A delegation from California has visited Nigeria as part of a 10-day trade mission across West and East Africa, aiming to strengthen collaboration in areas including climate, infrastructure, trade, and technology.
During the visit, the team toured APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos, to observe operations and talent development initiatives.
California’s Secretary of Transportation, Toks Omishakin, commended the terminal’s high operational standards and skilled workforce, noting that “from a staffing standpoint, they are very high-calibre people capable of working effectively with our counterparts back in California.”
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He highlighted the importance of port efficiency in global trade and emphasized that Nigerian ports possess capabilities comparable to major U.S. ports.
Omishakin as cited by BusinessDay also underscored California’s interest in environmentally sustainable partnerships, citing technologies such as shore power systems that reduce emissions while ships are docked.
The CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, described the visit as an opportunity to reinforce the company’s global stakeholder engagement approach, while Terminal Manager Steen Knudsen noted that continuous innovation and compliance with international standards position the facility to attract future international collaborations.
Alex Ford, Vice President of Global Programmes at the Bay Area Council, added that the Apapa terminal aligns with global standards set by APM Terminals and Maersk, highlighting its potential to train talent for the wider global logistics ecosystem.
With California hosting the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach—together handling over 20 million TEUs annually—the delegation sees significant opportunities for trade, technological exchange, and climate-conscious innovation through closer ties with Nigeria.
Image Credit: BusinessDay
