Welcome to Apapa FC, Lagos.

Apapa - the port-city of Lagos, Nigeria.!

Apapa, Lagos Nigeria, not to be confused with APAPA - the acronym of “Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs” in the U.S.A., is the motherland of the most illustrious sea port in all of Nigeria. To be sure, the story of Apapa as a community is the story of the largest sea port in Nigeria.

Apapa, which is also known as the "port of Lagos," is a local government area in Lagos, Nigeria, and lies to the west of the Island of Lagos. It is located close to the mouth of the Lagos lagoon and the latter-in-time Tin Can Island port, both of which are nearby. Tin Can Island Port is the second largest port in Nigeria after Apapa Port.

Apapa in Lagos, sounds like ‘port’ to most Lagosians! and for good reasons. The seaport of Apapa was founded in the early 15th Century. It served the old yoruba Oyo Empire of present-day Nigeria. An estimated 500,000 Slaves shipped from Apapa port to the Americas, and slaves were brought from other West Africa regions to be emigrated.

Slavery as known then, then faded away to colonial rule in the early 1900 years, and by 1913, the colonial administration financed, built and administered the now-known ‘Apapa Port Complex’ through till 1921 when the four deep water berths were commenced. It easily became the nation's busiest port for exporting agricultural produce gotten from the provinces of Western and Northern Nigeria in the late 1920s. Administration of the port was transferred to the Nigerian government upon its Independence in 1960. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) already established in 1954 by the Ports Act ( Cap 155 of the law of the Federation of Nigeria –amended 1999 ) took over from the British the administration of the port upon independence of Nigeria.

Beginning in 1956, the newly formed NPA began to expand the number of berths within the complex, adding an additional six berthing space. This extension of the wharf was completed in 1961. A second extension was completed during the first national development plan between 1962 and 1968. The increased space caused the port to further lead in cargo handling and by the end of 1966, it handled a cargo load of 1.9 million tonnes. After the second extension, the land area of the wharf was about 100 hectares with the ability to handle twenty loading or discharging vessels at a time. A third extension along the Badagry creek was completed in 1979. The authorities created facilities for loading and discharging bulk cement and grains.

The Apapa Port is well equipped with modern cargo handling equipment and personnel support facilities making her cost effective and customer friendly. It enjoys intermodal connection – Rail, Water and Road. Apapa Port Complex is also known as the Lagos Port Complex.

In 2005, Apapa Port Complex was divided into terminals and contracted out to private operators with NPA acting as the landlord and regulator. It has presently five (5) private Terminals and eight (8) jetties. Easily the largest and busiest sea port in Nigeria, the complex consists of a number of facilities including Apapa quays, Third Apapa Wharf Extension, Apapa Dockyard, Apapa Petroleum Wharf, Bulk Vegetable Oil Wharf, Ijora Wharf, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, and Lily Pond inland container terminal.

Of artifacts and history, Apapa, Lagos is renowned - an important bronze head of jewellery dating from the 16th Century was discovered in Apapa in 1907 and is now kept at the British Museum.

In 1950, the development of an industrial and housing estate covering 1000 acres began. The estate was completed in 1957/1958 and it flourished along with the expansion of the Apapa Wharf. The estate once accounted for the housing of a large number of industrial and construction workers in Lagos. As the Apapa ports burgeoned, the location expanded to accommodate the influx of population into the area.

Call Apapa ‘money-maker’ of the Nigerian government and you would be correct.! In 2016, the Nigerian Customs Department reported that goods passing through the Apapa port generated a whopping 385.7 billion naira in revenue.!

Apapa is home to the Bua Group refineries, and home to myriad commercial facilities that process a variety of commodities such as wheat, oil, cement, and fish amongst other things, altogether churning huge revenues. It is also the home of the Nigerian newspaper Thisday, which has its headquarters there.

Again of notable landmarks, the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison of the Nigerian Prisons Service is located in Apapa. Paul Chiama of Leadership (a Nigerian daily national newspaper established in October 2004) wrote - "The mention of Kirikiri first reminds any Nigerian of this prison.”

Apapa has its own train station - Apapa Train Station, near Dockyard Rd, Apapa 1. Apapa has the expansive Apapa Amusement Park, a delightful feature missing in other enviable areas of Lagos; with its Arabian architectural structure, you would catch a glimpse-feeling of being in Dubai.! A mix of adult games, kart racing, rides, children's games, a fountain and seating areas and a sprawling parking areas are just a few of the amenities available at the park.

And there is the Apapa Mall - one of the largest shopping malls in Lagos, a fantastic place to get all your day-to-day needs, groceries and all.

The Mall boasts a vast variety of stores and cafes ranging from the well-known PEP store to Cash 'n' Carry that offers basic amenities from clothing to electrical gadgets. And there is even more: the Mall houses Filmhouse Cinema.

The Karma Supermarket; the Zeke plaza; Joshua Supermarket; Jumia Store; and Salaudeen Shopping Centre are some of the other options to shop in Apapa, amongst others.

Apapa impresses at night-life. The port-city provides premium entertainment for its residents even at night. There are tons of night-clubs, lounges, and bars to explore.

At night, the pubs, Restaurants and bars transform into a lively nightclub with live music and dancing. Usually featuring a lounge and a dance hall, the pubs are a popular destination for both locals and visitors from around the world.

Kingstine Jo in Apapa is a splendid meet-up spot to spend dreamy evenings with friends, to enjoy affordable chilled drinks and live entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere.

Stephanie's Bar, located at Calcutta crescent, Apapa, is a great option for mellow relaxation with friends and pals. They offer delicious foods and very cold drinks at a reasonable price, and they have an open space on the ground floor that allows for natural ventilation and breeze.

Apapa Club House, Avondale Club, Bullus International Hotel Night Club, and Doris Bar are some of the other popular nightlife destinations in Lagos.

From the ‘port-city’ of Lagos Nigeria comes the APAPA FOOTBALL CLUB!