blue Lagos to extend its reach and deliver interventions that respond to the specific needs of underserved communities.

He maintained that the initiative would continue to identify priority areas requiring intervention, engage relevant stakeholders and implement targeted projects that improve living conditions, expand access to essential services and create opportunities for inclusive growth across Lagos State.

He added that Blue Lagos remains committed to ensuring that residents of coastal and riverine communities are not left behind in the state’s development efforts, stressing that sustainable progress can only be achieved when the needs of all communities are recognised and addressed.

Blue Lagos acknowledged the support of its patron, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, for his strategic engagement and contributions towards advancing the initiative’s objectives.

The initiative also commended LASWA for donating life jackets to improve safety among residents who depend on Lagos waterways.

It further recognised Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, for supporting the medical outreach and donating fish-smoking kilns to promote livelihood development.

Special appreciation was extended to the Humanitarian Affairs Directorate of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, under the leadership of Ms Bisola Olusanya, for providing food palliatives distributed during the outreach and other community interventions.

The Koh Pbat Campaign Team was also commended for sponsoring the five solar-powered borehole projects through Uriel Construction Limited, describing the contribution as an important step towards improving access to essential water infrastructure in underserved riverine communities.

Blue Lagos emphasised that sustained collaboration among government agencies, corporate organisations, humanitarian groups, development partners and community stakeholders is essential to expanding access to healthcare, safe water, economic opportunities and waterway safety.

As the initiative continues to extend its interventions across Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo, Epe and other riverine areas of Lagos State, it reiterated its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development under its guiding principle: “No Community Is Left Behind.”