For two decades, the top job at West Africa Container Terminal in Onne remained firmly out of reach for Nigerian executives. That barrier came crashing down on 1 July 2026, when Courage Obadagbonyi assumed the role of Managing Director of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, becoming the first Nigerian to hold that position since the company commenced commercial operations in Rivers State in 2006.
Obadagbonyi is no stranger to breaking new ground. A seasoned executive with over two decades of international experience, he has held leadership roles across finance, operations and general management at global organisations including APM Terminals, General Electric and Lafarge.
Prior to his elevation, 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 Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa between 2025 and March 2026. His expertise spans oil and gas, power generation, logistics and healthcare, giving him rare depth in financial management, risk optimisation and business performance.
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.”
Frederik Klinke, Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, noted that Nigerians have continued to distinguish themselves through exceptional performance and leadership. He added that colleagues from the Apapa and Onne terminals have contributed their expertise internationally while bringing back valuable best practices to strengthen operations in Nigeria.
WACT-APM Terminals in Onne is one of Nigeria’s leading container terminals, having benefited from a one hundred and fifteen million dollar upgrade project launched in 2020. The upgrade includes reefer racks with a six-hundred-plug capacity, an expanded yard, a new workshop, a modern automated gate, upgraded offices and state-of-the-art technology.
Obadagbonyi’s appointment is not merely a personal triumph. It signals a fundamental shift in an industry where expatriate leadership once held near-total sway, and it offers young Nigerian professionals a powerful testament that the highest seats are now within their reach.
