REVIVING THE SEA PORTS: HOW DR. IGALI PROPOSES TO UNCLOG LAGOS BY OPENING SOUTH-SOUTH PORTS

​Dave Ikiedei Asei | Niger Delta Progress-Reporters | September 11, 2026

​For decades, the persistent gridlock surrounding the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos has posed a major bottleneck to Nigeria's economic growth. Long queues of cargo vessels awaiting clearance, heavy traffic congestion on port access roads, and skyrocketing demurrage costs have collectively stifled smooth international trade. In response to these lingering maritime challenges, distinguished diplomat, scholar, and statesman Ambassador (Dr) Godknows Boladei Igali OON has articulated a transformative vision aimed at decentralizing maritime logistics across the country.

​Dr. Igali’s strategic proposal centers on the comprehensive rehabilitation and reactivation of the South-South sea ports, including Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, Calabar, and the deep sea port projects in Ibom and Agge. By diverting a significant volume of maritime traffic away from the overstretched Lagos corridor toward these eastern waterways, the nation can establish a more balanced and resilient supply chain network. This initiative promises not only to ease gridlock in the South-West but also to unlock massive commercial potential across the coastal regions of the Niger Delta.

​Central to Dr. Igali’s recommendations is the urgent need for critical infrastructure upgrades, particularly the capital and maintenance dredging of shallow channels leading to the eastern ports. Ports such as Calabar and Warri have faced operational limitations due to siltation, preventing large ocean-going vessels from berthing. By deepening these channels and upgrading terminal facilities, the federal government can ensure that modern container ships navigate these waterways safely, making eastern ports viable hubs for international shipping lines.

​Beyond dredging, Dr. Igali emphasizes the necessity of integrated intermodal transport links to connect South-South ports with commercial centers in the South-East, North-Central, and Northern regions. Developing robust rail networks and dualized highway corridors directly from maritime terminals will dramatically cut transit times and cargo handling expenses for importers and exporters. This holistic approach ensures that goods cleared at eastern ports move efficiently across inland supply corridors without logistical bottlenecks.

​The socio-economic benefits of reviving these maritime gateways extend far beyond logistical convenience. Reactivating the South-South ports will stimulate substantial job creation, offering direct employment to port workers, dockers, maritime logistics experts, and clearing agents, while fostering indirect opportunities for local businesses and hospitality sectors. Energizing trade in these coastal communities provides a sustainable framework for youth empowerment and long-term economic stability in the Niger Delta.

​Security across the Gulf of Guinea remains a critical component of Dr. Igali's maritime policy framework. To build investor confidence and encourage global shipping consortia to utilize eastern routes, enhanced maritime security protocols must be continuously maintained. Collaborative frameworks involving the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, and coastal communities have proven essential in safeguarding marine corridors against piracy and sea robbery, ensuring safe passage for commercial cargo vessels.

​Furthermore, operational reforms and administrative efficiency must accompany physical infrastructure improvements. Dr. Igali advocates for modernizing port operations through automated cargo tracking, streamlined customs clearing procedures, and competitive tariff structures. Reducing bureaucratic red tape at eastern terminals will naturally incentivize maritime operators to choose South-South ports over congested alternatives, driving healthy commercial competition nationwide.

​Dr. Igali’s proposal aligns seamlessly with broader national economic diversification goals, shifting reliance away from crude oil revenue toward robust maritime trade, agricultural exports, and manufacturing output. By transforming eastern coastal states into dynamic trade hubs, Nigeria can maximize its maritime assets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, positioning the nation as a dominant maritime power in West and Central Africa.

​Ultimately, opening up the South-South sea ports represents a national economic imperative rather than a regional preference. Through strategic policy execution, infrastructure investments, and security integration, Dr. Igali's vision offers a sustainable blueprint to permanently decongest Lagos, catalyze regional industrialization, and usher in a prosperous era for Nigeria's maritime economy.