Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations of marginalisation of indigenous barge operators in the country’s maritime sector.

The directive was issued during a recent stakeholders’ engagement and first-quarter performance review convened by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, where industry players raised concerns over what they described as unfair treatment of local operators.

Barge operators alleged that foreign-linked companies are being given preferential access to port facilities, creating an uneven playing field that undermines indigenous participation. They cited challenges such as limited access to berthing space, inconsistent regulatory policies, and rising operational costs as major constraints affecting their operations.

Some stakeholders pointed to ongoing tensions at Apapa Port, where disputes over access and pricing have heightened concerns about the dominance of a few operators in the system. In response, Oyetola directed the Nigerian Shippers' Council to carry out a thorough and impartial probe into the allegations.

He stressed that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, and competitiveness within the maritime industry. The Ministry will not tolerate any form of anti-competitive practice that stifles the growth of indigenous operators,” the minister said, assuring stakeholders that appropriate measures would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

further emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue between regulators and industry players to address operational bottlenecks and promote inclusive growth in the sector. The development comes amid ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening local capacity in Nigeria’s maritime industry and reducing dependence on foreign operators.

Analysts say the outcome of the probe could shape future regulatory policies and determine the level of protection extended to indigenous businesses operating within the nation’s ports.