The construction on the Lekki deep sea port has been completed and has been handed over to Tolaram – the promoters of the port on Monday, 31st of October, 2022. The port, regarded as Nigeria’s deepest sea port, has been under construction since 2018 by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

 

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was present at the handover ceremony of the Lekki deep sea port on Monday, 31st of October, 2022.

 

The Lekki deep seaport project, one of the largest developments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, is billed to be one of the most modern ports in West Africa. Conceived during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, the project underwent two phases of development to complete its container terminal, liquid cargo terminal, and dry bulk terminal and will be operated by the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL).

 

On the 15th of September, the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, had commented on the progress of the port, stating that it was practically ready to begin operations. A statement which was recently confirmed by Abiodun Dabiri, the Chairman of the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) on Thursday, 28th of September at a breakfast held for the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce.

 

Mohammed Bello-Koko confirmed that the port was ready and had acquired all necessary equipment to start operation. He gave an update on the deep sea port saying “This is the first time in a long time that a new port will be set up in Nigeria. Lekki Port has IT deployment that is currently not in Nigeria because no port in Nigeria has Ship-to-Shore Crane. The IT system in Lekki Port will minimize human interaction by ensuring cargo owners do clearance processes online.”