Badagry, Lagos state – 17 August 2026.
The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) held a strategic engagement with the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, as part of its continued efforts to advance the economic development and investment potentials of Badagry.
The meeting was convened to formally brief the Chairman on BACCIMAs Invest Badagry proposal, which had earlier been submitted to the Local Government, and to further discuss the proposed initiative, its objectives, investment opportunities, economic prosperity to Badagry and the role of the Local Government in making the project a 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 aimed at positioning Badagry as the Western Gateway to Nigeria and West Africa.
He explained that the proposal is not a departure from the existing relationship between BACCIMA and Badagry Local Government. Rather, it represents the next stage of a partnership that has already focused on transforming Badagry into a major commercial hub, creating sustainable employment opportunities and empowering women and young people.
The proposed initiative is modelled on the successful “INVEST LAGOS” approach by the Lagos State Government and is intended to move Badagry beyond simply being promoted as a commercial hub to becoming a destination where actual investment is attracted into bankable projects.
According to him, 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.
During the engagement, Alhaji Yahaya described Badagry as a Super Highway to Europe, highlighted the unique advantages that make Badagry particularly suited for investment. Among these is Badagrys strategic location along the border with the Republic of Benin popularly known as Lagos-Abidjan Corridor, which provides opportunities for cross-border trade, logistics and the implementation of regional trade frameworks, including ECOWAS and AfCFTA protocols.
The discussion further highlighted the potential of Badagry waterways and marine resources to support the emerging blue economy, including fisheries, aquaculture, mariculture, marine logistics and other water-based economic activities. The BACCIMA presentation similarly identifies Badagry coastline and waterways as major investment opportunities within the blue economy.
The President also spoke about the potential of Badagry rich cultural and historical heritage to attract tourism, hospitality, entertainment and creative-economy investments. The areas available land and the Badagry division corridor was equally identified as opportunities for industrial development, agro-processing, real estate and infrastructure.
He stressed that with the right partnerships, planning and investment facilitation, Badagry could become a major investment destination and epic center for commerce within Lagos State and the wider West African region.
The President referenced previous stakeholder engagements concerning infrastructure requirements in Badagry, particularly the need for adequate electricity infrastructure to support industrial and commercial developments, where he posited that the establishment of electricity Sub-Station is highly needed in Badagry to power all these foreseeable developments.
He used the opportunity to plead with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to speed up the dredging of the lagoon from CMS/Apapa to Badagry so as to make Badagry enjoy intermodal transportation system, since Mile 2 – Badagry express road has been completed.
He further stressed 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.
The President expressed the view that with effective collaboration between the Local Government, BACCIMA, investors, developers and other responsible organisations, Badagry could become a major investment destination and a leading topic of economic development in Lagos State.
A central point of the engagement was the importance of Badagry Local Government playing an active role in driving the investment agenda. The President emphasized 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 and facilitating responsible investment.
The “INVEST BADAGRY” proposal similarly seeks the formal involvement of Badagry Local Government through endorsement of the initiative, Co-hosting of the proposed summit and a partnership framework between the Local Government and BACCIMA.
The Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe in his response, expressed his sincere admiration and appreciation for the presentation and the Chamber’s vision. He extended personal gratitude to the BACCIMA President, Alhaji Yahaya Idris, commending his dedication to the community and his willingness to commit personal resources toward promoting Badagry both nationally and internationally. Describing these continuous efforts as deeply impressive, the Chairman acknowledged the leadership team’s unwavering commitment to bringing meaningful development initiatives to the region.
Highlighting the area’s rich cultural heritage and economic promise, the Chairman expressed his absolute belief and confidence that Badagry stands as a premier tourist destination in Nigeria. He reiterated that harnessing this immense tourism potential is vital to unlocking sustainable long-term growth and visibility for the region.
On economic development, the Chairman emphasized the critical role of power infrastructure in driving regional growth and underscored the government’s responsibility to cultivate an enabling environment for private investment. He expressed his strong support for the establishment of an electricity sub-station in Badagry, sharing his firm belief that through strategic initiatives like the “INVEST BADAGRY” project, this vital power project will soon become a reality for the community.
Hon. Hunpe strongly emphasized that advancing major local initiativesmost notably the Badagry Deep Seaport projectrequires strong, ongoing collaboration between public authorities and the business sector. He reinforced that sustainable economic progress relies entirely on a shared commitment and active partnership between the government and private stakeholders.
Drawing from his extensive public service experience, the Chairman provided context on the historical challenges and uncertainties surrounding large-scale development projects like the seaport. He observed that project delays are not solely attributable to government processes, but are often deeply influenced by the commitment, stability, and actions of the investors themselves. Expressing renewed optimism, he highlighted encouraging signals that original investors and promoters have returned to the deep seaport project, marking a promising step forward for Badagry’s economic future.
At the end of the meeting, Hon Hunpe threw his weight to set up a Technical Committee between the representatives of Badagry Local Government and BACCIMA team as suggested by the President, to kick start the project in earnest.
In attendance with the Executive Chairman was the Secretary Hon. Adagba, Council Manager, Mrs. Avoseh Akwe, Council Treasurer, Mr. Hunponu Olugbenga, Special Adviser on Agric., Representatives from Community Development, and the Protocol Officer to the Chairman, Mr. Hunga Joshua.
On BACCIMA entourage with the President was Mrs. Adenike Alade (Direstor of Information), Mrs. Laguda Grace (Director of Benchmarking), Mr. Eugene Ihezuonu (Member of Executive Council), Mr. Abiola Hamid (Member), Mrs. Nwagwu (Member), Mr. Olawale C. Shittu (Administrative Officer), Miss. Whenu M. Toluwani (Administrative Officer II).
Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (BACCIMA)