Port Operator Awards Scholarships To 50 Apapa Undergraduates

APM Terminals Apapa has awarded scholarships to 50 undergraduate students from its host community in Apapa, Lagos, bringing the number of beneficiaries under its scholarship programme to 151.

The latest beneficiaries, drawn from students studying in public universities and other accredited higher institutions across Nigeria, received the scholarships at the third edition of the programme held in Apapa on Friday.

The initiative is part of APM Terminals’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at expanding access to higher education, empowering young people and supporting sustainable development within its host community.

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Speaking at the ceremony, the chief executive officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Koen De Backker, said the company’s investment in education was driven by the need to develop young Nigerians who would contribute to the country’s future.

He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by remaining focused on their studies, embracing continuous learning and developing themselves for future leadership roles.

“Today’s scholars are tomorrow’s leaders. While equipment and infrastructure can be acquired, building people requires deliberate investment, commitment, and time. At APM Terminals, we choose to invest in young people because you represent the future. The success of our business is not measured only by operational performance, but also by the positive impact we create in the communities where we operate,” he said.

The Terminal Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Kamal Alhraishat, said the scholarship programme reflected the company’s belief that sustainable community development begins with investment in people.

Alhraishat said the company’s CSR strategy was built around three major pillars, education, healthcare and environmental sustainability  noting that the scholarship scheme was designed to give young Nigerians greater opportunities to achieve their potential.

“Be proud of what you have accomplished. You earned your place at your university through hard work and determination. Believe in yourself, aim higher, and continue striving for excellence. The future belongs to those who are willing to work for it,” he told the beneficiaries.

The Head of People Function at APM Terminals Nigeria, Uzoma Ben-Ude, said the programme was not limited to providing financial assistance, as beneficiaries remain on the scholarship until graduation, subject to meeting the required academic standards.

According to her, the arrangement was designed to provide sustained support and reduce the financial pressure on students and their families.

“Our objective is to reduce the financial burden on students and their families so they can focus on their studies and personal development. We want these young people to succeed and become positive contributors to society,” she said.

Ben-Ude also disclosed that scholarship beneficiaries have access to internship opportunities within APM Terminals, adding that some students had already gained practical workplace experience through the company’s internship programme.

The Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Jimoh Olawale, commended APM Terminals for sustaining its investment in the development of the host community.

Olawale recalled the company’s partnership with the local council in the renovation of a health centre, which was reopened in February 2026, describing the scholarship programme as another important intervention for young people in the community.

Representatives of Apapa Local Government, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) and Nigeria Customs Service also commended APM Terminals for sustaining the scholarship scheme.

They urged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined and focused on their academic pursuits while becoming worthy ambassadors of their families, community and country.

For the beneficiaries, the intervention has provided both financial relief and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Oseni Omolara, a 400-level student and beneficiary of the 2025 scholarship cohort, said the programme had reduced the financial burden on her parents and encouraged her to pursue academic excellence.

She also said her internship experience at APM Terminals exposed her to the operations of a global business and gave her practical workplace experience.

Similarly, a medical student, Olakunle Oluwafemi, described the scholarship as an investment in his future, rather than merely financial assistance.

He said the internship opportunity had complemented his academic training by providing practical exposure and strengthening his career prospects.

The latest beneficiaries and their parents expressed appreciation to APM Terminals for the scholarship, while the company reaffirmed its commitment to education, youth empowerment and the long-term development of its host community.