Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved maritime projects worth ₦286 billion as part of efforts to modernise the country’s port infrastructure, strengthen maritime safety and accelerate the growth of the blue economy.
Announcing the decision after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who represented the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, said the approvals cover four major projects designed to enhance navigation, improve environmental protection and reinforce emergency response capabilities across Nigeria’s waterways.
The approved projects include the acquisition of two marine pollution control vessels valued at approximately ₦59.05 billion to tackle plastic pollution and other marine waste in Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways.
The council also approved the procurement of six pilot cutter boats worth about ₦80.03 billion to facilitate the movement of marine pilots and improve vessel navigation through the nation’s port channels.
In addition, FEC authorised the purchase of two firefighting boats at a cost of ₦34.06 billion to strengthen emergency response to fires involving ships, oil terminals and other waterfront facilities.
The largest approval, valued at ₦112.85 billion, is for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel under a joint venture involving the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector partners. The project is expected to improve navigability, support larger vessel traffic and ensure the long-term sustainability of critical maritime infrastructure.
The Federal Government said the investments form part of its broader strategy to modernise the maritime sector, improve operational efficiency and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
