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Private Sector Role Key to Port Modernization, Says Oyetola

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Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says Nigeria’s ports can only achieve true modernization if the private sector plays an active role in financing and management.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oyetola made the remark during a stakeholders’ meeting on maritime development held in Lagos on Thursday. He explained that the government alone cannot provide the investment needed to transform the country’s ports into modern, efficient hubs that can compete globally.

“The government is committed to reforming our ports, but the scale of investment required makes it clear that private sector participation is not just desirable, it is essential,” Oyetola said. “Partnerships will help us deliver modern infrastructure, digital systems, and efficient services.”

Push for modernization

Nigeria’s ports have long faced challenges including congestion, outdated facilities, and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Industry experts say these problems increase shipping costs and reduce the country’s competitiveness in global trade.

Oyetola noted that modernizing the ports would help Nigeria attract more shipping traffic, create jobs, and boost revenue. He stressed that the blue economy—covering shipping, fisheries, tourism, and marine resources—offers huge potential if the right reforms are implemented.

“Port modernization is at the heart of our national economic growth plan,” he said. “We want to position Nigeria as a maritime hub for West and Central Africa.”

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Role of private investors

According to Oyetola, private investors bring capital, technology, and expertise that can accelerate reforms. He pointed to successful models in other countries where governments partnered with private operators to expand capacity, improve services, and adopt digital solutions.

He added that Nigeria is already taking steps toward such collaboration. Public-private partnership (PPP) projects are being reviewed to ensure that investors see clear returns while the government maintains oversight and regulation.

“We are creating an environment where investors feel confident,” he said. “This means transparent policies, reduced red tape, and protection of investments.”

Industry reactions

Maritime stakeholders welcomed the minister’s call. Shipping companies and logistics operators have long urged the government to involve the private sector more deeply in port development.

Chinyere Ume, a logistics consultant in Lagos, said the move was overdue. “Private operators can make ports more efficient because they are profit-driven. Government agencies should focus on regulation and security, while the private sector handles operations,” she said.

However, some experts warned that partnerships must be carefully designed to avoid monopolies or high user charges. They urged regulators to strike a balance between investor profits and fair costs for businesses that rely on port services.

Digital transformation

Oyetola also emphasized the role of technology in modernization. He said that automation, digital tracking, and paperless processes would reduce delays and cut corruption.

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“The future of ports is digital. We cannot continue with manual systems that slow down trade and frustrate port users,” he said. “Introducing smart technology will save time, improve transparency, and align our ports with international best practices.”

Economic impact

Analysts say efficient ports are critical for Nigeria’s economy, as more than 80 percent of the country’s trade depends on maritime transport. Improving turnaround times for ships and cargo could lower costs for businesses and consumers.

Modern ports would also support Nigeria’s push to diversify its economy away from oil by boosting non-oil exports such as agricultural products and manufactured goods.

Next steps

Oyetola said the ministry would soon unveil a roadmap for port modernization, which will highlight priority projects and outline opportunities for investors. He called on both local and international partners to be part of what he described as “a new era for Nigeria’s maritime sector.”

“Our goal is simple,” he said. “We want ports that are efficient, transparent, and globally competitive. Together with the private sector, we can make this a reality.”

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Political Rift Deepens As APC Stops Gbenga Daniel From Stakeholders Gathering.

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Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel, alongside his supporters, was reportedly prevented from gaining access to the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu Ode on Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to a viral video circulating online, the former Ogun State governor confirmed the development while addressing his supporters from a branded campaign bus associated with the OGD/PBAT Movement.

In the video, Daniel alleged that the meeting’s outcome would not stand, insisting that he and his group had been barred from entering the venue despite being part of the party structure in the region.

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He stated that although they were present for the APC Ogun East caucus meeting, they were denied access, describing any resolutions taken at the gathering as invalid.

The invitation for the emergency stakeholders’ meeting, issued by party leaders in Ijebu Ode, reportedly included deputy governors, serving and former local government chairmen, councillors, and past and present lawmakers at both state and federal levels.

In a related development, Daniel recently referred to his successor, Ibikunle Amosun, as an “enfant terrible successor” during a church service marking his 70th birthday in Sagamu, where Amosun was also in attendance.

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Both politicians were once close allies before a political fallout that began ahead of the 2007 governorship election, when Amosun challenged Daniel’s re-election bid. The rivalry intensified further in the 2011 political cycle, deepening the divide between the two former governors.

Speaking at the event, Daniel remarked that Amosun’s early political ambition played a role in their fallout during his time in office.

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Explosive Scenes As Paraguay’s Top Football Match Ends In Disarray.

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Violence between supporters and police led to the abandonment of Paraguay’s biggest football fixture on Sunday, April 19, after disorder broke out during the highly anticipated Superclásico between Olimpia and Cerro Porteño.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The match, held at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción, was brought to a halt when chaos erupted inside the stands. Police responded by deploying rubber bullets and tear gas as sections of the crowd panicked, with some spectators rushing onto the pitch in search of safety.

According to reports, the unrest began after firecrackers were detonated in the area occupied by Cerro Porteño supporters. The situation quickly escalated into violent confrontations between fans and security personnel, making it impossible for the game to continue.

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Authorities confirmed that around 100 individuals were detained in connection with the incident, while at least six police officers sustained injuries. One officer is reported to be in serious condition. A hospital spokesperson stated that some of the injured officers suffered head trauma, cuts, and suspected stab wounds.

Police defended their actions, saying their intervention was necessary to protect those in attendance and restore order. They also announced plans to identify those responsible for triggering the violence, adding that such individuals could face sanctions and bans from future sporting events.

The abandoned match could have significant consequences in the Paraguayan league title race. Olimpia currently sit top of the table, holding a six-point lead over Cerro Porteño.

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Under league rules, responsibility for a match suspension may fall on the team whose supporters caused the disruption, with potential forfeiture of points. The final decision now rests with the football association’s disciplinary committee.

Following the incident, Olimpia’s president Rodrigo Nogues indicated the club would push for a three-point award, while Cerro Porteño’s president Blas Reguera argued that responsibility for stadium security should be taken into account in determining any ruling.

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Shock Call: OPM Pastor Declares JAMB Irrelevant, Pushes For UTME Abolition.

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The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has called for the abolition of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), urging the Federal Government to scrap the exam system entirely.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking during a Sunday sermon in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the cleric argued that the current admission process places excessive pressure on students and has become outdated in today’s education system.

He questioned the relevance of UTME, noting that candidates are required to pass through multiple stages of assessment, including WAEC, JAMB, post-UTME, and varying institutional cut-off marks, which he described as unnecessarily stressful and discouraging.

According to him, the system forces students who fail to meet admission requirements to wait another year and repeat the entire process, which he said adds to frustration among young people seeking higher education.

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The cleric further argued that the examination body has lost relevance, pointing out that universities still conduct additional screenings even after UTME, making the process redundant in his view.

He also raised concerns about the early morning scheduling of examinations, particularly sessions set for around 6:30 a.m., stating that it exposes candidates to safety risks and financial strain, especially those who must travel long distances and lodge near examination centres.

He explained that some families are forced to spend extra money on accommodation for candidates due to the timing and location of exam centres, which he said increases the financial burden on parents and sponsors.

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He also criticised the practice of posting candidates to faraway centres, arguing that it worsens security concerns, especially in light of reported incidents involving student safety in some parts of the country.

Comparing Nigeria’s system with admission processes abroad, he stated that many foreign universities offer direct admission based on academic results without requiring a centralised entrance examination like UTME.

He concluded by insisting that the current system needs urgent reform, describing it as overly complex and no longer suitable for students.

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