Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the proposed Ondo Deep Seaport will operate as a major hub for international trade, serving Nigeria and parts of the West African sub-region.
Gatekeepers News reports that Aiyedatiwa made this known on Wednesday while receiving the revalidated licence for the port from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja. He said the depth of the port would allow very large vessels—bigger than those currently operating at the Lagos ports—to berth with ease.
The governor recalled that the licence for the project, initially approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, was submitted for revalidation after errors were identified in the original document.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa commended the Federal Government for fast-tracking the revalidation process, noting that the state was now fully prepared to commence the project.
According to him, the deep seaport would serve as a strategic hub for international trade and could not be limited to state-level operations.
“Such infrastructure cannot be restricted to state use alone. It is a gateway to international operations and businesses, with the capacity to support industry, commerce and the economy as a whole,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the port, designed to cater for businesses across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries, would have a natural draught of about 18 metres, making it suitable for large-capacity vessels.
He added that the size and depth of the seaport would eliminate the need for trans-shipment, as vessels would be able to sail directly into Ondo State waters.
The governor said the project would have a far-reaching impact on Nigeria’s economy, stressing that its benefits would go beyond cargo handling.
According to him, once construction begins and the ground is broken, there would be increased movement of people into the state, including those involved in financial and humanitarian services, with positive implications for hospitality, employment and overall economic growth.
