Former Education Minister and public accountability advocate Oby Ezekwesili has demanded the immediate termination of Nigeria’s £746 million ports financing agreement with the United Kingdom, describing the deal as “dodgy” and lacking transparency.
The agreement, signed earlier this year, involves financing for the redevelopment of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos. The UK government pledged £746 million in support, with Nigerian authorities touting the project as a major step toward modernizing port infrastructure and boosting trade.
However, Ezekwesili raised concerns about the opaque nature of the contract, questioning whether due process was followed and whether the terms serve Nigeria’s long‑term interests. “This deal reeks of secrecy and potential exploitation. Nigerians deserve clarity on how such massive commitments are negotiated,” she said.
Civic technology group Budgit echoed Ezekwesili’s concerns, calling for a full review of the agreement. The group argued that the financing terms could saddle Nigeria with unsustainable debt and undermine sovereignty over critical infrastructure.
Budgit’s statement emphasized the need for transparency in public contracts, urging the government to publish the full details of the deal for public scrutiny.
Officials from the Ministry of Transportation defended the agreement, insisting that it was negotiated in line with international best practices and would deliver long‑term benefits.
They argued that modernizing Nigeria’s ports is essential to reducing congestion, improving efficiency, and attracting foreign investment.
Nigeria’s ports are critical gateways for trade, handling over 70% of the country’s imports and exports. Chronic congestion, outdated facilities, and inefficiencies have long plagued the sector, costing billions in lost revenue annually.
Analysts agree that modernization is urgently needed but warn that financing arrangements must be carefully structured to avoid debt traps. “Infrastructure upgrades are vital, but transparency is non‑negotiable.
Nigerians must know the cost and conditions attached to this deal,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, an economist at the University of Lagos.
Ezekwesili’s intervention has reignited debates about Nigeria’s approach to foreign financing. Opposition politicians seized on the controversy to criticize the Tinubu administration’s handling of public contracts, accusing it of prioritizing short‑term gains over accountability.
Supporters of the government countered that the ports deal represents a bold step toward addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, arguing that critics are politicizing a necessary investment.
The controversy is expected to dominate discussions in the coming weeks, with civil society groups planning to petition the National Assembly for a formal investigation. Whether the government will heed calls for termination or renegotiation remains uncertain.
For Nigerians, the issue underscores broader concerns about governance, transparency, and the management of public resources. As Ezekwesili put it: “We cannot afford to mortgage our future through shady deals. Accountability must be the cornerstone of development.”
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