Operator Cleans Up Lagos Port Corridor, Advances Sustainability Drive

Nigeria’s largest container terminal operator, APM Terminals Apapa, has intensified its environmental sustainability efforts with a large-scale clean-up of key corridors within the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, as part of activities marking its 2026 Go Green Week.

The exercise, held on Friday, saw employees of the terminal operator clean major access roads within the port, reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible port operations, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship.

The initiative forms part of APM Terminals’ annual global Go Green Week campaign, designed to accelerate the company’s ambition of achieving net-zero operations by 2040 through practical, community-focused environmental programmes.

This year’s theme, “Healthy Ecosystems… More Resilient and Sustainable Business,” underscores the link between a healthy environment and sustainable business growth. Across its global network, APM Terminals is encouraging employees to translate environmental commitments into action through clean-up campaigns, tree planting, recycling initiatives and habitat restoration projects.

At the Lagos Port Complex, the clean-up covered a wide stretch of the port corridor from the Finger Jetty through the common user road to Eko Support Services, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Roundabout, Adekunle Road and the main gate of APM Terminals Apapa.

Armed with cleaning tools and protective equipment, employees removed and properly disposed of large volumes of waste, including plastic materials, nylon packaging, wooden planks, bottles, stones and other debris that had accumulated along the port access roads.

The exercise also attracted the participation of officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), highlighting the importance of collaboration among port stakeholders in maintaining a cleaner and more sustainable operating environment.

Speaking during the exercise, Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Kamal Alhraishat, said Go Green Week provides an opportunity to strengthen environmental awareness while encouraging collective action within the port community.

“Go Green Week is an opportunity for us to reinforce the importance of operating responsibly and sustainably while reducing the environmental impact of our activities. Through initiatives such as tree planting, environmental awareness sessions and community clean-up exercises, we are translating our environmental commitments into meaningful action and encouraging everyone to play their part in protecting the environment,” he said.

Alhraishat noted that the company’s sustainability programme extends beyond the clean-up exercise. Earlier in the week, employees planted more than 25 bags of frangipani plants and Pride of Barbados seeds to enhance biodiversity and expand green spaces within the terminal.

He added that the company would also organise an environmental town hall session for employees, facilitated by sustainability partners, to provide practical guidance on responsible waste management and environmentally friendly practices both at work and at home.

Also speaking, the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Felix Ugwuagbo, said sustainability remains central to the company’s operations and decision-making.

“At APM Terminals, sustainability is a fundamental part of how we operate our business every day. Go Green Week gives us an opportunity to step beyond our terminal gates and work collectively to improve the environment we share with other port users. A clean port is a safer, healthier and more efficient port, and that directly supports trade, protects the well-being of workers and strengthens the resilience of Nigeria’s supply chain,” he said.

Ugwuagbo stressed that environmental responsibility must become part of everyday operations and be embraced by all port users to achieve lasting results.

The Assistant Manager, Environment, Lagos Port Complex, Nigerian Ports Authority, Umar Ibrahim, commended the initiative, describing effective waste management as essential for safe and efficient port operations.

According to him, a clean port environment protects public health, preserves the ecosystem and facilitates the smooth movement of cargo and people within the port.

He added that prompt waste disposal reduces environmental hazards, improves air quality and enhances operational efficiency for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The clean-up exercise reflects APM Terminals Apapa’s broader sustainability agenda and its continued commitment to fostering a culture of shared environmental responsibility within Nigeria’s port community.