\n\nPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, where both leaders witnessed the signing of a landmark £746 million (about $990 million) financing agreement aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s key maritime infrastructure. The deal, finalised during Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, underscores growing economic ties between the two countries and signals renewed efforts to boost Nigeria’s trade capacity. 
The agreement, backed by UK Export Finance and coordinated by financial institutions including Citibank, will fund the comprehensive redevelopment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex—Nigeria’s busiest seaports. These facilities currently handle more than 70 percent of the nation’s imports and exports, making them critical to the country’s economy and regional trade dominance. 
Officials say the modernisation will introduce advanced cargo-handling equipment, expand port capacity, and deploy digital systems to reduce congestion and improve efficiency. For decades, both ports have struggled with ageing infrastructure, delays, and high logistics costs. The project is expected to significantly cut cargo clearance times, enhance transparency, and position Nigeria as a more competitive maritime hub in West and Central Africa. 
The deal also carries economic benefits beyond Nigeria, with projections indicating it will generate substantial contracts for British companies, including the supply of materials and engineering services. Analysts view the agreement as part of a broader strategy by both nations to deepen trade, attract investment, and strengthen bilateral cooperation across sectors such as infrastructure, finance, and technology. 
Tinubu’s visit—the first by a Nigerian leader to the UK in nearly four decades—has been marked by high-level engagements, including meetings with government officials and business leaders. Observers say the port deal represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s infrastructure agenda and could play a key role in unlocking the country’s blue economy potential while improving its global trade competitiveness.
