The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has intensified efforts to expand Nigeria’s inland port network, moving to validate consultant reports for the proposed Moniya Inland Dry Port (IDP) in Oyo State.
At a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, on Friday, government officials, industry players and community representatives examined key aspects of the project, setting the stage for its next phase of development.
TheFact Daily reports that the exercise comes shortly after the successful validation of the Ijebu-Ode IDP, underscoring a coordinated push to deepen inland logistics infrastructure.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Director of Maritime Services, Mr. Oyinloye Meshack, said the Moniya project is designed to reposition the Ibadan axis as a major inland trade hub, leveraging its strategic connectivity to national transport corridors.
He explained that inland dry ports are central to ongoing reforms aimed at decongesting seaports, cutting cargo transit time, and improving access to shipping services for businesses located far from coastal areas.
Meshack highlighted the economic potential of the project, noting that its location within a vibrant industrial and agricultural zone offers significant opportunities for export growth, particularly in agro-based commodities.
He further stressed that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic agenda, including job creation, improved trade competitiveness, and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Ministry called for critical stakeholder engagement to fine-tune the reports, with particular attention to land acquisition issues, environmental safeguards, host community relations, and integration with road and rail systems.
Participants were urged to ensure that all technical and social considerations are addressed to deliver a viable and sustainable project.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the project, describing it as a transformative investment that will strengthen Oyo’s position in Nigeria’s logistics value chain.
He noted that the dry port, once operational, would serve as a key export processing and distribution centre, boosting industrialisation, enhancing revenue generation, and creating employment opportunities.
Babatunde added that the state government is prioritising infrastructure development to support the project, with the goal of building a modern logistics hub capable of easing congestion at seaports and facilitating smoother cargo movement across the region.
The outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting is expected to provide a clear roadmap for advancing the Moniya IDP, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of inland transport systems.
