Nigeria’s plan to strengthen its position in global maritime trade has taken another important step, with the Federal Government opening exclusive negotiations with APM Terminals for the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport in Lagos State.
The development followed discussions in Copenhagen, Denmark, between APM Terminals and a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The engagement resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Badagry Port Development Limited for exclusive negotiations on the project.
Oyetola described the agreement as a major step towards a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime and economic development.
“Yesterday in Copenhagen, Denmark, we took an important step towards unlocking a new chapter in Nigeria’s maritime and economic development,” he said.
The proposed Badagry port is expected to provide additional deepwater capacity and accommodate larger container vessels, while increasing cargo-handling capacity and creating room for transshipment serving Nigeria and the wider West African market.
Its potential economic impact also extends beyond port operations. The project is expected to support jobs, skills development, investment and enterprise across the maritime value chain, particularly in logistics, transportation, manufacturing and warehousing.
Badagry is part of the Federal Government effort to expand deep-sea port infrastructure along Nigeria’s coastline. Similar projects are underway or being considered in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states.
The strategy is aimed at improving Nigeria’s ability to handle growing maritime traffic and strengthening its connectivity with international and regional shipping networks. Deep-sea ports, built around naturally deep-draft channels, are designed to receive larger vessels and handle greater volumes of cargo.
At the same time, attention is being given to existing ports as the Nigerian Ports Authority is prioritising the rehabilitation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, while supporting Lekki and Badagry. The government is also pursuing the revitalisation of Eastern ports and the deployment of digital infrastructure, including the Port Community System and National Single Window.
The urgency of these investments is underscored by the growth recorded across Nigeria’s ports in 2026.
In the first quarter, cargo throughput rose 11.6 per cent year-on-year to 32.38 million metric tonnes, while the gross registered tonnage of ocean-going vessels increased 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million tonnes.
The second quarter recorded further growth. Cargo throughput climbed 12.3 per cent to 35.74 million metric tonnes, up from 31.83 million metric tonnes in Q2 2025.
Ocean-going vessel calls rose 14.4 per cent to 1,201, while their gross registered tonnage increased 22.2 per cent to 49.95 million tonnes, indicating increased calls by larger vessels.
Container traffic also grew by 11.3 per cent to 602,392 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. Transshipment reached 29,038 TEUs, compared with zero recorded in Q2 2025.
The performance follows an equally strong 2025, when total cargo throughput increased 24.8 per cent to 129.3 million metric tonnes and container traffic rose 25.7 per cent to more than 2.1 million TEUs.
With cargo volumes and vessel activity already rising, the Badagry project comes at a critical moment for Nigeria’s maritime economy. If the negotiations translate into a well-executed port, the project could help Nigeria capture more regional trade, attract investment and turn its growing maritime activity into more economic opportunities.
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