By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
Executive Secretary of the Institute of Export Operations and Management (IEOM), Mr Ofon Udofia, has called on the Federal Government to implement a 30 percent rebate on tariffs in the bid to revive the underutilized eastern ports.
He warned that failure to take action on utilization of the eastern ports would leave Nigeria’s maritime economy in decline while other nations race ahead emphasizing that the rebate would reduce the high rate of shipping imposed on eastern ports that suppress businesses in the east.
Udofia made the call while addressing journalists at the 2025 Correspondents’ Week Dinner, organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Rivers State Correspondents’ Chapel, in Port Harcourt.
He bemoaned the poor state of eastern ports such as Calabar, Rivers, Onitsha, Onne, Warri and Koko ports, describing them as “idle assets” wasting away due to years of policy neglect and lack of infrastructure investment.
“For the eastern ports to work, there should be 30% rebate and you will see all the eastern ports open. Calabar Port is like a swimming pool today. Koko Port is a forgotten project,” he lamented.
Udofia stressed that unlocking the potential of the blue economy begins with strategic investments and policies that encourage trade through neglected maritime corridors.
He challenged the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) and other institutions in Rivers State to rise to the occasion.
“If you don’t do something on time, others will take over from you. Why is Uniport not offering blue economy as a course, to make Rivers State the centre of blue economy?”
He highlighted the role of media professionals in promoting trade, he proposed an NUJ Export Entrepreneurial Programme, with a focus on the eastern ports saying that journalists are uniquely positioned to succeed in the export sector due to their reach, access, and research skills.
“Journalists can do brokerage by linking buyers to sellers all over the world and make a lot of money. You journalists have thinking fingers; there is no corner in Nigeria that you cannot enter and come out. You must wake up and export your service. When writing your news stories, look at the environment — there are so many products in Nigeria that are highly valued and highly priced abroad.”
Udofia linked Nigeria’s persistent insecurity to mass unemployment, emphasizing that the export value chain could be a powerful tool for job creation and economic stability.
“See the issue of insecurity in this country is fuelled by unemployment. Anyone who is gainfully employed cannot go into kidnapping or banditry. Export value chain is a sector that can curb unemployment in Nigeria,” he stated.
Taking a swipe at what he described as “cosmetic approaches” to training and capacity building in the sector, he criticized the practice of issuing export licenses to individuals with no formal export knowledge.
“Nigeria is the only country in the world where people are given an export license without having any knowledge of export. You don’t learn export in seminars,” he argued.
“I read in the news that NIMASA paid N300 billion to train 3,000 seafarers, a country without any vessel or shipping line. So after their training, where will you place them?” he asked.
He also rated Nigeria’s current university curriculum as outdated and not designed to build entrepreneurs or solve practical problems.
“Our university curriculum is certificate-based. It was designed for people to graduate and work in the civil service, not to solve problems or create wealth.”
On global trade dynamics, he said recent policies under U.S. President Donald Trump — particularly those that reduced dependence on Chinese imports — should be seen as an opportunity for Nigerian exporters.
“What Trump is doing is not a problem but an opportunity for countries like Nigeria to go into export and to increase our export capacity,” he said.
Earlier, chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Ameachi Okonkwo, praised the theme of the week’s events and called for sustained reporting on the blue economy and maritime issues in the Niger Delta and beyond.
“Blue economy has the huge potential to boost Rivers State economy. Let us not stop writing on the blue economy as the week ends, but let’s continue the discussions,” Okonkwo urged.
He also used the opportunity to honor departed members of the Chapel who passed on within the year and extended gratitude to supporters of the 2025 Correspondents’ Week, including NLNG, NDDC, HYPREP, Indorama, Rivers State Education Champions League, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, and all members of the Correspondents’ Chapel.
“We must appreciate God who has helped us this far. I also want to thank those who have made this week successful.”
