The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has restated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to overhauling Nigeria’s logistics sector to meet global standards and enhance trade facilitation.
Oyetola who was represented by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding, Mr Kingsley Igwe at the commissioning of Zenith Carex Logistics’ new corporate headquarters in Abuja over the weekend, described the milestone as a testament to the resilience and rising impact of indigenous logistics firms in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
The commissioning also marked a dual celebration, coinciding with the 51st birthday of the company’s founder- Dr Adelana Olamilekan.
While commending the Zenith Carex team for their contribution to the logistics value chain, the Minister Oyetola emphasized the need for sustained professionalism, infrastructure development, and regulatory clarity in the sector. He noted that a well-structured logistics ecosystem is pivotal to achieving the nation’s economic diversification agenda.
Oyetola identified the Badagry Deep Seaport as a flagship project poised to transform Nigeria’s blue economy. With an estimated revenue projection of $53 billion and over 250,000 job opportunities, the port is expected to serve as a major logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
However, he warned that persistent challenges such as poor intermodal infrastructure and rising security threats along transport corridors continue to disrupt cargo movement and increase operating costs for stakeholders.
Highlighting the evolving nature of the logistics industry, Oyetola clarified that logistics encompasses more than just freight forwarding—it includes warehousing, haulage, shipping, and distribution. He called for the standardization of industry classifications and the promotion of professionalism to enhance service quality and international competitiveness.
The Minister also disclosed an ongoing partnership between the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The initiative aims to register logistics operators around airports and seaports, a move that will strengthen identity management and improve operational oversight.
As Nigeria positions itself for full participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and prepares for the commencement of operations at the Badagry Port, Oyetola emphasized that building institutional capacity and human capital must remain a top priority.
According to him, the future of Nigeria’s logistics sector lies in bold reforms, strategic investments, and the readiness to compete on the continental and global stages.
