Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called for a strategic alliance between federal maritime agencies and the Akwa Ibom State Government to accelerate the development of the Ibom Deep Seaport, a long-anticipated infrastructure project poised to transform West Africa’s shipping landscape.
The resolution, passed during a recent plenary session, followed a motion introduced by Hon. Unyime Idem, a lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom under the All Progressives Congress (APC), and co-sponsored by nine other legislators. The motion emphasized the need for coordinated federal involvement to unlock the project’s full economic potential.
Key federal institutions—including the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)—were specifically named as critical partners. Lawmakers also mandated relevant House committees to conduct an on-site assessment and deliver actionable recommendations to support the project’s execution.
Idem underscored the strategic importance of the seaport, citing its potential to serve as a regional logistics hub and a catalyst for industrialization. He referenced a projection by the NPA estimating that the port could attract over 5.6 Billion Dollars in investment, positioning it as one of the most significant infrastructure ventures in Nigeria’s recent history.
The proposed seaport, located along Nigeria’s southeastern coastline, is designed to accommodate ultra-large vessels and facilitate high-volume cargo operations. Its completion is expected to decongest existing ports in Lagos and Port Harcourt, while enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime trade.
Drawing on a 2022 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report, Idem highlighted that inefficiencies in Nigeria’s port infrastructure have curtailed the country’s export capacity by as much as 40%. He argued that the Ibom Deep Seaport could reverse this trend by streamlining logistics and reducing turnaround times for international shipments.
Beyond trade facilitation, the project is projected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate local manufacturing, and strengthen regional value chains. It also aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambitions to harness its maritime domain as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Despite its promise, the project has faced delays due to bureaucratic bottlenecks and funding constraints. Advocates argue that federal endorsement and institutional coordination are essential to overcoming these hurdles and attracting long-term investors.
Akwa Ibom, a coastal state with vast marine resources, remains underutilized in Nigeria’s maritime economy. Idem lamented that without infrastructure like the deep seaport, the state continues to miss out on foreign direct investment and broader economic opportunities.
The renewed legislative push signals growing momentum behind the seaport initiative, which analysts say could redefine Nigeria’s role in Africa’s blue economy. If realized, the Ibom Deep Seaport would not only serve domestic needs but also offer a strategic gateway for landlocked countries in Central Africa.
