"I Battled Entrenched Interests to End Apapa Gridlock"–Oyetola
Kathy Kyari
The fierce backroom struggles that resulted in the resolution of the Apapa congestion, an issue that hindered port operations and economic activity in Nigeria for more than 20 years, have been clarified by His Excellency Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, CON, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
Oyetola revealed this while on a research tour of the ministry with research Group 4, Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
According to the Minister, vested interests' meticulously nurtured dysfunction was the cause of the Apapa standstill rather than a natural by product of urban congestion.
“The Apapa gridlock wasn’t natural — it was engineered,” Oyetola said.
“There were people who built careers and empires on the dysfunction of that corridor. Breaking that cycle meant taking on forces who didn’t want change.”
Shortly after assuming office in 2023, Oyetola recognized that reforming the Apapa corridor was essential to unlocking Nigeria’s blue economy. But beyond poor infrastructure, what he encountered was a deeply entrenched system of corruption and collusion.
“Clearing that gridlock meant going against years of collusion, corruption, and carefully cultivated disorder. We identified the patterns, unmasked the players, and took decisive action. It was gritty and risky, but it had to be done,” he stated.
Oyetola credited strategic collaboration between ministries as a major driver of success. In December 2023, he formally sought the intervention of the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, to repair critical sections of the port access roads.
“I knew our efforts would not amount to much if the roads remained impassable. I reached out to my colleague, Senator Umahi, and appealed for his support. He responded with commendable urgency. The repairs began swiftly, and that infrastructural support gave our reforms the room they needed to take hold,” he said.
The Lagos State Government also received praise for backing the clean-up efforts, including the removal of illegal structures and roadside shanties.
With the roads repaired and a digital truck scheduling system deployed, the notorious gridlock began to ease and eventually disappeared altogether.
"For the first time in over 20 years, trucks no longer spent weeks waiting to pick up or deliver cargo. Port users began to experience seamless movement, while haulage costs dropped by as much as 60 percent,” Oyetola noted.
“The difference is night and day. Where chaos once reigned, there is now order. Where traders once lost billions, we are now attracting major container carriers. The ports are alive again. Trade is moving. Time is being saved. Revenue is growing.”
Beyond improved logistics, Oyetola highlighted the broader impact on businesses and residents in the Apapa area.
"Too many lives were lost during those years of gridlock. People lost livelihoods, businesses closed, and property values collapsed. I am happy that we have restored hope and opened a new chapter,” he said.
Despite the turnaround, the Minister emphasized the importance of continued vigilance to ensure the gains are not reversed. He described the Apapa victory as a defining moment — not just for his ministry, but for the country’s maritime future.
Brigadier General Abdulrahaman Idris, who led the NIPSS delegation, praised the Minister for his leadership and lauded the ministry’s transformation efforts as “giant strides.”
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