APM Terminals Apapa has honoured 60 pioneer employees with ₦1.5 million gift vouchers each, in recognition of two decades of dedication, resilience and commitment to the growth of the terminal. The special celebration brought together the company’s management and employees, who joined APM Terminals Apapa in its early years, many of whom have spent their entire careers with the company.
The milestone offered an opportunity to reflect on the terminal’s remarkable transformation from largely manual operations into a modern, digitally driven facility. At the event, the company’s Country CEO, Koen De Backker, who previously worked with APMT between 2008 and 2012, said: “I remember faces and I certainly remember the smiles. And what I do remember is your performance, persistence and resilience.”
While commending the employees for the role they played in building the terminal’s reputation and success, De Backker said that he was particularly proud of how far the company had come, describing it as a flagship terminal whose name and reputation now extend beyond Nigeria. He added: “Today, we talk about Apapa and I’m very proud. It’s a flagship terminal, and the name Apapa comes up everywhere you go.
So that is you guys.” Also, its Managing Director, Kamal Alhraishat, described the 60 honourees as the foundation upon which the terminal’s achievements have been built, urging them to take pride in the transformation they had helped deliver. He said that investment in technology and systems could only succeed because of the people behind them. Alhraishat added: “What you see now is the result of your hard work and dedication.
So be proud of that. You are the foundation of this company. We invested in systems. We invested in everything. But all of that is nothing without the people.” He also challenged the experienced employees to share their knowledge and help prepare younger colleagues for the next chapter of the terminal’s development. The company’s Head of People Function, Uzoma Ben-Ude, said that the 20-year journey of the pioneer employees reflected their determination and commitment to the company, encouraging the honourees to celebrate the milestone with their families, recognising the support they had provided throughout their careers.
Among those honoured was Workforce Manager, Magnus Ogbodu, and one of the terminal’s earliest employees, who said he was delighted to have witnessed its transformation while remaining part of its workforce after 20 years. He noted that the company had positively transformed his life and that of his family. Its Lead Data Analyst, Olufisayo Makinde, highlighted the company’s culture and opportunities for growth as key aspects of her journey, while Billing and Waiver Lead, Chienyenwa Amaefule, said that patience was one of the most valuable lessons she had learnt.
Reflecting on the terminal’s early days, Amaefule recalled an operation that was largely manual, contrasting it with today’s technology-enabled environment. She encouraged new and younger staff members to give their best, stressing that dedication and patience remain essential to achieving lasting results. APM Terminals Apapa is Nigeria’s leading container terminal, supporting the movement of goods through the Lagos port and playing an important role in facilitating trade and strengthening supply-chain connectivity.
Since commencing operations at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa in 2006, the terminal has undergone significant investment and transformation, evolving its infrastructure, technology and processes while developing the people at the heart of its operations.
