Oyetola: Trucks are no longer stuck at Apapa port… first time in 20 years

Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister of marine and blue economy, says trucks are now moving freely at Apapa port in Lagos to pick up or deliver cargo, ending 20 years of congestion.

Oyetola spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of study group 4, senior executive course 47, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), on a study tour to the ministry.

He said Nigeria has successfully surmounted port challenges and ports are now attracting major container carriers and generating revenue for the country.

The minister said he confronted and dismantled entrenched interests and well-organised syndicates that had profited from the chaos surrounding the ports and their access, thereby surmounting longstanding systemic challenges.

“The fierce behind-the-scenes battles that led to the eventual clearing of the infamous Apapa gridlock that crippled port operations and economic activities for over two decades did not come easily,” he said.

“For the first time in over 20 years, trucks no longer spend weeks waiting to pick up or deliver cargo.

“Port users now experience seamless movement, while haulage costs dropped by as much as 60 percent.”

Oyetola said he had revived the ports, attracting major carriers, boosting trade, and growing revenue, after dismantling the engineered gridlock fueled by those profiting from its dysfunction.

The minister attributed the resolution of the Apapa gridlock and enhanced port operations to focused leadership and inter-ministerial cooperation, which overcame years of collusion and corruption.

“Small businesses are beginning to return, port workers are more efficient, and the entire Nigerian economy stands to gain from the renewed competitiveness of its ports,” he said.

Abdulrahaman Idris, the head of the delegation of the NIPSS study group, commended the minister for the giant strides achieved within two years of his assumption of office.

Idris said the 2025 study tour, themed ‘Blue economy sustainable development in Nigeria, issues, challenges and opportunities,’ aims to provide solutions to national issues and enhance the maritime sector.

“Members of this study group 4 are drawn from the public sector, the paramilitary and the presidency,” he noted.

He added that the study tour visited to understudy the ministry’s activities, with the outcome informing their submission to President Bola Tinubu in November.

In February, the federal government said the $800 million needed to rehabilitate Nigeria’s ports is almost ready.