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APMT pledges fresh $600m investment to boost terminal operations at Apapa port.

Funso OLOJO,  Editor
The APM Terminals has pledged a fresh investment portfolio of $600m to shore up its terminal operations at the Apapa Port.
The Dutch company operates the largest container terminals in the West African sub- regional at Apapa port.
The Regional President, APM Terminals Africa-Europe, Igor van den Essen, disclosed this when he led other executives, including Head of Investments, APM Terminals, Martijn Van Dongen, and CEO, APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, to meet with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
Igor van den Essen said the proposed investments will be deployed in Apapa port modernisation, logistics infrastructure, and long-term private-sector investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
President Tinubu welcomed the investments, emphasising that Nigeria is repositioning itself for greater competitiveness through ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure modernisation.
He said the country is determined to move beyond structural bottlenecks and outdated systems, stressing the need for advanced technology, faster cargo processing, and improved operational efficiency across the nation’s ports.
He emphasised that Nigeria possesses the market scale, talent base, and economic potential to support globally competitive maritime and logistics infrastructure investments and called on other investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s reform outcomes.
Earlier, Igor van den Essen lauded President Tinubu’s reform agenda and policy direction, which had strengthened investor confidence and created renewed momentum for long-term infrastructure investments.
He described Nigeria as a strategic stronghold within its African operations, referencing over 20 years of collaboration and substantial existing investments in the country’s port ecosystem.
He reaffirmed his company’s commitment to expanding investments in Nigeria and disclosed plans to support the development of world-class terminal infrastructure and technology-driven port operations.
He also commended President Tinubu for establishing the National Single Window (NSW), which has streamlined trade procedures, improved Customs coordination, and reduced delays in cargo clearance.
In another meeting with Winme Group executives, President Bola Tinubu called for deeper investment partnerships to unlock Nigeria’s opportunities in logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure development.
He stressed the need for integrated investments linking ports, transport systems, processing facilities, and export infrastructure to drive industrial growth and competitiveness.
The delegation expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term investment potential, having closely followed President Tinubu’s reforms.
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Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
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‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
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‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.
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‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.
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‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.
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‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.
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‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
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‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.
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‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.
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‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.
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‎“Technology changes processes  leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
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‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.
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‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.
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‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.
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‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.
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Customs

Oshoba, Apapa Customs boss, charges officers on discipline, revenue, trade facilitation

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged officers and men of the Command to intensify revenue generation, strengthen anti-smuggling operations and uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Comptroller Oshoba gave the charge during the Command’s monthly parade held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The Area Controller emphasized the need for greater operational interventions across terminals to block revenue leakages while ensuring seamless trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.

“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. That is why any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated.

“Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he stated.

He also urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their dealings with stakeholders.

“You must make yourself accessible to our stakeholders and we must avoid actions capable of tarnishing the good image of the Service and the good work being done by the CGC and members of his management.

“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba added.

The CAC further called for heightened vigilance against smuggling activities, especially illicit drugs and prohibited items, while warning officers against misconduct and improper dressing.

Highlight of the parade was the recognition of outstanding Officers and Units for exemplary service.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed emerged as the Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation and punctuality respectively.

Similarly, officers of APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, while Officers of ECO SUPPORT Terminal received the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.

Comptroller Oshoba explained that the award initiative was introduced to encourage hard work, excellence, professionalism and healthy competition among Officers and Units of the Command.

