The Federal Government and APM Terminals have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport in Lagos State, a move expected to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and enhance its status as a regional trade hub.
The agreement was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, during an official visit by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who led a federal delegation aimed at deepening maritime cooperation and attracting investment into Nigeria’s port sector.
Under the terms of the MoU, APM Terminals will enter into exclusive negotiations with Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited to assess and advance the development of the greenfield port project.
The agreement was executed on behalf of APM Terminals by the Group Chief Executive Officer of A.P. Moller-Maersk, Vincent Clerc, while Didi Ndiomu, Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited, signed for the project promoters.
If developed, the Badagry Deep Seaport is expected to provide additional deepwater capacity for Nigeria’s maritime sector, accommodate larger container vessels, and create new transshipment opportunities for cargo destined for other West African countries.
The proposed facility is also expected to complement existing port infrastructure while helping to ease congestion at major ports located in densely populated urban centres.
The signing of the MoU was one of the key outcomes of Oyetola’s engagements in Denmark, where he and members of his delegation held discussions with senior Danish government officials and stakeholders in the maritime industry.
During the visit, both parties also discussed the possible extension of APM Terminals’ port concessions at the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State.
Speaking on the development, Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and fostering an enabling environment for long-term private sector investment.
According to the minister, the engagement aligns with the administration’s broader strategy of positioning the marine and blue economy as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and foreign investment.
APM Terminals’ Managing Director for Africa and Europe, Igor van den Essen, said the company remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic development and strengthening its role as a major trade gateway in West Africa.
He noted that continued investment in the company’s operations in Apapa and Onne would contribute significantly to improving trade efficiency and port capacity.
Van den Essen added that the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport would create much-needed additional capacity while reducing pressure on existing ports and opening up new commercial opportunities.
He also expressed support for the Federal Government’s efforts to expand trade, attract investment, and consolidate Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime gateway in the region.
According to him, strong public-private partnerships will be vital in delivering the long-term investments required to improve infrastructure, enhance the business environment, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
For Ndiomu, the agreement marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s maritime development, particularly with the participation of a leading global port operator.
He described the proposed investment in Badagry as a strategic step towards transforming Nigeria into the maritime capital of sub-Saharan Africa, in line with the government’s ambitious growth plans for the sector.
Beyond meeting domestic cargo demands, the Badagry Deep Seaport is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s role in regional supply chains by handling transshipment cargo for neighbouring West African countries, while also creating fresh opportunities in logistics, trade, and maritime services.
