…As Stakeholders Validate Blueprint
In a decisive move to expand Nigeria’s maritime and logistics capacity, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has convened key stakeholders to review and validate consultancy reports on the proposed Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port.
According to a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Anastasia Ogbonna, Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the maritime sector remains a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s economy and a primary gateway for international trade and industrial productivity.
The high-level meeting, held at the Green Legacy Resort, Abeokuta, brought together regulators, operators, and state officials to refine the technical findings that will guide the project’s implementation.
He noted that unlocking the sector’s full potential requires sustained reforms and evidence-based planning, prompting the Ministry to commission the consultancy for the Ijebu-Ode project.
Oyetola stressed that the session was not a routine presentation but a collaborative validation process designed to enrich the technical reports with the institutional knowledge and operational experience of industry players.
Representing the Minister, Permanent Secretary Mrs Fatima Mahmood said the platform enabled stakeholders to scrutinise findings, flag implementation risks, and ensure recommendations are practical, actionable, and aligned with existing legal and policy frameworks.
“By harmonising the perspectives of all key institutions, we are building a shared understanding of the project’s strategic direction,” she said.
Mahmood added that active engagement promotes transparency and creates the collective ownership required for seamless adoption and effective delivery of the inland dry port.
Acknowledging Ogun State’s strategic role in Nigeria’s logistics corridor, she conveyed the Minister’s appreciation for the state government’s cooperation, particularly the transfer of the project land to the Federal Government.
She announced that the consultancy services are scheduled for completion within 12 months and called for close synergy among the Ministry, its maritime agencies, and the consulting team to meet the timeline.
Mrs Mahmood reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining an open, collaborative environment where ideas are freely shared, describing the successful validation as evidence of a joint resolve to build a more efficient, modern, and globally competitive maritime industry.
She described the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port as a cornerstone of the Ministry’s plan to drive economic growth through a vibrant blue economy.
Speaking for Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo restated the state’s commitment to attracting shipping, logistics, and allied industries, calling the project central to Ogun’s vision as a major industrial and logistics hub.
Earlier, the Director of Maritime Services, Mr Meshack Adeola Oyinloye, said the project aligns with the National Transport Policy, the Nigerian Ports Masterplan, and the mandate of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He highlighted its critical role in decongesting seaports, facilitating trade, and advancing Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The validation session drew representatives from the Ogun State Government, consultants Dewlands International Company Limited, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and other key maritime stakeholders to ensure the project reflects operational realities and national economic goals.
