News
UK, Nigeria Collaborate on Major £746m Port Modernisation
Nigeria UK port redevelopment deal worth £746m signed to revamp Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, boosting trade and infrastructure investment
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed a £746 million export finance deal to support the redevelopment of two major Lagos ports, Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port.
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The agreement was finalised during a meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Bola Tinubu at Downing Street on Thursday.
Under the deal, UK Export Finance will guarantee loans to fund the refurbishment of the port complexes, with Citibank coordinating the financing arrangement.
As part of the agreement, British Steel will supply 120,000 tonnes of steel for the projects under a £70 million contract.
The deal is projected to generate £236 million in supplier contracts for British companies, with at least 20 percent of project components sourced from the UK.
The UK government noted that this steel contract represents the largest export backed by UK Export Finance for British Steel to date.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Nigeria by Wale Edun, and on behalf of the UK by Blair McDougall MP. Wale Edun stated that the deal aligns with Nigeria’s priority on infrastructure, energy, and industrial development and underscores growing confidence and mutual trust between both nations.
Adegboyega Oyetola added that the redevelopment of the ports would strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa, enhancing regional trade.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the agreement as historic, marking the first deal signed by a West African leader in 37 years.
Bola Tinubu, on the first Nigerian state visit to the UK in nearly four decades, called the visit “thrilling and significant” in deepening bilateral relations, noting discussions on trade, the economy, climate change, and global security challenges.
The visit also includes a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Asset Green Limited to develop an integrated dairy production platform in Nigeria, further strengthening trade and investment ties.
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The port redevelopment initiative is expected to boost infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance economic activity, forming a key component of Nigeria’s ‘renewed hope’ agenda for national development.
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Dauda Lawal swears in five permanent secretaries in Zamfara, urging them to follow public service rules, financial regulations and relevant laws
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sworn in five new permanent secretaries, urging them to comply with Public Service Rules, financial regulations and other relevant laws in the discharge of their duties.
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The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Ahmad S. Zamfara, Nasiru Halilu Anka, Mu’azu Jibril Guraguri, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma and Sani Muhammad Shinkafi.
The Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, administered the oath of office to the appointees, who pledged allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal congratulated the new permanent secretaries, describing their appointments as recognition of their experience, abilities and readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
He said their roles extended beyond personal career advancement, noting that their decisions and conduct would influence government performance and the welfare of residents.
“The Permanent Secretary is central to Government, providing administrative leadership, institutional continuity, and policy advice while implementing approved programs,” the governor said.
He added that permanent secretaries were responsible for maintaining discipline, coordinating their establishments and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
Lawal said his administration remained committed to strengthening government institutions and improving public administration to support Zamfara’s development priorities.
He noted that the civil service played a critical role in translating government decisions into practical results, particularly in the delivery of essential services.
The governor urged the new appointees to align their work with his administration’s priorities through proper planning, realistic implementation strategies, effective supervision and continuous assessment of results.
He also called on them to maintain constructive and professional relationships with commissioners and other political officeholders.
According to Lawal, political leaders are responsible for setting policy, while career civil servants provide the institutional knowledge, technical advice and administrative capacity needed to implement it.
He stressed that mutual respect and cooperation between political officeholders and career civil servants were essential to effective governance.
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The governor urged the permanent secretaries to uphold discipline and professionalism while ensuring that their departments supported the administration’s development agenda and served the needs of the people of Zamfara.
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