The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) has appointed Dr. Oforkanji Emmanuel Onwodi as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic move aims to bolster the company's executive leadership as it progresses with the development and management of the Benin-Asaba Expressway corridor. Dr. Onwodi brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure development, concession management, project finance, risk management, transport, and logistics.
Dr. Onwodi, a chartered accountant and infrastructure finance specialist, previously served as a senior official at the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for 14 years. During his tenure, he held senior roles, including director-level positions in Transport Infrastructure, Planning, Research and Statistics, and Special Projects. His expertise includes concession structuring and negotiation, project finance, financial modeling, risk allocation, and contingent liabilities.
In his new role, Dr. Onwodi will oversee the operational execution of the expressway concession, coordinate with key stakeholders, and support the implementation of BAECC's long-term objectives. His responsibilities will include strengthening project delivery, improving operational efficiency, maintaining the integrity of the concession framework, and promoting cooperation among government institutions, investors, contractors, lenders, host communities, and other stakeholders.
Dr. Onwodi holds a Ph.D. in Risk Management in Public-Private Partnerships, with research focused on contingent liability risk. He also holds an M.Sc. in Risk Management from Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, and a B.A. in International Accounting from the University of Northampton, UK. Additionally, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria.
The new COO is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). He is also a Certified Public-Private Partnership Professional (CP3P), Chartered Financial Consultant (CFC), and Chartered Management Consultant (Ch.MC). Dr. Onwodi's professional experience includes participation in the development, review, and implementation of major infrastructure and PPP initiatives across various sectors.
Dr. Onwodi contributed to policy initiatives, including the Nigerian Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, the National Infrastructure Financing Policy, and guidelines supporting PPP implementation across Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. He also served on the inter-agency committee involved in developing Nigeria's Sukuk bond framework, designed to expand financing options for infrastructure projects. Furthermore, he participated in the negotiation and structuring of the Eastern and Western Railway concessions, valued at over $2.2 billion.
According to BAECC, Dr. Onwodi's combination of public-sector experience, financial expertise, and knowledge of complex concession arrangements will support the company's efforts to deliver the expressway project. The company stated that his appointment comes at a critical stage of the corridor's development, requiring effective coordination among the concessionaire, government agencies, contractors, financiers, communities, and road users. The Benin-Asaba Expressway, developed under a PPP concession, serves as a vital transport link between Edo and Delta states, facilitating the movement of people and goods across southern Nigeria.
Key points
- Dr. Oforkanji Onwodi's appointment as COO aims to strengthen BAECC's executive leadership for the Benin-Asaba Expressway development.
- Dr. Onwodi brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure development, concession management, project finance, risk management, transport, and logistics.
- His responsibilities include strengthening project delivery, improving operational efficiency, and promoting cooperation among stakeholders.
