The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has assured stakeholders of seamless operations with no disruption during the rehabilitation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager of the NPA’s Corporate Communication and Strategy Unit, gave the assurance during an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Lagos.
The Federal Government announced that the Lagos ports rehabilitation will begin in Q2 2026, with completion expected within 48 months.
In March, Nigeria and the UK sealed a £746 million export finance deal to support the redevelopment of the two major ports. Under the agreement, UK Export Finance (UKEF) will guarantee loans for the refurbishment of Apapa and Tin Can Island port complexes.
As part of the deal, British Steel will supply 120,000 tonnes of steel for the projects under a contract valued at £70 million. The agreement is expected to generate £236 million in supplier contracts for British companies, with at least 20 percent of project components sourced from the UK.
Onyemekara said the rehabilitation will be carried out in batches to ensure cargo discharge continues uninterrupted at all terminals.
“Rehabilitating our ports is a bold step by the Federal Government. We need to appreciate and support this effort,” he said.
“If Nigeria is to lead in maritime trade, it is critical that our ports are modernised to receive larger, modern vessels. Some ports in West and Central Africa already accommodate larger ships because of their modern facilities. Most cargoes destined for other countries pass through Nigeria due to our population,” Onyemekara added.
He urged stakeholders to support the government to ensure smooth operations during the rehabilitation, scheduled to commence before the end of Q2 2026.
Onyemekara stressed that the segmented approach will sustain cargo discharge and continued revenue generation, as each berthing area will be completed quickly before work begins on the next.
