FG, maritime stakeholders seek N450bn green investments
The Federal Government and major stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have intensified calls for investment in green port infrastructure and sustainable operations, with a proposed Nigeria Green Port Energy Transition and Marine Biomass Utilisation Programme projected to attract more than N450 billion in public and private sector funding. According to a policy bulletin by the […]
The Federal Government and major stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have intensified calls for investment in green port infrastructure and sustainable operations, with a proposed Nigeria Green Port Energy Transition and Marine Biomass Utilisation Programme projected to attract more than N450 billion in public and private sector funding.
According to a policy bulletin by the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), the initiative could generate over 50,000 jobs and unlock significant economic opportunities within three to five years as Nigeria seeks to align its port operations with global environmental standards.
Speaking at the 2026 Dockworkers Day celebration organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in Lagos, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, said sustainable port development remains critical to enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade.
Represented by the Head of Corporate and Strategic Communications of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ikechukwu Onyemakara, the minister said the transition to greener ports would require investments in clean energy, modern waste management systems and environmentally responsible operational practices.
He stressed that workforce welfare and safety must remain central to the transition, warning that the government would not tolerate employers who fail to protect the rights and wellbeing of dockworkers.
Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described dockworkers as a key component of efficient port operations and trade facilitation, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to improving working conditions across the nation’s ports.
Industry leaders noted that sustainability is increasingly influencing investment decisions and trade competitiveness globally.
President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Alhaji Aminu Umar, represented by the Chamber’s Director-General, Vivian Chimezie Azubuike, urged stakeholders to integrate renewable energy systems, smart technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure into ongoing port rehabilitation projects.
He said investments in human capital development would be essential to ensure Nigerian dockworkers acquire the skills required for emerging green technologies and modern port operations.
Also speaking, President of the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), Bolaji Sunmola, said the International Maritime Organisation’s greenhouse gas reduction targets present both challenges and opportunities for Nigerian ports.
He noted that achieving a successful transition would require substantial investment in infrastructure upgrades while addressing operational realities such as port congestion and labour-intensive cargo handling processes.
SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, commended the Federal Government’s $1 billion port development programme for Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, describing it as a major step towards modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.