By Oluyinka Onigbinde
More than four years after the expiration of several port terminal concession agreements, the Federal Government has continued to maintain a deafening silence, fuelling speculations of political interference, corruption, and deliberate regulatory delay.
Findings by Shipping Position Daily show that several terminal operators, whose concession agreements expired as far back as 2021, continue to occupy and operate strategic Nigerian port terminals without valid contracts, a development described by industry experts as a threat to transparency, legality, and investors’ confidence.
The delay, which cuts across terminals in Apapa, Tin Can Island, Onne, Port Harcourt and others, has become a subject of national concern, with insiders suggesting that political considerations ahead of 2027 elections might be influencing who gets renewed or removed.
“It’s a political waiting game,” said a highly-placed maritime analyst who asked not to be named. “The government is stalling deliberately to determine which terminal operators are ‘loyal’ or can align with the ruling party before renewals are issued.”
Recall that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, had in August 2024 told Shipping Position Daily that the renewal process was already in motion and would be “concluded very soon.” “We are actively working on renewing these concessions, and the process will be concluded very soon,” he had assured. But nearly a year later, no concession has been renewed, no bidding process announced, and no official statement issued by the ministry on the fate of the expired agreements. Instead, terminal operators continue to run billion-dollar government assets with no enforceable legal frameworks binding them — a situation experts warn could become a legal minefield.
In March 2025, Shipping Position Daily had reported that the Federal Government was unlikely to renew the expired concessions, citing poor performance, lack of infrastructure reinvestment, and a damning World Bank assessment report, which recommended an overhaul of Nigeria’s port concession model.
A senior official at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy had told this newspaper: “These people are simply milking government assets without re-investing. Even the World Bank report advised a complete overhaul. The government cannot inject billions into port upgrades and hand those terminals back to underperformers. It doesn’t make sense.”
The official also alleged that several terminal operators had attempted to compromise the Minister, but failed due to his stance on transparency. “They won’t tell you how ridiculously little they pay the government, but they’re quick to accuse the Ministry of delays. Even under Buhari (former President), their renewals were rejected because they weren’t giving value.”
In a new exclusive conversation with Shipping Position Daily, an official at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy confirmed that there was still no official update on the concession renewals — more than four years after expiration. “There is no new development, maybe around six months ago, but these things have processes,” the official said. “We’re talking off-the-record for now. I’m not around, but when we return, we’ll ask for updates and we’ll share any available ones.”
The official hinted that ongoing port modernization and procurement projects may be part of the reason for the delay. “You are aware that the government has a contract for upgrading and modernizing the ports. The procurement process is ongoing. That’s the situation for now.” He added, “Once there is any update about concession, I will share. There is a process for everything. Just be patient. I promise you.”
Recall that the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari had refused to renew several concession agreements due to failure to meet Key Performance Indicators and other contractual obligations. Several operators have since lobbied the current government for renewals, but without success. Industry players argue that continued operations without valid agreements are illegal, unethical, and contrary to international best practices.
“The ports are the gateway to Nigeria’s economy. If the legal basis for terminal operations is in limbo, then the entire economy is exposed,” said a maritime lawyer who requested anonymity.
With mounting political pressure, stalled infrastructure upgrades, and rising scrutiny from international observers, stakeholders fear that the government’s continued delay could unravel the gains of the 2006 port concession programme — once hailed as a model for public-private partnerships in Africa.
“The government must come clean,” a stakeholder said. “Either you’re renewing or replacing. But don’t keep everyone in this kind of regulatory wilderness. It’s hurting the industry.”
