By: Manoah Kikekon
The multi-billion dollar Badagry Deep Sea Port project has received a strategic push following the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APM Terminals and project developers to enter into negotiations for its construction.
The agreement was finalized in Copenhagen, Denmark, during an official visit by a Nigerian Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. Vincent Clerc, Group Chief Executive Officer of A.P. Moller–Maersk, signed the document on behalf of APM Terminals, while Didi Ndiomu executed the agreement for Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited.
This agreement represents a critical phase in advancing the greenfield port project, which is structured to transform Nigeria's logistics capabilities. Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Minister Oyetola emphasized that the initiative directly supports the federal administration's grand design to modernize national maritime infrastructure and cement the country's status as a premier trade hub in West Africa.
“Our engagement in Denmark underscores the Federal Government's commitment to modernising Nigeria's maritime infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of our blue economy. Partnering with global terminal operators like APM Terminals to explore strategic greenfield developments such as the Badagry Port is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision of positioning Nigeria as West Africa's premier trade and logistics hub,” Oyetola stated.
APM Terminals' Managing Director for Africa and Europe, Igor van den Essen, noted that the company is eager to back Nigeria's long-term economic growth. He pointed out that developing the Badagry facility alongside continued investments in existing terminals like Apapa and Onne will help relieve congestion at traditional city ports.
“APM Terminals is encouraged by the Nigerian government's ambition to expand trade, attract investment, and strengthen the country's position as a leading maritime gateway in West Africa, and we are proud to play a part in that ambition,” van den Essen remarked.
Didi Ndiomu hailed the pact as a transformative gateway for the region, noting that the infrastructure will unlock massive economic yields over its concession life span.
“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 in full alignment with the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's ambitious maritime growth strategy,” Ndiomu stated.
While the MoU marks a leap forward bringing the massive project closer to accommodating ultra-large container vessels and driving transshipment opportunities across West and Central Africa—stakeholders note that it serves as an exclusive negotiation framework.
Further regulatory milestones, comprehensive financial closures, and final project agreements under the guidance of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) will be required before full-scale construction breaks ground.