‘Ogun’s $7bn Deep Seaport Project Signals New Direction For Maritime Economy’

The proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun State is set to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime and industrial capacity, a traditional leader and public affairs analyst, Otunba Adejare Rewane Adegbenro, has said.

Rewane Adegbenro, said the project followed the signing of agreements between the Ogun State government and global ports operator, DP World.

According to him, the agreements were signed in Paris on September 24, 2026, in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and generate over 50,000 direct jobs when fully developed.

He stated that, “The proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun State is set to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime and industrial capacity, following the signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and global ports operator, DP World.”

Adegbenro explained that the Gateway Deep Sea Port, planned for Ogun Waterside, will have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft to accommodate larger vessels.

“The facility is designed to accommodate larger vessels, decongest the Lagos port corridor and reduce costs and delays associated with cargo movement,” he said, quoting the Presidency.

He added that the port will be integrated with a proposed 10,000-hectare Blue Marine Special Economic Zone to support manufacturing, processing, logistics, warehousing and export-oriented businesses.

“The development is also intended to link maritime operations with industrial production, creating an economic corridor around the port and supporting the movement of goods into and out of Nigeria,” Rewane Adegbenro said.

He noted that President Tinubu, who witnessed the signing, assured investors of regulatory clarity, policy stability and federal support, including facilitating road, rail and power connectivity and removing bureaucratic obstacles.

“The President described the project as an example of cooperation between federal and subnational governments, with Ogun State providing land and structuring the investment framework while private capital and international expertise are brought into the project,” he stated.

Rewane Adegbenro further said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to connect the port and economic zone with Lagos and the hinterland, with the Presidency identifying the 28-kilometre Ogun section as key to the corridor’s commercial viability.

He disclosed that Governor Dapo Abiodun has said construction is expected to begin in November 2026 after a groundbreaking ceremony, with substantial completion projected within two and a half years.

On the broader maritime sector, Rewane Adegbenro said the Nigerian Ports Authority currently oversees major facilities in Lagos and the Eastern ports, including Onne, Warri and Calabar, while efforts are ongoing to rehabilitate and modernise existing facilities.

He observed that the Ogun project comes amid ongoing discussions over maritime infrastructure in the South-East and South-South, where some projects have faced challenges relating to channel depth, dredging, connectivity, equipment and cargo volumes.

He referenced Abia State, where Governor Alex Otti has approved a feasibility study for the proposed Azumini-Obeaku Seaport and Inland Waterways Corridor with China Harbour Engineering Company.

“The Ogun development highlights the importance of project preparation, feasibility studies, infrastructure planning, investor participation and regulatory coordination in attracting large-scale investment,” Rewane Adegbenro said.

He advised other states seeking similar projects to develop commercially viable proposals, address land and connectivity requirements, and attract credible investors.

“The real test for Ogun will now be execution. The transition from agreements to financing, construction, infrastructure connections and eventual operations will determine the project’s long-term economic impact,” he stressed.

He concluded that if successfully delivered, the investment represents more than a port.

“If successfully delivered, the project could support employment, manufacturing, logistics, exports, government revenue and wider economic activity. The $7 billion investment therefore represents more than a port development. It seeks to integrate maritime infrastructure with industrial production and international trade,” Rewane Adegbenro added.