The Lekki Deep Sea Port located at Itoke village, Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State, Nigeria is an investment in excess of $1.5 billion. It is a joint venture between the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos State Government, Tolarams Group, and China Harbour Engineering Company.
It is a state-of-the-art facility that is the largest seaport and one of the biggest in West Africa that would revolutionize the way goods are transported and traded in Nigeria. In line with improving efficiency and connectivity, it would also serve as a major driver for economic growth in the region.
The Port has three terminals; the container terminal, the liquid terminal, and the dry bulk terminal. The container terminal has an initial draft of 14 meters, with the potential for further dredging to 16.5 meters. The terminal is able to handle 2.5 million twenty-foot standard containers per year.
On the 23rd of January, President Mohammadu Buhari performed the historic inauguration of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and observed the first loading from CMA CGM Mozart at the quay.
At the ceremony, Buhari led Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo; Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ciu Jianchun; top government officials, and traditional rulers to witness the offloading from the container ship, sailing under the flag of Malta.
Speaking at the occasion, Sanwo-Olu said “Mr. President, we are happy this is happening in your time. It all started in your time and it has been completed in your time. We are excited that the size of the vessels that will berth at the Port would be four times the size of vessels that currently berth at Apapa and Tin Can Island Port.