APM Terminals’ $100m investment shows Oyetola’s reforms are working – Akutah

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, has described the planned $100 million investment by APM Terminals as compelling evidence that the ongoing reforms spearheaded by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, are restoring investor confidence and repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for sustainable growth.

Akutah made the assertion while receiving members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOMÉ), who paid him a courtesy visit at the Council’s headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

According to him, the Federal Government’s reform agenda in the marine and blue economy is already yielding measurable results, with leading global investors responding positively to policies aimed at improving port efficiency, strengthening the regulatory environment and enhancing the ease of doing business.

Highlighting the significance of APM Terminals’ investment commitment, the NSC boss said the development reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector and validates the reforms being implemented under the leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

“We can see what APM Terminals is doing in terms of the investment profile they are bringing. The Managing Director has already announced a $100 million investment portfolio coming into the country. These are clear indicators that the reforms are working, alongside several other ongoing port reform initiatives,” Akutah said.

He noted that attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains a central pillar of the Minister’s strategy to transform Nigeria into a competitive maritime hub capable of supporting the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda.

Akutah explained that investments of such magnitude would not only modernise port infrastructure but also improve cargo handling capacity, reduce operational bottlenecks, enhance trade facilitation and generate employment across the maritime value chain.

He added that the reforms are designed to create a transparent, efficient and investor-friendly operating environment that encourages both local and international investors to commit long-term capital to Nigeria’s ports and logistics industry.

The NSC chief reiterated the Council’s commitment, as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, to supporting policies that improve competitiveness, protect port users and foster sustainable growth within the marine and blue economy.

He also stressed that collaboration with stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, remains essential to sustaining the momentum of the reforms and projecting Nigeria’s investment opportunities to the international community.

“We value the media because it provides the platform for Nigerians and the global community to understand what we are doing. We cannot achieve that alone. Our doors will remain open as we continue to build a stronger partnership with the media,” he said.

Akutah commended the League of Maritime Editors for its professionalism and consistent support for the development of the maritime industry, assuring members of the Council’s continued cooperation in advancing reforms and promoting informed public discourse on the sector.

Earlier, President of the League of Maritime Editors, Mrs. Remi Itie, said the delegation visited the Council to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the association and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, while also inviting the Executive Secretary to the League’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

She reaffirmed the League’s commitment to objective, balanced and development-focused journalism, pledging continued support for initiatives that promote investment, efficiency and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s maritime industry.