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Headlines

NPA shops for investors to drive deep seaports project of federal government 

– says Lekki ports responsible for rising GRT for ocean- going vessels at Nigerian ports.
Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has come out to confess that the rising Gross Registered Tonnage(GRT) for the ocean – going vessels recently being witnessed at the Nigerian ports is being driven by the Lekki Deep seaport.
Making this disclosure was the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic communications, NPA, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemakara while playing host to the new leadership of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) which was on a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026.
While reviewing the infrastructural upgrade and the modernisation project at the nation’s sea port, Onyemakara disclosed that the upsurge in cargo throughputs and increased vessels gross registered tonnage at the Nigerian ports are being driven by the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
He disclosed that the modern trend in shipping has shifted to large vessels which go to ports of deep draught, an attribute which he said the Lekki Deep Sea Port has.
” If  we check our operational statistics, Lekki port is pulling weight more than the others.
“The Port is the one giving us the numbers as far as I’m concerned because of its deep draught” the NPA chief spokesman declared.
It could be recalled that the NPA recently released the Qi 2026 report in which it declared an upsurge in cargo throughputs and higher GRT for vessels that called at the Nigerian Ports during the period under review.
‎According to the report , Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded strong operational growth during the period  with Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for ocean-going vessels rising by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million.
The report noted that the development reflects a strategic shift toward larger and more efficient vessels, driven partly by the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and expanding trade demand.
Onyemakara said that was the reason the government is investing heavily in deep seaports project because that is the focus of international shipping which relies  on jumbo vessels for carriage of goods.
“We are the biggest economy. The population is here. The market is here” the NPA image maker enthused.
” So when you have all these things and you have an effective and efficient port system, which will come from the modernization of our ports, we can be sure that it will not be difficult for the whole of our ports in Nigeria to do a transshipment.”
He explained that the current infrastructural upgrade and modernisation project of the NPA is meant to position Nigerian ports as the hub of maritime activities in the sub- regional African.
“Most vessels being built globally today are designed for large draft channels. If we fail to position ourselves appropriately, we will simply be wasting time.
“What we have seen in our first quarter operational statistics will become insignificant compared to what the industry can achieve after modernisation,” he explained.
Onyemekara added that Nigeria possesses the demographic and economic fundamentals needed to emerge as a major maritime hub in Africa, stressing that efficient and modern ports would naturally attract higher cargo volumes and transshipment business.
“The economy is here, the population is here, and the market is here. Once you combine these with an efficient port system, Nigerian ports can become major transshipment hubs within the region,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with developments in the aviation sector globally, he explained that countries seeking greater competitiveness were investing heavily in infrastructure expansion rather than merely cosmetic upgrades.
“We are concentrating on where it matters most, where the vessels come in. That is the essence of the port modernisation project,” he added.
Onyemakara further explained that the Federal government is very serious in development of its deep seaports in Nigeria.
According to him, the proposed deep seaports at Badagry in Lagos state, Bakassi deep seaport, Ibom deep seaports, Ibaka deep seaports and Olokola deep seaports have all been approved by the Federal government for development by private sector.
” In view of what is happening. We have created an environment where private investors will come and invest.
“At Lekki port, you know the people that brought money for it.
“Yes. So, every other deep sea ports, what we have done is to regulate all that is needed for those ports to be situated”
Onyemakara said with the government efforts at  creating an enabling environment, what is required of the private sector is to move into these areas to develop them.
“Private sector, go and bring money.
” We are just waiting for investors. It’s there.
“At the end of the day, bring the money now ,that is the issue.
” And what government is looking for is private people coming to partner with government. So, anybody that is ready to
bring his funds privately” he noted.
The Nigerian government is heavily investing in deep sea port projects via Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to decongest existing Lagos ports and boost maritime trade.
The major projects include the operational Lekki Deep Sea Port, the upcoming $4.2b Ibom Deep Seaport, the $3.5B Bakassi Deep Seaport, and the Badagry Deep Sea Port, designed to handle large vessels.
The Lekki Deep Sea Port is fully operational since 2023 and serves as a major hub with a 16.5m depth, handling containers and bulk cargo to relieve Apapa and Tincan Island ports.
Ibom Deep Seaport ($4.2 Billion) is  located in Akwa Ibom, this project features a natural 17.5m depth.
It aims to be the largest container terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting 9 million TEUs annually.
Bakassi Deep Seaport ($2.27B – $3.5B) is  located in Cross River State.
This project received federal certification in late 2025 and is aimed at improving access to Nigeria’s North-Central/East regions.
Badagry Deep Sea Port with $53B Projected Revenue is a Federal Executive Council-approved project designed to be a multi-purpose facility, including container, liquid, and dry bulk terminals.
Ondo Multipurpose Deep Seaport is a $1.3 Billion project aimed at handling various cargo types, supported by a 30,000-hectare industrial city.
Dangote Deep Sea Port Ogun State is a major private-sector initiative aimed at complementing the Dangote Refinery.

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