APM Terminals Nigeria Calls for Port Modernisation, Stronger Public-Private Collaboration

APM Terminals Nigeria has called for efficient ports, modern infrastructure and stronger public-private collaboration to boost trade, improve productivity and support Nigeria’s economic growth.

The call was made at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, held on October 26 and 27 in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Sunday. The summit, themed “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,” brought together government leaders, private sector executives and other stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s economic development.

In President Bola Tinubu’s address, delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the government stressed the need to raise productivity so that ongoing reforms translate into economic prosperity.

“Our pursuit of prosperity demands greater productivity from every worker, enterprise and investment. The government would continue efforts to ease regulatory burdens, strengthen transparency and policy predictability, and expand access to finance,” Shettima said.

Speaking at a plenary session, APM Terminals Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Koen De Backker highlighted the role of ports in promoting trade and creating economic value.

“Our job is to facilitate trade, to be an enabler for cargo to move in and out of the port, and to create wealth and prosperity for the population of Nigeria,” he said.

De Backker identified capacity constraints within ports as a major challenge, explaining that containers staying too long in terminals limit the capacity needed to keep cargo moving. He stressed the need to diversify cargo evacuation beyond road transport by expanding alternatives such as barging and rail.

He cited APM Terminals’ logistics centre in Ibadan, where export goods are consolidated, loaded into containers and moved by rail to the terminal, as an example of how alternative transport systems can facilitate cargo movement.

De Backker also emphasised the need to modernise Nigeria’s ageing port infrastructure, noting that technology, specialised expertise and investment are essential to increasing capacity and efficiency.

He argued that private sector participation should not be seen merely as privatisation but as an opportunity to professionalise infrastructure, modernise operations and bring in experts.

He further identified effective collaboration among government agencies, Customs and clearing agents as critical to delivering meaningful improvements. Citing the deployment of cargo scanners, he said collaboration with Customs had enabled containers to be scanned rather than relying solely on physical examinations, improving efficiency and security.

Earlier, Nigerian Economic Summit Group Chairman Olaniyi Yusuf said the summit theme reflected the need for economic growth to create value, expand opportunities and improve living standards.

“The next phase of our reforms must prioritise lower production costs, reliable infrastructure, productive investment and more effective public expenditure,” Yusuf said.

The summit concluded that Nigeria’s growth ambitions will require stronger partnerships, productive investment and infrastructure that enables businesses and communities to prosper. For APM Terminals Nigeria, efficient ports remain central to that goal by connecting businesses to markets, strengthening supply chains and helping unlock sustainable economic opportunities.