By Samuel Akpan
Nigeria has advanced plans for a new deepwater gateway following a Memorandum of Understanding signed by APM Terminals in Copenhagen to explore the Badagry Deep Seaport project.
The greenfield development aims to relieve regional port congestion and boost West African commerce.
Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola led a federal delegation—including Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho—to Denmark for Monday’s signing with the Maersk-owned terminal operator, signaling stronger bilateral maritime ties and fresh private investment opportunities.
Vincent Clerc, group Chief Executive of A.P. Moller-Maersk, signed for APM Terminals. Didi Ndiomu signed as managing director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited.
The ministry said both sides will now enter negotiations, with APM Terminals signalling its readiness to carry the scheme forward as a long-term investment.
Oyetola said the greenfield port should add deepwater capacity, take larger container ships and open transshipment routes for Nigeria and the wider West African market.
He added that Abuja remains committed to stronger maritime infrastructure and an enabling climate for lasting private-sector investment in the sector.
“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,” the minister said.
Partnerships with global terminal operators on projects such as Badagry, he noted, sit at the heart of plans to make Nigeria a trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
The delegation also discussed extending APM Terminals’ concessions at the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the West Africa Container Terminal in Onne.
Igor van den Essen, APM Terminals’ managing director for Africa and Europe, said existing investments plus the Badagry plan would reinforce Nigeria’s standing as a regional trade hub.
“Additionally, developing Badagry as a greenfield project will further ease congestion in city ports and further open new opportunities,” van den Essen said.
He welcomed Abuja’s push to expand trade, attract capital and strengthen Nigeria as a maritime gateway, arguing public-private partnerships can drive long-term investment, improve the business climate and lift competitiveness.
Ndiomu called the proposed investment a new chapter in Nigeria’s maritime story.
“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.
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