Terminal operator seeks port modernisation, inclusive growth

APM Terminals Nigeria has underscored the importance of efficient ports, modern infrastructure and stronger public-private collaboration in enabling trade, improving productivity and supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.

According to a statement on Sunday, the call was made at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, held on 26 and 27 October in Abuja.

The summit themed ‘Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,’ brought together leaders from government, the private sector and other stakeholders to advance conversations around Nigeria’s economic development.

Delivering President Bola Tinubu’s address at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima underscored the need to boost productivity to ensure 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,” he said.

At the plenary session, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Koen De Backker, highlighted the importance of ports in promoting trade and generating economic value, saying, “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.”

De Backker highlighted capacity constraints within ports as a key challenge, explaining that containers remaining too long within terminals restrict the capacity required to keep cargo moving.

He stressed the need to diversify cargo evacuation beyond road transportation by expanding alternatives such as barging and rail.

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

He 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.

De Backker argued that private sector participation should be seen not merely as privatisation but as an opportunity to “professionalising the infrastructure, modernising, and getting experts in.”

He also identified effective collaboration among government agencies, Customs and clearing agents as crucial to delivering significant improvements.

Citing the deployment of cargo scanners, De Backker said collaboration with Customs had enabled containers to be scanned rather than relying solely on physical examinations, improving efficiency and security.

Earlier, the ESG Chairman, Olaniyi Yusuf, said the theme of NES #32, reflects the need for economic growth to create value, expand opportunities and improve living standards.

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

The discussions at NES #32 underscored a shared imperative: 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 fundamental to that journey, connecting businesses to markets, strengthening supply chains and helping unlock sustainable economic opportunities.