BUA Group Refutes Hadiza Bala Usman’s Claims, Cites Contract Violations and Legal Breaches During Her NPA Tenure

BUA Group has issued a strong rebuttal to recent comments made by Hadiza Bala Usman, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), accusing her of breaching contractual obligations, defying court orders, and acting unilaterally to disrupt BUA’s operations at Terminal B of the Rivers Port in Port Harcourt.

The response comes in the wake of Usman’s comments targeting BUA Group and its Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, following his recent article and interview titled “Two Years of President Tinubu: A Business Perspective.” The article praised the current administration’s efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s business environment and referenced past instances of policy-induced disruptions—without naming any individuals.

In a detailed statement, BUA described Usman’s allegations as “distortions of fact,” and accused the former NPA chief of terminating BUA’s port concession without due process during her time in office.

Background to the Dispute

BUA Group entered into a valid long lease agreement with the NPA in 2006 to rehabilitate and operate Terminal B. According to the company, by the time Usman was appointed in 2016, it had already engaged with the NPA to address key infrastructural and safety issues at the terminal.

Instead of building on that process, BUA alleges, Usman disregarded BUA’s communications and used a letter—mandated under Article 8.4 of the lease to report safety concerns—as a pretext to shut down the terminal. The company claims the action was taken without prior notice, consultation, or adherence to the dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the agreement.

Contractual Breaches and Legal Battle

BUA maintains that during Usman’s tenure, the NPA itself failed to fulfill core obligations, including dredging, repairs to quay walls, and clearing derelict cargo, which impeded its ability to operate. Following the shutdown, BUA obtained a Federal High Court injunction restraining the NPA from proceeding with the termination. The NPA also initiated arbitration, as stipulated by the contract.

Despite these actions, Usman allegedly proceeded to decommission the terminal—an act BUA claims was not supported by any clause in the concession agreement. The group challenged her to publicly cite any provision that granted her the authority to decommission the facility.

BUA said its operations resumed briefly after providing requested guarantees, only to be shut down again within weeks, allegedly on Usman’s direct orders. The company filed contempt proceedings and reported estimated losses exceeding $10 million, though it later withdrew the suit following interventions by prominent Nigerians and in consideration of national interest.

Presidential Review and Reversal

BUA also pushed back against Usman’s claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari was misinformed when he reversed her decision. The group said its Chairman presented the issue directly to Buhari in 2018, prompting a legal review by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

According to BUA, the AGF’s findings declared the termination unlawful and the decommissioning of the terminal baseless. This led to Buhari ordering a reversal of the termination and the restoration of BUA’s rights. The company credited this decision with saving over 4,000 jobs and preserving a $500 million industrial investment cluster in Rivers State.

Post-Usman Developments

Following Usman’s removal from office, BUA says the NPA under new leadership granted formal approval for reconstruction. The group has since invested over $65 million—entirely self-funded—into the terminal’s redevelopment, with completion expected by Q1 2026.

Investor Confidence at Stake

The company warned that actions such as those allegedly taken by Usman pose serious risks to investor confidence and the sanctity of contracts in Nigeria. It praised President Bola Tinubu’s current administration for restoring confidence in the rule of law and due process, citing over $1 billion in new investments by BUA across various sectors under his leadership.

While reiterating that Ms. Usman is entitled to her opinions, BUA stated she is not entitled to distort facts or rewrite history. The company concluded by calling for public officeholders to prioritize national interest over personal biases, urging Usman to either present legal justification for her actions or allow the public record to stand unchallenged.