The Federal Government has taken a major step towards expanding Nigeria’s deepwater port capacity as APM Terminals signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport.
The agreement was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the visit of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who led a Federal Government delegation, according to a statement made available on Tuesday by his Special Adviser Dr. Bolaji Akinola.
The MoU, signed by A.P. Moller Maersk Group Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Clerc, for APM Terminals, and Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited, Didi Ndiomu, commits both parties to exclusive negotiations on the proposed greenfield port.
The Badagry project is expected to provide additional deepwater capacity, accommodate larger container vessels and create new transshipment opportunities for Nigeria and the wider West African market.
Speaking on the agreement, Oyetola said the development was consistent with the Federal Government’s plan to modernise the maritime sector and attract long-term private investment.
“Our engagement in Denmark underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of our blue economy,” he said.
The minister added that partnering with global terminal operators on projects such as Badagry Port was central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of making Nigeria “West Africa’s premier trade and logistics hub.”
The discussions also covered the extension of APM Terminals’ port concessions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne.
APM Terminals’ Managing Director, Africa & Europe, Igor van den Essen, said the company was interested in supporting Nigeria’s emergence as a major regional trade hub.
“APM Terminals is keen to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and position as a trade hub in West Africa,” van den Essen said.
He said continued investment in the Apapa and Onne concessions, alongside the proposed Badagry development, would help ease congestion at existing city ports and create new opportunities.
According to him, the company was encouraged by the government’s ambition to expand trade and attract investment, stressing that public-private partnerships could deliver long-term investment and improve competitiveness.
“Public-private partnerships help us deliver results that support growth because they drive long-term investment, a better business environment and, thereby, competitiveness in a rapidly developing market,” he said.
For Ndiomu, the agreement marked a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime development, particularly in the drive to establish the country as a major maritime centre in Africa.
“Investing in maritime infrastructure and especially in Badagry as a greenfield port project together with APM Terminals is the beginning of Nigeria becoming the true maritime capital of sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
The proposed port is expected to complement existing facilities by providing a new deepwater gateway capable of handling larger vessels and increasing cargo volumes.
It is also projected to strengthen Nigeria’s role as a regional transshipment hub by allowing cargo destined for other West and Central African markets to be handled through the facility.
The Federal Government said the Denmark engagement formed part of broader efforts to deepen maritime cooperation, unlock investment and position Nigeria as a stronger gateway for regional and international trade.
