By OLA MODUPE , Lagos-
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has defended the Federal Government’s $1 billion investment in Lagos ports, insisting that the project forms part of a broader national maritime modernisation plan — not a regional agenda.
APC’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Seye Oladejo, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday while responding to criticism from opposition parties over the project.
Oladejo explained that the initiative aims to position Nigeria as West Africa’s leading maritime hub, describing the opposition’s allegations as both “uninformed and misleading.”
> “This reckless statement only exposes, yet again, the opposition’s chronic ignorance of basic economics and governance,” Oladejo said.
“Their loud opinions are rarely backed by facts, figures, or even a faint understanding of national policy direction.”
He stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was focused on holistic national growth, not the concentration of development in Lagos.
> “It is not a Lagos project – it is a Nigeria project, attracting foreign direct investment from China Harbour Engineering Company and Singapore’s Tolaram Group, both of whom saw in President Tinubu’s vision a business environment worth their billions,” he added.
Oladejo further noted that the Federal Government had ongoing infrastructure projects across other major ports, including Onne, Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri. According to him, these include the modernisation and digitalisation of Onne Port, dredging of Calabar Port to handle larger vessels, and rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt complex under a new concessionary framework.
He also mentioned that the Warri Port corridor expansion, complete with a rail link to ease inland cargo movement, is in progress.
> “But of course, the opposition wouldn’t know this – they’re too busy tweeting ignorance and recycling talking points from the political dustbin,” he remarked.
Oladejo described the $1 billion Lagos investment as a strategic move to boost exports, create jobs, and tackle inefficiencies that have long made Nigerian ports some of the most expensive in Africa.
> “The $1 billion Lagos Port investment is not ‘sabotage’; it is economic foresight,” he said. “The Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria’s first fully automated port, is already redefining port management, increasing turnaround time, and boosting revenue to government coffers.”
He maintained that the administration’s commitment to modern infrastructure was national in scope, not regional:
> “The only sabotage here is the opposition’s attempt to weaponise regional sentiments against national progress. This administration’s commitment is holistic, inclusive, and nationwide.”
Oladejo concluded by stressing that the Tinubu-led government would continue to deliver development strategically and sustainably.
> “Governance is driven by strategy, not sentiments. President Tinubu and the APC remain focused on building a Nigeria that works – one port, one project, and one policy at a time,” he said.
