The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) has strengthened its executive leadership with the appointment of Dr. Oforkanji Emmanuel Onwodi as its Chief Operating Officer. Onwodi, a public-private partnership and infrastructure specialist, brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure development, concession management, project finance, risk management, transport, and logistics. His expertise is expected to drive the operational execution of the Benin-Asaba Expressway concession.
Onwodi's background includes 14 years of senior roles at the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, where he covered transport infrastructure, planning, research, statistics, and special projects. As COO, he will coordinate key stakeholders, support the implementation of BAECC's long-term objectives, and promote operational efficiency. His mandate also includes maintaining the integrity of the concession framework and strengthening cooperation among government institutions, investors, contractors, lenders, host communities, and other stakeholders.
With his experience at the intersection of public policy, private capital, and major infrastructure development, Onwodi is well-positioned to support the delivery of the expressway project. During his public-sector career, he participated in the development, review, and implementation of major public-private partnership and infrastructure initiatives across various sectors, including roads, railways, ports, aviation, energy, real estate, and social infrastructure.
Onwodi's expertise extends to the structuring and negotiation of concession arrangements, project finance, financial modeling, risk allocation, contingent liabilities, and the development of frameworks aimed at improving the bankability and sustainability of infrastructure projects. He contributed to the Nigerian Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, the National Infrastructure Financing Policy, and guidelines supporting PPP implementation across federal ministries, departments, and agencies.
Onwodi also played a key role in the development of Nigeria's Sukuk bond framework, designed to broaden sources of capital for infrastructure development. In the transport sector, his experience covers road concessions, national tolling frameworks, railway development, deep-sea ports, dry ports, truck transit parks, and aviation infrastructure. He participated in the negotiation and structuring of the Eastern and Western Railway concessions, valued at over $2.2 billion.
Onwodi's maritime infrastructure experience includes work on frameworks for the Badagry Deep-Sea Port, Ibom Deep-Sea Port, and Bakassi Port, in addition to broader maritime and logistics policy initiatives. He has also been involved in public-private partnership structuring and financial modeling for aviation and airport infrastructure, independent power projects, hydropower risk allocation, and other infrastructure initiatives.
The appointment of Onwodi is expected to enhance BAECC's capabilities in managing the Benin-Asaba highway corridor. His experience and expertise will be crucial in driving the project's success and ensuring its long-term sustainability. With Onwodi on board, BAECC is well-positioned to advance the development and management of the expressway, ultimately contributing to Nigeria's infrastructure growth.
Key points
- Dr. Oforkanji Emmanuel Onwodi brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure development and concession management to his new role as COO of BAECC.
- Onwodi's expertise includes public-private partnership structuring, project finance, and risk management, making him well-suited to drive the operational execution of the Benin-Asaba Expressway concession.
- The appointment of Onwodi is expected to strengthen BAECC's executive leadership and support the delivery of the expressway project.
