Maritime Development: Building Stronger Ports, Stronger Alaigbo, and a Stronger Nigeria.

THINK-HOME • INVEST-HOME • BUILD-HOME. OFFICIAL NEWS COMMENTARY

MARITIME DEVELOPMENT, ALAIGBO AND THE PRINCIPLE OF TRUE FEDERALISM

By the Igbo Think-Home Development Initiative (Igbo Economic Initiative)

The recent signing in Paris of Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone is an important development in Nigeria’s maritime and economic landscape.

The Federal Government has described the proposed Ogun Waterside port as a project with a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft, intended to expand maritime capacity, decongest the Lagos corridor and support trade, logistics, manufacturing and exports. The agreements were signed on 24 September 2026.

We congratulate Ogun State and welcome productive investment in Nigeria.

However, this development also provides an opportunity to ask a broader national question:

Can Nigeria develop multiple maritime corridors at the same time, so that no viable region is left behind?

That is the question the Igbo Think-Home Development Initiative believes should guide the conversation.

EASTERN PORTS MUST REMAIN PART OF THE NATIONAL AGENDA

It is important to distinguish between legitimate concerns about the condition, capacity and competitiveness of Eastern ports and the claim that they have simply been abandoned.

The Nigerian Ports Authority recognises Rivers, Onne, Delta/Warri and Calabar, alongside Lagos and Lekki, among Nigeria’s major ports.

Onne Port remains operational and strategically important, particularly to Nigeria’s oil-and-gas economy, with multiple terminal operators and cargo operations.

Therefore, the objective should not be to declare one region abandoned or another region favoured without sufficient evidence.

The objective should be measurable development, improved port capacity and equitable national investment.

AZUMINI–OBEAKU DESERVES SERIOUS ATTENTION

The proposed Azumini–Obeaku Seaport and Inland Waterways Corridor deserves serious attention.

But the facts should be stated accurately.

On 5 May 2026, Abia State Governor Alex Otti approved an immediate feasibility study for the proposed project with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited and asked that the proposed six-month study period be shortened.

The approval was for the feasibility study—not final approval for construction of the seaport.

If the study establishes technical, economic, environmental and commercial viability, the appropriate Federal and regulatory authorities should give the proposal due consideration.

DEVELOPMENT SHOULD NOT BE A ZERO-SUM GAME

The Think-Home Development Initiative does not believe that the success of Ogun must mean the failure of Alaigbo.

Nor should the development of Lagos, Onne, Warri, Calabar, Port Harcourt or any future Nigerian port be treated as a threat to another region.

Nigeria requires multiple efficient maritime gateways, connected by roads, rail, inland waterways, industrial clusters, agricultural production, logistics infrastructure and efficient customs systems.

That is an important dimension of true federalism:

Fair opportunity for every viable region to develop its productive potential.

WHAT SHOULD ALAIGBO DO?

Our response must go beyond complaint.

Alaigbo must organise itself for development.

We must identify our strategic economic assets, prepare credible and investment-ready projects, strengthen our ports and waterways, develop industrial and agricultural value chains, mobilise responsible capital, attract diaspora investment, build human capacity and establish partnerships capable of converting our economic potential into measurable outcomes.

We should advocate for:

• modernisation of viable Eastern ports;
• appropriate dredging and channel maintenance;
• serious consideration of viable new-port proposals;
• improved road, rail and inland-waterway connectivity;
• export-oriented industrial development;
• efficient customs and digital trade systems;
• stronger maritime security; and
• transparent, evidence-based infrastructure planning.

But advocacy alone is not enough.

Ndigbo must move from asking what government should do for us to preparing what we can build, finance and operate ourselves—lawfully, transparently and in partnership with government, the private sector and the diaspora.

A THINK-HOME CALL TO ACTION

The maritime question should therefore become part of a wider Igbo economic development agenda.

Let our professionals identify viable projects.

Let our entrepreneurs build enterprises around our productive assets.

Let our investors mobilise responsible capital.

Let our diaspora bring investment, technology, expertise and global networks.

Let our communities protect and prepare land and other productive assets.

Let our governments create an enabling environment and pursue legitimate infrastructure partnerships.

Let our development institutions coordinate research, project preparation and investment engagement.

And let Ndigbo collectively move from potential to projects, projects to investment, investment to enterprises, and enterprises to jobs and sustainable wealth.

This is the practical meaning of:

THINK-HOME • INVEST-HOME • BUILD-HOME.

LET US CHOOSE DEVELOPMENT OVER DIVISION

Legitimate concerns about infrastructure and regional development should not be converted into ethnic hostility.

There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Ogun project constitutes an intentional monopoly or “economic sabotage” against Ndigbo. Such allegations should not be presented as established facts without compelling evidence.

But there is a legitimate national conversation about balanced infrastructure development and equitable economic opportunity.

As our elders remind us:

«“A tree does not make a forest.”»

When one region attracts major investment, the wise response is to ask how other regions can also become investment-ready.

OUR THINK-HOME POSITION

The Igbo Think-Home Development Initiative welcomes Ogun’s opportunity and supports viable maritime development across Nigeria.

At the same time, we advocate serious attention to Alaigbo’s maritime, industrial, agricultural and investment potential.

We call upon Ndigbo to replace passive lamentation with strategic preparation; replace division with constructive cooperation; and replace dependence with productive investment.

Let us identify the opportunity.

Let us mobilise the resources.

Let us build the homeland.

CONCLUSION

The question should not be:

“Which region wins?”

The better question is:

“How many productive regions can Nigeria build—and how quickly can we connect them?”

That is the spirit of true federalism.

That is responsible nation-building.

And that is the Think-Home message.

«DO NOT ASK ONLY WHAT NIGERIA HAS GIVEN US. ASK WHAT WE CAN BUILD FOR NIGERIA — AND FOR OUR HOMELAND.»

THINK-HOME • INVEST-HOME • BUILD-HOME

AKU-RURU-ULO — LET WEALTH RETURN HOME.

ISSUED BY: IGBO THINK-HOME DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (IGBO ECONOMIC INITIATIVE) Duly Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja, Nigeria RC No. 9677673

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