The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the Baro River Port into a vibrant inland gateway, outlining concrete steps to overcome existing challenges and unlock its full economic potential.
Speaking on Tuesday before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Challenges and Prospects of the Baro River Port, Oyetola acknowledged that while the facility was commissioned in 2019, it has struggled to operate at capacity due to gaps in supporting infrastructure and navigability.
“Although commissioned in 2019 under the past administration, the port has faced operational constraints — chief among them, the absence of critical linkages to road and rail infrastructure, and navigability challenges along the River Niger,” the minister told the lawmakers.
The minister emphasised actionable solutions — including improving river navigability through capital and continuous dredging, developing road and rail connections for seamless cargo movement, attracting credible private sector operators through concessions and partnerships, and instituting transparent governance systems.
He announced that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) plans to dredge up to 2,000 kilometres of inland waterways, a move that will ensure Baro Port maintains the appropriate depth for year-round operations.
“Our Ministry remains unwavering in its determination to transform Baro from a dormant facility into a thriving inland gateway,” Oyetola said. “We are working closely with the Federal Ministries of Works and Transportation to deliver an integrated framework that combines infrastructure, operational efficiency, and private sector participation.”
Located in Niger State, the Baro River Port is strategically positioned to link agricultural value chains and serve as a feeder to Onitsha, Lokoja, and Warri ports. Oyetola noted that, once operational, it could significantly boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ease pressure on the nation’s highways.
In his presentation, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, recalled that the Baro Port was first established in 1908 by Lord Lugard to facilitate the shipment of agricultural produce and livestock, serving as a major trade link between northern and southern Nigeria.
He noted that the port holds significant economic potential for the country, with all necessary facilities and equipment already in place. However, he identified the lack of dredging, as well as inadequate road and rail connectivity, as key challenges preventing the port from reaching full operational capacity.
Oyebamiji informed the committee that the project was awarded by the previous administration at a cost of ₦3.56 billion, of which ₦3.35 billion — representing 94 percent — has already been paid to the contractor.
He added that arrangements are currently underway to concession the port to private operators in order to attract fresh investment and ensure its effective operationalization.
Also speaking, Minister of Transportation Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali revealed that his ministry is developing a rail line to connect Baro Port with the rest of the country. He acknowledged funding as a major hurdle and appealed to lawmakers for adequate budgetary provisions to ensure the linkage is completed.
Speaking earlier, the House Ad-Hoc Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, underscored that the panel’s role is not investigative but facilitative, aimed at ensuring the full operationalization of the port. He disclosed that the current engagement will be followed by a national stakeholders’ forum to build consensus and mobilise political, technical, and financial backing for the project.
Abdullahi stressed the committee’s determination to see Baro Port fully utilised, describing its strategic value to national trade, regional connectivity, and economic diversification as “immense and non-negotiable.”
Located in Niger State, the Baro River Port is strategically positioned to link agricultural value chains and serve as a feeder to Onitsha, Lokoja, and Warri ports. Oyetola noted that, once operational, it could significantly boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ease pressure on the nation’s highways.
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