Amaechi Accuses Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu of Taking Credit for Lekki Port
Amaechi Accuses Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu of Taking Credit for Lekki Port
Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has accused President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of taking credit for the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, claiming that he supervised the project from inception to completion.
Amaechi made the allegation on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during an African Democratic Congress (ADC) stakeholders’ meeting in Edo State, while responding to a question about developing the proposed Gelegele Seaport.
“I built Lekki Deep Sea Port from scratch to finish. I finished it completely, but I had resigned to contest for the office of the president, that’s why Sanwo-Olu got Buhari to come and commission it,” Amaechi said, according to Vanguard.
He further alleged that Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu and other political figures claimed credit for the project despite not visiting the construction site during its development.
Amaechi acknowledged that the idea for the port predated the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, tracing its origins to the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He maintained, however, that the Buhari administration approved the construction and that he oversaw the project as transportation minister.
Official records show a longer history. According to the Nigerian Ports Authority, the port concept received presidential endorsement in February 2002, while the Federal Executive Council approved the project in May 2014. A 45-year concession agreement was subsequently executed in December 2018, with construction works commencing before the port was inaugurated in January 2023.
The project was developed under a public-private partnership involving the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Lagos State Government and private investors, including Tolaram and China Harbour Engineering Company.
At the project’s flag-off ceremony in March 2018, then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo specifically commended Amaechi for his role in driving the project, while also acknowledging the contributions of the private-sector promoters and government partners.
