In a significant boost for Nigeria's maritime ambitions, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has officially received the Federal Government's compliance certificate for the landmark Bakassi Deep Seaport project.
A Historic Milestone for Maritime Development
The certificate was presented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, during a ceremony at the ministry's headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, December 18, 2025. This follows last week's approval of the seaport by the Federal Executive Council as one of three major transformative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.
Governor Otu described the occasion as "historic and a major milestone" in Nigeria's quest to harness its marine and blue economy potential. He applauded the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Tinubu, for establishing the dedicated ministry and for its unwavering support. The governor emphasized that with Nigeria currently underperforming in the maritime sector, Cross River State is strategically positioned to change the narrative, much like coastal economic powerhouses such as Brazil.
A $3.5 Billion Gateway to Economic Transformation
The Bakassi Deep Seaport is a strategic infrastructure project expected to attract approximately $3.5 billion in private investment. It is designed as a greenfield development to accommodate large vessels and will be integrated with an industrial cluster and a free trade zone.
Speaking at the handover, Minister Oyetola lauded Governor Otu's vision and passion, noting that the project aligns perfectly with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed optimism that the seaport would significantly boost livelihoods and the national economy. Interestingly, Oyetola revealed that while six similar deep seaport projects are ongoing across Nigeria, the Bakassi project holds the prospect of being the first to be fully realized, thanks to the speed and dedication of the Cross River State government.
Positioning Nigeria as a Regional Maritime Leader
The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Osedion Ewalefoh, was also present and hailed the project as a definitive game-changer. He outlined its far-reaching impact, stating that the Bakassi Deep Seaport will serve as a new maritime gateway for Nigeria's North-Central and North-East regions.
Furthermore, it is poised to function as a major logistics hub for West and Central Africa. The project is anticipated to create thousands of jobs and position Nigeria as a preferred maritime destination on the continent.
Governor Otu stressed that in the face of population growth and limited resources, ventures like the deep seaport offer a veritable avenue for massive investment and job creation. He expressed confidence that with the professionalism of the ministry and private sector partners, the project is firmly on track to deliver on its promises for Cross River State and Nigeria at large.
