FG says upgrade of TinCan, Apapa ports expected to begin in Q2 2026

The federal government says the upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos will commence in second quarter (Q2) of 2026, and completed within 48 months.

On March 19, Nigeria and the United Kingdom sealed a £746 million export finance deal to support the redevelopment of two major ports in Lagos.

Under the deal, UK Export Finance (UKEF) will guarantee loans for the refurbishment of the Apapa and Tin Can Island port complexes.

As part of the agreement, British Steel will supply 120,000 tonnes of steel for the port projects under a contract valued at £70 million.

The deal is expected to generate £236 million in supplier contracts for British companies, as at least 20 percent of the project components must be sourced from the UK.

Speaking on Channels Television, Bolaji Akinola, special adviser to the minister of marine and blue economy, said the project is set to commence in the next quarter.

“Now that the financing aspect of it has been resolved, and the financing deal has been signed with Citibank and UK Export Finance, I am very optimistic that within the next quarter, the work should starts,” Akinola said.

“It is projected that once it is flagged up, the construction work is flagged up, it will be completed within 48 months.”

He added that the project will include dredging of port channels to accommodate larger vessels.

According to the special adviser, the current maximum draft at Lagos ports is about 13 metres, but will be increased to at least 16 metres after the upgrade.

“That means vessels, much larger vessels, carrying over 10,000 TEUs and up to 20,000 TEUs in some instances, will be able to berth at our ports,” he added.

‘APAPA, TIN CAN PORTS HAVEN’T BEEN UPGRADED IN OVER 15 YEARS’

Boma Alabi, chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), said the project offers renewed optimism for stakeholders in the maritime sector.

She noted that Apapa and Tin Can ports have not been upgraded in over 15 years, despite significant growth in Nigeria’s population and trade volumes.

“Look at what we have been missing because we have not upgraded our infrastructure,” Alabi said.

“Because we have not upgraded our infrastructure, our neighbours who have upgraded are enjoying the benefits.”

Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, had said the deals are consistent with Nigeria’s priority on infrastructure, energy, and industrial development.

Edun noted that the increasing emphasis on bilateral partnerships would help attract the scale of investment required to boost economic activity, create jobs, and reduce poverty, in line with the administration’s ‘renewed hope’ agenda.(TheCable)