By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Nigeria has taken a major step towards expanding its maritime infrastructure, after the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with global terminal operator APM Terminals for the development of the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport.
The agreement was signed in Copenhagen on Monday, September 7, 2026, during an official visit by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who led a Federal Government delegation to Denmark to strengthen maritime cooperation and attract more investment into Nigeria’s ports.
The MoU commits both parties to exclusive negotiations on the development of the greenfield Badagry Deep-Seaport project.
The port 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 project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to position Nigeria as West Africa’s premier trade and logistics hub.
“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. Partnering with global terminal operators like APM Terminals to explore strategic greenfield developments such as the Badagry Port is central to that vision,” the minister said.
The agreement was signed by the Group Chief Executive Officer of A.P. Moller–Maersk, Vincent Clerc, on behalf of APM Terminals, and the Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited, Didi Ndiomu.
Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu, described the proposed investment as “the beginning of Nigeria becoming the true maritime capital of sub-Saharan Africa” in line with the Tinubu administration’s maritime growth strategy.
Beyond Badagry, discussions were also held on extending APM Terminals’ existing port concessions at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa and the West Africa Container Terminal, WACT, Onne.
Managing Director, Africa & Europe, APM Terminals, Igor van den Essen, said the company is keen to support Nigeria’s economic growth and trade hub ambitions.
“APM Terminals is keen to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and position as a trade hub in West Africa. We believe further investing long-term in our concessions in Apapa and Onne helps doing that… Additionally, developing Badagry as a greenfield project will further ease congestions in city ports and further open new opportunities,” he said.
He added that APM Terminals is encouraged by the Nigerian government’s ambition to expand trade and attract investment, noting that public-private partnerships “drive long-term investment, a better business environment and, thereby, competitiveness in a rapidly developing market.”
According to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport will complement existing port infrastructure by serving as a new deepwater gateway.
The ministry said the project represents a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime development and reinforces government efforts to leverage the Blue Economy for national growth.
The MoU signing formed part of broader engagements in Denmark where Oyetola and his delegation met with senior representatives of the Danish government and stakeholders in the Danish maritime sector.
