By Seun Ibiyemi
The federal government through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has led Federal Government efforts to attract fresh private-sector investment into the country’s maritime infrastructure, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APM Terminals and the promoters of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport.
The MoU was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Monday, September 7, 2026, during Oyetola’s official engagement with the Danish government and maritime industry stakeholders.
L–R: Group Chief Executive Officer, A.P. Moller–Maersk, Vincent Clerc; Managing Director, Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu; Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; and Managing Director, Africa & Europe, APM Terminals, Igor van den Essen, at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Badagry Deep-Seaport in Copenhagen, Denmark recently.
The agreement provides for exclusive negotiations between APM Terminals and Badagry Port Development Limited to explore the development of the greenfield Badagry Port, with the global terminal operator expressing its commitment to advancing the project.
The development is expected to increase Nigeria’s deepwater port capacity, accommodate larger container vessels, create new transshipment opportunities and strengthen the country’s position as a major trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
The agreement was signed by A.P. Moller–Maersk Group Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Clerc, on behalf of APM Terminals, and Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited, Didi Ndiomu.
Oyetola said the Federal Government was focused on modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for sustainable private-sector 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,” Oyetola said.
Group Chief Executive Officer, A.P. Moller–Maersk, Vincent Clerc (left) and Managing Director, Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Badagry Deep-Seaport in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Monday.
According to the minister, partnering with global terminal operators such as APM Terminals to explore strategic greenfield developments was critical to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s objective of positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s premier trade and logistics hub.
As part of the engagement, Oyetola and his delegation also held discussions with APM Terminals on the extension of the company’s port concessions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne.
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Managing Director, Africa and Europe, APM Terminals, Igor van den Essen, said the company was interested in supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and strengthening its position as a regional trade hub.
He said continued investment in the company’s existing concessions at Apapa and Onne, combined with the development of Badagry as a greenfield project, could help ease congestion at city ports and create additional opportunities for trade.
Van den Essen said APM Terminals was 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.
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola (right) with Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, Martin Lidegaard, during a bilateral meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Monday.
He added that public-private partnerships could promote long-term investment, improve the business environment and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Ndiomu described the proposed investment as the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime development.
He said the development of Badagry Port in partnership with APM Terminals was aligned with the Federal Government’s maritime growth strategy and could help position Nigeria as a leading maritime centre in sub-Saharan Africa.
The proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport is expected to complement existing Nigerian ports by providing a new deepwater gateway capable of handling larger container vessels and increased cargo volumes.
The project could also enhance Nigeria’s capacity to serve as a regional transshipment hub, enabling cargo destined for other West and Central African markets to be handled through the strategically located facility.
Oyetola’s Denmark engagements form part of broader Federal Government efforts to deepen international maritime cooperation, attract investment and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
