FG–UK Lagos Ports Deal: Niger Delta Must Not Be Ignored — IYC
By Ndu Samuel
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government over what it described as the continued marginalisation of ports in the Niger Delta, insisting that such neglect could further fuel ethnic agitations across the country.
In a press statement signed by its Spokesman, Amb (Dr) Binebai Yerin Princewill, the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure fairness, equity, and strict adherence to the principle of federal character in Nigeria’s ongoing maritime development efforts.
The statement comes amid ongoing engagements between the Federal Government and United Kingdom authorities under the FG–UK Lagos Ports Deal, a development the IYC acknowledged but insisted must not be limited to Lagos alone.
While commending the Federal Government for its commitment to modernising port infrastructure, the IYC expressed concern that the current concentration of investments in Lagos undermines inclusivity and national balance.
According to the group, the continued centralisation of port development in Lagos places excessive pressure on existing facilities while sidelining historically significant and economically viable ports across the Niger Delta and Ijaw territories.
The council specifically urged the Federal Government to prioritise the development, rehabilitation, and full operationalisation of key ports in the region, including Burutu, Warri, Onne, Sapele, Bonny, Koko, Brass, Agge Deep Seaport, and Gelegele Seaport.
Describing these ports as naturally endowed, the IYC noted that their strategic coastal and riverine locations, deep natural channels, and proximity to international shipping routes position them as critical gateways for trade, logistics, and industrial expansion.
“It is imperative that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu takes decisive steps to revive these ports for optimal productivity and national economic growth,” the statement read
The group highlighted the historical relevance of Burutu Port, established in 1887 by the Royal Niger Company, noting that it once served as a major gateway for trade in West Africa long before the prominence of Lagos ports.
It further pointed to the untapped potential of Bayelsa State, particularly the Brass Port and the proposed Agge Deep Seaport, describing them as strategic assets capable of boosting Nigeria’s maritime capacity and driving economic growth in the South-South region.
The Gelegele Seaport in Edo State was also identified as a viable project that could complement existing facilities, ease congestion, and enhance regional trade and industrialisation.
The IYC warned that failure by the Federal Government to address these demands for inclusivity remains a major driver of rising ethnic tensions in Nigeria.
“Nigeria, as a multi-ethnic nation, must be governed with fairness and balance, where every region feels a sense of belonging. Continued neglect of critical regions like the Niger Delta risks deepening divisions and undermining national unity,” the council stated.
The group further stressed that while the Federal Government’s engagement with UK authorities is commendable, similar attention must be extended to stakeholders and host communities in the Niger Delta, particularly in Ijaw areas captured in its demands.
According to the IYC, developing ports in the Niger Delta would help decongest Lagos ports, improve national logistics efficiency, create employment opportunities, enhance security, and promote industrialisation and export diversification.
“The Ijaw nation has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economic survival, particularly through oil and gas resources, and deserves equitable access to infrastructure that will unlock its full economic potential,” the statement added.
The council called on relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to commence feasibility studies, dredging operations, and public-private partnerships aimed at reviving the region’s maritime assets.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the IYC emphasised the need for urgent and inclusive action to correct what it described as a longstanding imbalance in Nigeria’s port development strategy.
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