President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to ensure the strategic inclusion of Niger Delta ports in Nigeria’s maritime development agenda, stressing the need for equity and adherence to the federal character principle.This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council IYC Worldwide, Amb. (Dr.) Binebai Yerin Princewill on Monday 23 March 2026.
The group expressed concern over what it described as the disproportionate concentration of multi-billion naira port investments in Lagos, warning that such centralisation could undermine national balance and economic inclusion.While commending the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure renewal and economic growth, the IYC argued that Nigeria’s maritime development must reflect fairness across all regions, particularly in the Niger Delta, which it described as historically significant and economically strategic.
The council identified several key ports in the region that require urgent development and revitalisation which include Burutu, Warri, Sapele and Koko ports in Delta State; Onne and Bonny ports in Rivers State; Brass and the proposed Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State; as well as the Gelegele Seaport in Edo State.According to the IYC, these ports possess natural advantages such as deep waterways, proximity to international shipping routes and access to Nigeria’s oil and gas corridors, making them viable gateways for trade, logistics and industrial expansion.
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The group highlighted the historical relevance of Burutu Port, established in 1887 by the Royal Niger Company, noting that it once served as a major hub for palm oil and agricultural exports before the rise of Lagos ports. It also pointed to the untapped maritime potential in Bayelsa State, particularly the Brass Port and the proposed Agge Deep Seaport, describing them as critical assets capable of boosting Nigeria’s shipping capacity and supporting export-driven growth.
The council further noted that the Gelegele Seaport project in Edo State could complement existing facilities and ease congestion in the country’s busiest ports if fully developed.Raising concerns over reports that over ₦1.3 trillion has been committed to port development in Lagos, the IYC warned that continued neglect of other regions could fuel economic exclusion and heighten ethnic tensions.
The group stressed that equitable infrastructure development is essential in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria, adding that failure to address such imbalances could deepen divisions and threaten national unity. The IYC also called for broader engagement with stakeholders in the Niger Delta, urging the Federal Government to match its international partnerships with inclusive local consultations in host communities.
It maintained that developing ports across the Niger Delta would not only decongest Lagos facilities but also stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, enhance security and promote industrialisation. The council urged key agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to commence feasibility studies, dredging and public-private partnership initiatives aimed at reviving the identified ports.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the IYC called on President Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate statesmanship by ensuring that national projects reflect true inclusivity and balanced development across all regions.
