FEC approves transport data bank, Onne, Apapa power projects

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given the green light to three significant Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, signaling a concerted effort to modernize Nigeria's infrastructure and enhance economic efficiency. Chaired by President Bola Tinubu, the FEC's approvals target critical areas of transport data management and electricity supply to key economic hubs, namely the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State and the Apapa Port Complex in Lagos.

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further reinforce the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fast-track infrastructure delivery through private sector participation, strengthen economic efficiency, and stimulate sustainable national development.

The approved projects include the development of a Smart National Transport Data Bank under the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology. This initiative is poised to address long-standing challenges in transport planning by creating a nationwide digital backbone that integrates real-time data across road, rail, air, and marine systems. The system will also employ technologies like vehicle tagging and automated number plate recognition to aid enforcement and traffic management, ultimately improving planning and investment decisions. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) highlighted that Nigeria's primary transport challenge is not just infrastructure, but the lack of reliable data, making this project a crucial step forward.

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Nigeria’s biggest transport challenge is not just infrastructure, it is the lack of reliable, usable data.

In parallel, the FEC approved two Independent Power Projects (IPPs) designed to tackle the persistent power shortages that hamper industrial operations at the nation's busiest ports. The Onne port will benefit from a 50MW power plant, ensuring stable electricity for the port and its associated Oil and Gas Free Zone, thereby reducing operational bottlenecks. Similarly, the Apapa port will receive approximately 36MW through a hybrid energy mix, aimed at improving reliability and cutting operating costs. These power projects are viewed not merely as utility upgrades but as critical "productivity enablers" that will directly impact trade efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business.

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the approved data bank “will serve as a nationwide digital backbone for transport intelligence, integrating real-time data across road, rail, air, and marine systems.”

The ICRC emphasized that these approvals underscore President Tinubu's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development through private sector involvement. The projects have undergone rigorous regulatory scrutiny, including Outline Business Case and Full Business Case certifications, before reaching the FEC for final approval. This strategic push for PPPs reflects a broader government agenda to leverage private sector expertise and capital to drive sustainable national development and strengthen economic competitiveness.

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At Onne, the development of a 50MW power plant will provide stable electricity to the port and the Oil and Gas Free Zone, significantly reducing operational bottlenecks.