From Gatwick to Lagos: Billionaire Bayo Ogunlesi Set to Invest in Nigeria’s Ports
- Adebayo Ogunlesi, a Nigerian billionaire, has unveiled plans to invest in Nigerian port infrastructure
- Ogunlesi, who acquired three UK airports, disclosed his plans after he met with President Bola Tinubu
- The versatile investor disclosed that his company has investments in the Togo and Benin ports
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Nigerian-born billionaire and global investor Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi has announced plans to channel major investments into Nigeria’s port infrastructure, a move that could reshape the nation’s maritime and logistics sector.
After acquiring three major UK airports, Nigerian billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi is now turning his focus homeward — investing in Nigeria’s port infrastructure.
Ogunlesi said that the brief exchange marked a renewed commitment to channel world-class infrastructure investment back to Nigeria.
Source: Getty Images
A humble Admission and a promise
The founder and chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) told President Tinubu that while his firm had successfully developed ports in Togo and Benin, none existed yet in Nigeria.
“I confessed to Mr. President that one of our companies has a port in Cotonou and one in Lomé, but none in Nigeria. I asked for his forgiveness, and being the gentleman that he is, he forgave me — but said, ‘You must bring port investment to Nigeria.’”
That brief exchange, Ogunlesi said, marked the beginning of a new commitment to bring world-class infrastructure investment home.
Tinubu’s reform signals investor confidence
Ogunlesi credited the Tinubu administration’s economic policies for restoring investor confidence and creating a more attractive business environment.
He highlighted several reforms — including the removal of fuel subsidies, tax restructuring, and unification of ownership systems — as key signals of progress. The commissioning of new refineries, he added, further strengthens Nigeria’s industrial base.
“Nigeria is now an exciting place to invest,” Ogunlesi said. “These reforms have created the foundations for economic transformation, and international investors are taking notice.”
According to him, discussions with the President centred on positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for international capital and trade.
Beyond ports: Energy and aviation in focus
The billionaire’s vision doesn’t stop at ports. Ogunlesi revealed that GIP is also exploring opportunities in energy and aviation, two sectors he believes hold massive untapped potential in Africa’s largest economy.
“We are building LNG plants in Texas and Australia. Nigeria is a huge gas province, and that’s an area we are very interested in,” he said. “People describe me as the guy who bought Gatwick Airport — well, aviation is another sector of focus for us.”
If successful, these ventures could position GIP as one of the most influential infrastructure investors in Nigeria’s future growth story.
A rising tide of hope
Ogunlesi ended his remarks on a note of optimism, expressing strong faith in Nigeria’s economic direction and the leadership steering it.
“The President has carried out fundamental reforms. The next stage is building an export-led economy. Nigeria’s hope is rising, and we will play our part in delivering on that promise.”
With Ogunlesi’s renewed commitment and Nigeria’s ongoing reforms, the world may soon see a homecoming of capital, innovation, and confidence, a new era for Nigeria’s ports and beyond.
Ogunlesi joins Africa's billionaire club
Ogunlesi, who operated three UK airports, including Gatwick, London City Airport, and Edinburgh Airport, emerged as one of Africa’s billionaires after selling his asset management firm, GIP, for $12.5 billion.
The deal instantly put Ogunlesi among Nigeria’s and Africa’s wealthiest people.
He was recently appointed to the board of OpenAI, the owners of ChatGPT.
Source: Instagram
Six things to know about Adebayo Ogunlesi
Legit.ng earlier reported that Adebayo Ogunlesi, the Nigerian-born billionaire investor and business mogul, has been appointed as a new board member of OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence research organisation.
Ogunlesi, who holds United States citizenship, is regarded by Forbes as one of the richest men in the world.
According to a statement from OpenAI, the appointment of Ogunlesi will help the organisation navigate the global transformation of AI infrastructure, drive innovation, and foster economic growth.
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Source: Legit.ng
