BUA Group has unveiled an $85 million expansion of its BUA Ports and Terminals facility in Port Harcourt, a move aimed at supporting the import of more than two million tonnes of raw materials annually as the company’s food business undergoes a major capacity expansion.
Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
Rabiu said the visit was to appreciate the NPA for its continued support and brief the management on the progress of the terminal expansion, which he described as critical to BUA Foods’ long-term growth strategy.
“We’re here to thank the MD and his team for the support we’re getting, and also to brief the management on the progress we’re making with the expansion of our BUA Ports and Terminals in Port Harcourt,” he said.
According to him, the project has advanced considerably and would provide the logistics infrastructure required to support BUA Foods‘ expanding operations.
He explained that upon completion of the food processing expansion next year, the company would import more than two million tonnes of raw materials annually through Port Harcourt.
“By the time we are done with the expansion, Insha Allah, next year, we’ll be importing over two million tonnes of raw materials through Port Harcourt, and for that we need a terminal and a modern facility,” Rabiu said.
He put the cost of the terminal expansion at about $85 million, noting that the project would deliver approximately 600 metres of quay frontage, significantly increasing the company’s cargo-handling capacity.
Rabiu said the investment would strengthen BUA’s logistics network across its food, cement, mining, infrastructure and other industrial businesses.
He also stressed the need for improved port infrastructure to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential, observing that despite being Africa’s largest economy, the country still faces major infrastructure gaps in the maritime sector.
The BUA chairman commended the leadership of the NPA for its professionalism and support, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing the current management of the Authority.
Rabiu recalled that the Port Harcourt terminal had previously faced the threat of losing its acquisition rights but said the support of the present NPA management had enabled the project to progress successfully.
“I remember that at one point the terminal acquisition was revoked, but today we’re here receiving all the support we need from the management,” he said.
Responding, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the investment as a significant boost to trade, cargo movement and the development of Nigeria’s eastern ports.
He said the Authority expects the expansion to drive double-digit growth in cargo throughput and revenue while strengthening the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
According to him, the NPA remains committed to deepening collaboration with private investors to improve port efficiency and create greater economic value.
“He is a major stakeholder, and what he is doing is exactly the kind of partnership we encourage. We must continue to collaborate with both major and smaller stakeholders, especially in expanding activities in the eastern ports,” Dantsoho said.
He noted that BUA’s continued investments in both Lagos and Port Harcourt would help decentralise cargo traffic, boost import and export activities, and generate higher revenues for the country.
“So our cargo volumes will increase. Whether it is imports or exports, we will handle more cargo, create more value and generate more revenue in both naira and foreign exchange. That is what government expects from us,” he added.
Dantsoho also acknowledged President Tinubu’s support for stronger collaboration between the NPA and private sector investors, describing the partnership as essential to positioning Nigerian ports as leading maritime hubs in West Africa.
On projected performance, he said the Authority expects cargo traffic to rise by between 13 and 14 per cent as a result of the investment.
“In the global port industry, about 16 per cent growth is considered very good. With this development, if we achieve between 13 and 14 per cent, that will be a fantastic outcome,” he said.
The NPA boss also highlighted recent international recognition for Nigerian ports, noting that Apapa and Tin Can ports were recently ranked among the world’s 20 most improved ports.
He attributed the achievement to stronger collaboration between the Authority and private sector operators, adding that the BUA investment represents the type of partnership needed to sustain growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The expansion is expected to significantly increase cargo-handling capacity at BUA’s Port Harcourt terminal, positioning the company to support rising import volumes while contributing to improved trade, port efficiency and broader industrial development.
