… Seal £746m deal to revamp Apapa, Tin Can Ports
By Dickson Pat
United Kingdom and Nigeria have signed three agreements covering migration, border security, and trade during the State Visit of President Bola Tinubu.
This was disclosed in an emailed statement sent to AljazirahNigeria by the UK High Commission on Friday.
The deals, comprising two Memoranda of Understanding and a Statement of Intent, aim to deepen cooperation between both countries while promoting safe migration and easing trade barriers.
The agreements were signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, marking a significant step in bilateral relations.
The agreements have been described by officials from both countries as a framework for strengthening migration systems, boosting trade, and enhancing border security cooperation. They also reflect a shared commitment to tackling fraud and improving administrative processes.
“Nigeria is a vital partner for the UK. These agreements reflect a shared commitment to managing migration fairly and firmly, while opening up trade and investment opportunities that will benefit both our economies”, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.
“Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws, or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed… Nigeria is a key partner in this work”, UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum , Alex Norris said.
“This partnership is a testament to our shared determination to build a migration system that is safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial”, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said.
“These agreements mark significant steps forward in the UK-Nigeria partnership”, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery added.
The officials noted that the agreements are expected to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors while reinforcing trust between both nations.
The UK and Nigeria have maintained longstanding bilateral relations, particularly in trade, migration, and security cooperation.
In recent years, both countries have intensified efforts to combat fraud and strengthen immigration systems, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on fraud prevention about a year ago. The latest agreements build on these existing frameworks while aligning with President Tinubu’s broader reform agenda focused on socio-economic development and attracting foreign investment.
The agreements introduce new mechanisms to improve migration processes, trade access, and joint security operations between the two countries.
A business visa Statement of Intent is expected to remove trade barriers and create pathways for businesses in both countries to access each other’s markets.
Nigeria will recognise UK Letters as valid identification for the first time, simplifying administrative processes.
Annual returns to Nigeria have nearly doubled to 1,150, reflecting stronger migration enforcement collaboration, the statement said in part.
A new fraud fusion cell will bring together law enforcement, financial institutions, and technology firms to tackle scams, including romance fraud and cryptocurrency schemes.
Existing joint operations between the UK’s National Crime Agency and the Nigerian Police have already resulted in over 400 arrests and £7.5 million seized, the statement said.
The Federal Government had unveiled a £746 million financing agreement with the United Kingdom to modernise Nigeria’s seaport infrastructure.
Also, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority ,NSIA, signed a deal with UK-based Asset Green Ltd to develop a $500 million large-scale dairy project in Nigeria.
The agreement was disclosed in a statement issued by NSIA following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ,MoU, in London.
Meanwhile, Nigeria and the United Kingdom have finalised a £746 million export finance agreement to rehabilitate and modernise two of Nigeria’s busiest seaports, the Apapa Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos.
The financing arrangement was disclosed on March 19, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s historic state visit to the UK, where he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London.
The deal is backed by UK Export Finance ,UKEF, and will support comprehensive upgrades to infrastructure that handles more than 70% of Nigeria’s import and export activities. 
Under the agreement, UK Export Finance will guarantee loans, while Citibank is coordinating the financing on behalf of the parties involved.
The project marks the most significant modernisation plan for the two port facilities in nearly five decades and is expected to boost efficiency, reduce cargo delays, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a key maritime hub for trade in West Africa.
The financing package also includes opportunities for British suppliers to participate in the port upgrades, with an estimated £236 million in supplier contracts expected to benefit UK companies, including a notable £70 million contract for British Steel.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola described the financing agreement as a transformative milestone for Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, emphasising that the modernisation project will unlock economic potential and enhance operational capacity at the country’s principal seaports.
The deal is part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, reflecting strengthened bilateral ties following Tinubu’s engagement with British leadership during the state visit.
The upgrades to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports come at a crucial time as Nigeria seeks to improve trade logistics, reduce congestion, and attract greater foreign investment through enhanced infrastructure and operational efficiency.
