The Federal Government has awarded a contract for the renovation of Lagos’ two major ports—Tin Can and Apapa—to Chagoury Group, a multinational conglomerate led by Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, sources confirmed.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the contract in February 2025, following due process. Although an official announcement is yet to be made, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is expected to formally disclose the details soon.
In November 2023, the NPA unveiled plans to rehabilitate ports across the country, estimating the project cost at $1.1 billion. By April 2024, the agency had secured a $700 million facility agreement with Citi Bank Nigeria, backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), to fund the rehabilitation of Tin Can and Apapa ports.
Despite some initial discrepancies over the awarded firm’s identity, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, spokesperson for the NPA, later clarified that the project was officially awarded to Hitech Construction and ITB Nigeria, both subsidiaries of Chagoury Group.
Chagoury Group has been responsible for several high-profile infrastructure projects in Lagos State, including the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah Flyover, and the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
However, the conglomerate’s involvement in federal contracts has sparked political debates. In May 2024, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the government for awarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Hitech, alleging a conflict of interest due to President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, being a director in CDK Integrated Industries, another subsidiary of the group.
The presidency dismissed these claims, stating that Seyi Tinubu, like any Nigerian, is entitled to pursue business interests within legal bounds. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, also affirmed that President Tinubu had no direct influence in selecting companies for federal projects.
The upcoming rehabilitation of Tin Can and Apapa ports is expected to boost Nigeria’s trade capacity, ease congestion, and modernize infrastructure, reinforcing Lagos’ position as West Africa’s commercial hub.
