Nigeria: Ibom Deep Sea Port - NDC Questions Tinubu's Fresh Approval

What the report says

Nigeria’s opposition National Democratic Congress has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s latest approval of the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port, saying the project had already received federal backing under former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020. The comments were reported by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, with the party arguing that the repeated announcements raise questions about why the same project is being approved again.

According to the report, the earlier approval came from the Federal Executive Council in December 2020 and covered the first phase of the $4.6 billion project. The NDC said that decision identified Bollore/Power China as the preferred bidder and was expected to open the way for construction. The party linked its criticism to Tinubu’s recent visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he announced fresh approval for the port.

The opposition also pointed to Tinubu’s 2023 campaign remarks in Uyo, when he promised to help build the seaport if elected. In its statement, the NDC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of making promises without delivery and urged Nigerians to hold it accountable.

The dispute highlights a broader political argument over infrastructure commitments in Akwa Ibom State. Cautious background: deep sea ports are typically major transport and trade projects intended to expand maritime capacity and support regional economic activity, but the report does not say when construction would begin or whether the latest approval changes the project’s status.