The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) has held a strategic engagement with the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, as part of its continued efforts to promote economic development, investment and sustainable growth in Badagry.
The meeting was convened to formally brief the Chairman on BACCIMA’s “Invest Badagry” proposal, which had earlier been submitted to the Local Government, and to discuss the initiative’s objectives, investment opportunities, expected economic benefits and the role of the Local Government in ensuring its success.
BACCIMA Presents the ‘Invest Badagry’ Vision
The President of BACCIMA, Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, led the presentation and explained that Invest Badagry is conceived as a strategic investment platform designed to position Badagry as the Western Gateway to Nigeria and West Africa.
He explained that the initiative represents the next phase of the existing relationship between BACCIMA and Badagry Local Government, which has focused on transforming Badagry into a major commercial hub, creating sustainable employment opportunities and empowering women and young people.
According to him, the proposed initiative is modelled on the successful “Invest Lagos” approach of the Lagos State Government, but is specifically designed to move Badagry beyond simply being promoted as a commercial hub to becoming a destination where actual investments are attracted into viable and bankable projects.
The proposed summit would bring together government agencies, investors, businesses and other stakeholders through structured engagements, including investment showcases, sector-focused discussions, investor deal rooms, Business-to-Government (B2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings, project exhibitions, guided site visits and a public deal-signing ceremony.
Badagry’s Strategic Investment Potential
During the engagement, Alhaji Yahaya described Badagry as a “super highway to Europe”, highlighting its strategic location along the border with the Republic of Benin and its position on the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor.
He noted that the location presents significant opportunities for cross-border trade, logistics and the implementation of regional trade frameworks, including ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The discussion also highlighted Badagry’s waterways and marine resources as significant assets for the emerging blue economy. These include opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, mariculture, marine logistics and other water-based economic activities.
BACCIMA further identified Badagry’s coastline and waterways as important areas for investment within the blue economy, while its rich cultural and historical heritage was presented as a major opportunity for tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the creative economy.
The availability of land and the Badagry Division corridor were equally identified as opportunities for industrial development, agro-processing, real estate and infrastructure investment.
The BACCIMA President stressed that with the right partnerships, planning and investment facilitation, Badagry could emerge as a major investment destination and an economic centre of commerce within Lagos State and the wider West African region.
Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Investment
Alhaji Yahaya also referenced previous stakeholder engagements on the infrastructure requirements necessary to unlock Badagry’s economic potential.
He particularly stressed the urgent need for an electricity sub-station in Badagry, noting that reliable power supply would be critical to supporting the industrial, commercial and residential developments expected to accompany increased investment.
He also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to expedite the dredging of the lagoon from CMS/Apapa to Badagry. According to him, this would enable Badagry to benefit from an effective intermodal transportation system, particularly with the completion of the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway.
The President further emphasised the importance of proper land administration, documentation and collaboration among relevant stakeholders to ensure that investors can confidently acquire and develop land for legitimate economic purposes.
He expressed the belief that effective collaboration among the Local Government, BACCIMA, investors, developers and other responsible organisations could transform Badagry into a leading investment destination and a major driver of economic development in Lagos State.
Local Government’s Role in Driving Investment
A central point of the engagement was the need for Badagry Local Government to play an active role in driving the investment agenda.
Alhaji Yahaya emphasised that the Local Government should not merely wait for investment opportunities to come to Badagry but should actively position itself as a vehicle for attracting, facilitating and supporting responsible investment.
The Invest Badagry proposal therefore seeks the formal involvement of Badagry Local Government through endorsement of the initiative, co-hosting of the proposed summit and the establishment of a partnership framework between the Local Government and BACCIMA.
Chairman Commends BACCIMA’s Initiative
Responding to the presentation, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, expressed his appreciation for the initiative and commended BACCIMA for its vision and commitment to the development of Badagry.
He specifically expressed gratitude to the BACCIMA President, Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, for his dedication to the community and willingness to commit personal resources towards promoting Badagry nationally and internationally.
The Chairman described the continuous efforts of the BACCIMA leadership as impressive and acknowledged the team’s commitment to bringing meaningful development initiatives to the area.
Highlighting Badagry’s rich cultural heritage and economic potential, Hon. Hunpe expressed confidence that Badagry remains one of Nigeria’s premier tourism destinations. He stressed that harnessing its tourism potential would be critical to achieving sustainable long-term growth and increasing the visibility of the area.
On economic development, the Chairman emphasised the critical role of reliable power infrastructure and the responsibility of government to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment.
He expressed strong support for the establishment of an electricity sub-station in Badagry, noting that strategic initiatives such as Invest Badagry could help make the long-awaited project a reality.
Partnership Key to Badagry Deep Seaport
Hon. Hunpe also stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between government and the private sector in advancing major development initiatives, particularly the Badagry Deep Seaport project.
Drawing from his experience in public service, the Chairman provided context on some of the historical challenges and uncertainties surrounding large-scale development projects such as the seaport.
He noted that delays in such projects are not always attributable to government processes, but can also be influenced by the commitment, stability and actions of investors.
The Chairman, however, expressed renewed optimism about the project, noting that encouraging developments indicate that the original investors and promoters have returned to the deep seaport project. He described this as a promising development for Badagry’s economic future.
Stakeholders in Attendance
The meeting was attended by members of the Badagry Local Government administration, including the Secretary, Council Manager, Mrs. Avoseh Akwe; Council Treasurer, Mr. Gbenga; Special Adviser on Agriculture; representatives of Community Development; and the Protocol Officer to the Chairman, Mr. Hunga.
The BACCIMA delegation accompanying the President included Mrs. Adenike Alade, Director of Information; Mrs. Laguda Grace, Director of Benchmarking; Mr. Eugene Ihezuonu, Member of the Executive Council; Mr. Abiola Hamid, Member; Mrs. Nwagwu, Member; Mr. Olawale Shittu, Administrative Officer; and Miss Toluwani Mawuton, Administrative Officer II.
