Peterside Challenges Media to Hold Nigeria’s Maritime Sector Accountable

Peterside gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Lagos NUJ Press Week with the themed, Politics, Ports and Public Interest: The Media’s Catalytic Role in Driving Economic Growth in Nigeria.

Peterside posited that Nigeria’s ports should no longer be regarded merely as gateways for cargo and revenue collection, but as critical economic infrastructure capable of driving industrialisation, boosting exports, attracting investment and creating jobs.

According to him, inefficiencies at the ports have direct consequences for Nigerians, contributing to higher prices of food, machinery and manufactured goods, while prolonged delays can undermine business confidence and discourage investment.

Peterside said political governance plays a significant role in port performance through regulation, institutional leadership, infrastructure development and the coordination of agencies operating across the maritime sector.

He, however, cautioned against attributing every port delay to government failure, noting that global shipping is also affected by geopolitical conflicts, adverse weather, port congestion and disruptions to international trade routes.

He challenged journalists to distinguish between policy failures and external shocks, urging them to move beyond reporting official announcements and instead track measurable outcomes.

The former NIMASA director-general called for sustained media attention to key port-performance indicators, including cargo dwell time, vessel turnaround, cargo-clearance periods, inspection delays, documented charges, export processing and concession performance.

He also advocated the publication of quarterly port-performance scorecards and urged journalists to track government contracts, concessions, public expenditure and official commitments until their outcomes are established.

Peterside further called for greater technical capacity among journalists covering the maritime sector, particularly in data journalism, maritime regulation, public procurement and international trade.

He noted that the reported 24.8 per cent increase in cargo throughput between 2024 and 2025 was significant, but cautioned that increased cargo volumes alone should not be interpreted as evidence of broader economic prosperity.

Instead, he urged the media to focus increasingly on how efficiently Nigeria’s ports enable businesses to produce, trade and invest, as well as their contribution to job creation and wider economic development.