By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Uncertainty continues to surround the renewal of Nigeria’s port concession agreements, as several terminal operators whose contracts have expired remain in operational limbo, with industry stakeholders raising concerns over delays, investment risks, and allegations that the process may be influenced by political considerations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Findings by our correspondent indicate that while some terminal concessions are still valid and running their full terms, others particularly those originally concessioned between 2006 and 2007 with 15-year tenure and later extended by five years, have either expired or are nearing expiration, without definitive renewal agreements in place.
Available records showed that a number of key terminals are currently under review for renewal or operating on extended timelines that are either expiring or already expired. These include ENL Consortium Terminals C and D (Apapa), whose extensions lapsed in 2021 and remain under review as well as Ports and Cargo Handling Services (Tin Can Island), Josepdam Ports Services, and Port and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited (Port Harcourt), all of which their initial concessions expired in 2021 and were granted five-year extensions and expected to lapse in 2026.
Also affected are Associated Maritime Services (Warri) and other similar 2006 concessionaires whose agreements were extended, but are now approaching the end of their renewed tenure, placing them within the current uncertainty bracket.
Further findings show that APM Terminals Apapa is not among the affected operators, as its concession runs from March 2006 to March 2031, placing it firmly within a valid contractual timeline. Similarly, terminals such as West Africa Container Terminal (Onne) and several oil and gas terminals in Onne, Warri, and Calabar ports also retain long-term concessions extending into the 2030s.
Industry data further indicates that, at least eight out of the 27 port concession agreements have already expired, cutting across major port locations in Apapa, Tin Can Island, Onne, and Warri.
Despite the expiration of some of these agreements, the Federal Government has continued to allow affected operators to function through interim arrangements, including short-term extensions; some reportedly on a six-month rolling basis pending the conclusion of a comprehensive renewal framework.
Our correspondent leant that the delay has triggered concerns among terminal operators, many of whom have reportedly suspended or scaled down capital investments due to uncertainty over their long-term status.
A concerned terminal operator who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the lack of clarity is already affecting business decisions.
“We cannot commit to long-term investments when we are unsure of the status of our concession. It creates instability for planning and operations,” the source said.
Another operator confirmed that stakeholders have been informally discouraged from speaking publicly on the issue, suggesting heightened sensitivity around the matter.
“There are instructions in some quarters to remain silent. That alone tells you the issue is delicate,” the source added.
Amid the delay, allegations have emerged within the maritime industry, suggesting that the renewal of some port concessions could be tied to political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, with claims that certain decisions may be deferred or influenced by broader strategic interests.
While these claims remain speculative, they have gained traction due to the prolonged silence and lack of transparency surrounding the renewal process.
There are also concerns that some existing operators may not have their concessions renewed at all, as the Federal Government is reportedly considering opening up expired terminals to fresh bidding or re-allocating them to new investors, particularly in cases involving under-performance or breach of agreement.
The situation has also attracted legislative attention, with the House of Representatives currently probing concession agreements spanning nearly two decades in an effort to reassess compliance, performance, and value delivered under the existing framework.
Meanwhile, in a chat with our correspondent, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, assured that the government is actively working on the matter.
“Work is ongoing regarding the concession renewal, and it will be renewed soon,” he said, even though, he did not provide a specific timeline for the conclusion of the process.
