An economist, Akpan Ekpo, says the Nigeria-United Kingdom port rehabilitation deal will not benefit Nigeria and could increase the country’s debt burden.
Ekpo made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television, reacting to recently signed memoranda of understanding between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
He said the agreement to rehabilitate Apapa and Tin Can ports would largely benefit the British economy, including its steel industry and financial institutions, while offering limited gains for Nigeria.
“The British government is very clever. They’ve turned economic diplomacy upside down and reinforced our neo-colonial status,” Ekpo said. He added that most equipment and inputs for the projects would come from the U.K., limiting local benefits and job creation.
Ekpo warned that the deal could leave Nigeria with additional debt, with projected employment opportunities favoring British workers over Nigerians.
However, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Jimoh Ibrahim, praised President Bola Tinubu for his recent diplomatic engagement in the U.K., describing it as a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s global relevance.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Ibrahim said the outreach came at a critical time in global affairs marked by shifting alliances and emerging geopolitical divisions. He said the engagement reflects Nigeria’s readiness to navigate the evolving global order while maintaining its commitment to multilateral cooperation.
He also highlighted the significance of Tinubu’s interaction with Charles III, saying it reinforces longstanding ties between Nigeria and the U.K.
During the visit, both countries signed agreements covering migration, cooperation on organized immigration crime and border security, and plans to expand business visas for U.K. companies operating in Nigeria.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticized the agreements, particularly the migration partnership, warning they could undermine due process and constitutional safeguards.
Falana said the use of so-called “UK letters” to facilitate the return of Nigerians without proper travel documents risks violating international human rights standards. He warned the arrangement could lower the threshold for deportation and lead to wrongful or arbitrary removals.
He added that the agreement lacks fair trial guarantees and may conflict with provisions of Nigeria’s constitution, including the right to a fair hearing, by allowing deportations without adequate opportunity for affected individuals to challenge their cases.
