Fed Govt targets 12-month timeline for Ijebu-Ode Dry Port
The federal government is targeting a 12-month timeline to advance the proposed Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port, accelerating consultancy processes as part of a broader strategy to decongest seaports and strengthen
The federal government is targeting a 12-month timeline to advance the proposed Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port, accelerating consultancy processes as part of a broader strategy to decongest seaports and strengthen trade logistics nationwide.
At a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta, convened by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, key industry players and government agencies reviewed and validated consultancy reports that will guide the project’s implementation, positioning the inland port as a critical link in Nigeria’s logistics value chain.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the maritime sector as a key driver of the country’s economic growth and international trade competitiveness, noting that unlocking its full potential requires deliberate reforms anchored on data and industry realities.
He stressed that the validation exercise goes beyond a routine review, positioning it as a critical step in aligning technical recommendations with operational experience across the sector.
According to him, the engagement was “not merely a presentation exercise but a genuine collaborative validation process designed to enrich the technical reports with the practical, institutional knowledge of operators within the sector.”
The minister said the stakeholder-driven approach aims to ensure that the project’s framework is both implementable and aligned with existing regulatory and policy structures.
“By harmonising the perspectives of all key institutions, we aim to foster a shared understanding of the project’s strategic direction,” he said.
He further noted that the consultative process is designed to identify implementation risks early, strengthen transparency, and build sector-wide ownership of the project outcomes—key elements critical for execution in Nigeria’s complex maritime environment.
Oyetola also disclosed that the consultancy engagement is expected to be completed within a 12-month period, urging closer collaboration between the Ministry, its agencies, and technical partners to meet the timeline.
In a move that underscores federal-state collaboration in logistics infrastructure development, he acknowledged the role of the Ogun State Government, particularly its handover of land for the project.
He added that the validation process reflects the Federal Government’s broader ambition to develop a modern and globally competitive maritime sector anchored on efficiency and private-sector participation.
At the sub-national level, Ogun State reaffirmed its strategic positioning as an emerging logistics and industrial hub, with the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port expected to play a central role in attracting cargo traffic and related investments.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo said the project aligns with Ogun’s long-term vision of becoming a preferred destination for manufacturing and logistics operations.
Read Also: Ogun hands over 130 hectares to FG for construction of Ijebu-Ode Inland dry port
He described the inland port as a critical infrastructure that would deepen the state’s integration into national and regional supply chains.
Earlier, the Director of Maritime Services in the Ministry, Mr. Meshack Adeola Oyinloye, linked the project to key national and continental trade frameworks, highlighting its alignment with the National Transport Policy and the Nigerian Ports Masterplan.
He emphasised that the inland dry port would play a significant role in easing pressure on seaports, facilitating trade flows, and advancing Nigeria’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The validation meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Ogun State Government, and consultants, Dewlands International Company Limited—reflecting a multi-agency approach to infrastructure planning in the maritime sector.
