Despite assertions by the Nigerian government, Maersk has confirmed that there is no $600 million investment agreement with President Bola Tinubu.
The government claimed such a deal was made, supported by a video circulating on social media.
However, the X community has highlighted that the video has been digitally altered to mislead viewers, with discrepancies between the audio and video. Maersk has debunked these claims and criticized the Nigerian government’s media sources for spreading misinformation and propaganda.
Maersk’s Rebuttal
Maersk officials have refuted the investment claims, clarifying that while discussions with the Nigerian government were ongoing, no concrete investment plans had been finalized. The company asserts that no such deal exists and that the claim came as news to its officials.
Presidency’s Assertion
The presidency maintains that Maersk’s chairman, Robert Maersk Uggla, discussed the investment with Tinubu during a meeting on energy development and growth. A direct quote attributed to Uggla emphasized their belief in Nigeria and a planned $600 million investment in port facilities to accommodate larger ships.
Maersk’s Official Statement
In a communication to Lloyds List, a longstanding journal, Maersk officials reiterated the absence of a signed deal, highlighting ongoing discussions with the Nigerian government but no finalized investment plans.
Continuing Controversy
Despite media reports suggesting Maersk denied the alleged million-dollar investment in Nigeria, Tinubu’s Special Assistant on social media, Dada Olusegun, clarified that Maersk had not contradicted the Federal Government’s statements. Olusegun emphasized that the controversy stemmed from media headlines rather than direct denials by Maersk.
