United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the £746 million ports development agreement between the UK and Nigeria will strengthen Britain’s economy by supporting thousands of skilled jobs and increasing investment.
The deal, which covers the supply of steel and financing for the rehabilitation of major port infrastructure in Lagos, was sealed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s high-level engagement with the UK government.
Starmer described the agreement as a significant milestone, noting that it aligns with efforts to revitalise the UK’s industrial base, particularly the steel sector.
“This is a historic partnership that will not only support jobs at home but also reinforce our economic ties with Nigeria,” he said.
The financing arrangement involves Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance, led by Wale Edun, alongside global financial partners, and will fund the upgrade of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa) and Tin Can Island Port.
The modernisation project is expected to enhance cargo handling capacity, reduce congestion at the ports, and improve overall efficiency in Nigeria’s maritime sector, which serves as a critical gateway for trade.
Officials say the agreement underscores a broader push by both countries to expand cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, defence and cultural exchange.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu on Friday morning arrived in Abuja after wrapping up a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, widely described as a landmark diplomatic engagement.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, landed at about 1:15 a.m. and was received by top government officials, including Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The visit - the first formal state invitation extended to a Nigerian leader by the UK in nearly four decades - yielded several agreements aimed at boosting infrastructure development and economic growth in Nigeria.
A key highlight was the ports upgrade deal backed by UK Export Finance, expected to significantly improve maritime logistics and ease longstanding bottlenecks at Nigeria’s busiest seaports.
Later on Friday, Tinubu is scheduled to join Muslim faithful in Lagos for Eid-el-Fitr prayers at Dodan Barracks, where he is expected to emphasise unity, compassion and national cohesion in line with the values of Ramadan.
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