WACT-APM Terminals appoints first Nigerian MD
July 2, 2026 1:13 am
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria incoming Managing Director, Courage Obadagbonyi.
By Anozie Egole
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has announced the appointment of Courage Obadagbonyi as Managing Director, effective 1 July, succeeding Jeethu Jose and making him the first Nigerian to attain the position.
In a statement on Monday, the company disclosed that the appointment reflects the organisation’s continued focus on developing strong leadership from within its global talent pool while ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence.
The statement explained that, as a seasoned executive with over two decades of international experience, Obadagbonyi has held leadership roles across finance, operations, and general management at leading global organisations, including APM Terminals, General Electric, and Lafarge. Before this appointment, he served as Chief Financial Officer for the APM Terminals Nigeria cluster, with responsibility for financial strategy across Nigeria and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire.
“He also served in an acting capacity as the Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa between 2025 and March 2026, further strengthening his operational leadership experience. With experience spanning sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, logistics, and healthcare, Obadagbonyi brings deep expertise in financial management, risk optimisation, and business performance,” the statement read in part.
Speaking on his appointment, Obadagbonyi said, “I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place at WACT. The Terminal plays a critical role in connecting businesses in Eastern Nigeria to global markets, and we will continue to focus on safe, reliable, and efficient operations.”
The Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, noted that the appointment reflects the company’s commitment to leadership development and long-term growth.
“Across APM Terminals globally, we see strong collaboration and talent development across our teams. This appointment reflects the depth of experience within our organisation and continued focus on building capabilities that support sustainable growth. Nigerians have continued to distinguish themselves through exceptional performance and leadership. Colleagues from our Apapa and Onne terminals have contributed their expertise internationally while also bringing back valuable best practices to strengthen operations in Nigeria,” Klinke said.
He added that Obadagbonyi’s experience will support the next phase of operational excellence and value delivery at WACT.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Managing Director, Jeethu Jose, said, “It has been a privilege to lead WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria during a period of meaningful progress. The team has built a strong platform for the future, and I am confident in the continued success of the organisation.”
West Africa Container Terminal-APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s leading container terminals, having commenced commercial operations in 2006. The company has continued to invest in capacity expansion and modernisation, including a $115m terminal upgrade project launched in 2020. The upgrade also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the current yard, a new workshop, a new terminal auto gate, modernised offices, and state-of-the-art technology. These investments have enhanced efficiency, strengthened service delivery, and reinforced WACT’s role as an important gateway for trade beyond Lagos.
Anozie is a Chief Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over 13 years of experience covering entertainment, maritime, and transport sectors. He specializes in producing insightful, engaging stories that provide clarity and depth across his beats. Anozie’s work reflects substantial newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accurate and compelling journalism.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]