Economy
NPA Meets Stakeholders Over Port Congestion: APMT
NPA Meets Stakeholders Over Port Congestion: APMT
NPA meets stakeholders over port congestion: APMT. They attributed the recent congestion to simultaneous gate closures by APMT, which disrupted container evacuation and compounded yard congestion.
Following public outcry over delayed evacuation of empty containers causing yard congestion at APM Terminals, Apapa, the Nigerian Ports Authority convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting.
NPA spokesman Ikechukwu Onyemekara disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said NPA managing director Abubakar Dantsoho called the meeting to address operational challenges and ensure efficient port activities at APM Terminals, Apapa.
The meeting included major shipping lines and APM Terminals to discuss the issues and develop effective solutions to enhance container handling operations.
Mr Onyemekara noted that the shipping lines present affirmed they have holding bays, a requirement for NPA licence renewal, which are routinely inspected by NPA teams.
He stated that the NPA requested a detailed list from all shipping lines indicating their holding bay locations and storage capacities.
The port management also stressed the importance of participating in holding bay inspections to anticipate operational challenges and improve oversight.
Regarding APM Terminals’ capacity, shipping lines said APMT normally shared information on available free pools to guide container movement decisions.
They attributed the recent congestion to simultaneous gate closures by APMT, which disrupted container evacuation and compounded yard congestion.
However, APMT argued that the congestion resulted from a surge in import and export volumes, alongside shipping lines’ delayed container evacuation.
On resolutions reached, Mr Onyemekara said APMT must now regularly share yard stock updates with shipping lines to improve planning and coordination.
“Additionally, it was agreed that gate closure notices must now follow this schedule: five days initial notice, three days reminder, and one day final notice. The meeting also resolved that APMT should move import containers to off-dock terminals to ease pressure within the main terminal yard.
“NPA will actively inspect holding bays to better understand operational capacities and support efficient container management. All parties agreed that improved communication, timely notices, and better use of holding bays and bonded terminals are key to reducing terminal congestion,” Mr Onyemekara said.
Port manager at the Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, highlighted the urgent need for better coordination among port stakeholders to address the rising congestion challenge.
APMT clarified that shipping lines are responsible for managing empty container evacuation and vessel loading, not the terminal.
APM Terminals Apapa manager, Steen Knudsen, said rising import volumes had forced shipping lines to prioritise discharging imports over evacuating empties.

NPA Meets Stakeholders Over Port Congestion: APMT
Mr Knudsen stated this operational shift led to a build-up of empty containers, severely reducing available yard space.
“As a result, APM Terminals Apapa has temporarily restricted the reception of new empty containers until current stock is cleared,” Mr Knudsen said.
Mr Onyemekara confirmed the meeting, convened by the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, included major lines such as Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO, and APMT.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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