Why Overconcentration on Lekki Port is a Strategic Mistake: A Case for Regional Port Development

The Federal Government’s $1.5 billion approval for dredging Lekki Port to 19 metres reflects a lopsided development pattern that contradicts national interest, economic decentralisation, and regional equity. While Lekki may boast modern infrastructure, the logic of sidelining other viable ports, Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, and Onitsha, is flawed, short-sighted, and detrimental to Nigeria’s long-term economic sustainability.

1. Economic and Logistical Overcentralization is Dangerous

Lagos already bears the weight of:

Over 70% of Nigeria’s import-export traffic,

Chronic congestion at Apapa and Tin Can ports,

Infrastructure collapse due to overuse.

Expanding Lekki Port alone consolidates economic activity in one region, worsening gridlock, insecurity, real estate inflation, and overburdened logistics, while the rest of the country suffers underdevelopment and capital flight.

2. Strategic National Security and Redundancy Demand Multiple Operational Ports

In any country, multiple entry points reduce risks of economic sabotage or wartime disruption. If Lagos were ever blocked by geopolitical instability or attack, Nigeria would be crippled logistically.

A functional Calabar, Warri, or Port Harcourt port provides strategic redundancy and eastern/southern seaboard resilience, enhancing Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.

3. The Argument of Shallow Water is Outdated and Technically Weak

Calabar Port’s depth challenges have persisted not due to impossibility, but due to deliberate neglect, poor dredging contracts, and corruption, including a botched ₦20 billion dredging scandal exposed over a decade ago.

In 2021, the Federal Government of Nigeria said that insecurity was the major reason importers and exporters use Lagos ports and abandoned other ports.

The old port was privately administered and operated by various shipping companies until December 1969 when federal government took over. (NPA)
What will baffle you is that the Calabar port is the nearest port to 16 Northern States (especially the North Eastern States)
Even the Land locked Niger republic is closer to Calabar than Cotonou.

That port was a natural harbour for the Northern part of Nigeria since precolonial and colonial time.

The Premiere Port (Apapa Quays) was just established in 1913.

With modern engineering, Warri and Calabar can be dredged to competitive depths. This is not a technological problem, it is a governance and willpower problem.

4. Balancing National Development is a Constitutional Obligation

Nigeria is a federation. The entire South-South and South-East have no deep-sea ports functioning at optimal level, despite being the oil-producing backbone of the country.

Why should regions producing over 90% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange lack global maritime gateways?

Onitsha Inland Port, revived with a little political will, can decongest Lagos and serve the most commercially vibrant region in Nigeria, South-East and North-Central, via the River Niger.

5. Economic Devolution and Job Creation Must Be National, Not Regional

Developing Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar ports will create jobs across multiple states, reducing urban migration to Lagos and stimulating local economies.

Industrial zones in Aba, Nnewi, Benin, Asaba, Uyo, and Makurdi would benefit from closer port access.

This decentralization boosts intra-African trade (AfCFTA), improves logistics efficiency, and reduces inland haulage costs.

6. Political Balance and National Cohesion

The overinvestment in Lekki deepens perceived marginalization of other regions, especially the South-East and South-South, aggravating national discontent.

True unity is not built by monopolizing infrastructure in one geopolitical zone, but by evenly spreading federal presence and investment.

Final Thought: Develop Lekki, Yes, But Not at the Expense of the Nation

Nigeria must pursue port development in parallel, not in isolation. Lekki Port can co-exist with dredged and revived Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Warri ports. The River Niger should be harnessed to unlock Onitsha and Baro as inland shipping hubs.

A diversified port system will secure our future, strengthen federal unity, unlock regional prosperity, and reduce the catastrophic economic risks of overcentralizing port operations in Lagos.

By Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
Duruebube Uzii na Abosi

http://www.oblongmedia.net