Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Appoints Emmanuel Onwodi as New COO
The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) has announced the appointment of renowned Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and infrastructure specialist, Dr. Emmanuel Onwodi, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic move aims to bolster the company’s leadership and accelerate the development and management of the critical Benin-Asaba highway corridor.
With over 25 years of professional experience, Onwodi, a chartered accountant, infrastructure finance expert, and former senior official of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), brings a wealth of knowledge in infrastructure development, concession management, project finance, risk management, transport, and logistics.
In his new role, he will oversee the operational execution of the Benin-Asaba Expressway concession. His responsibilities include strengthening project delivery, coordinating key stakeholders, and supporting the implementation of the company’s long-term objectives. Additionally, he will focus on promoting operational efficiency, maintaining the integrity of the concession framework, and fostering collaboration among government institutions, investors, contractors, lenders, communities, and other project stakeholders.
Onwodi’s appointment is a significant addition to BAECC’s leadership, given his extensive experience at the intersection of government policy, private capital, and major infrastructure projects. His career reflects a deep understanding of complex concession arrangements, project finance, and infrastructure policy development.
He holds a Ph.D. in Risk Management in Public-Private Partnerships, a Master’s in Risk Management from Birmingham City University, UK, and a B.A. in International Accounting from the University of Northampton, UK. His qualifications also include a Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT), and holds certifications such as CP3P, CFC, and Ch.MC.
Throughout his career, Onwodi has held senior roles at the ICRC, contributing to Nigeria’s major infrastructure initiatives across roads, railways, ports, aviation, energy, and social infrastructure. He has been involved in structuring and negotiating concession agreements, project finance, risk allocation, and developing frameworks to enhance project bankability and sustainability.
His work has influenced key policy initiatives, including Nigeria’s Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan and the National Infrastructure Financing Policy. He also participated in developing Nigeria’s Sukuk bond framework, aimed at diversifying infrastructure funding sources. His transport sector experience encompasses road concessions, railway development, deep-sea ports, and transit parks, with notable involvement in the $2.2 billion Eastern and Western Railway concessions.
In energy and maritime infrastructure, he has contributed to projects like the Badagry Deep-Sea Port, Ibom Deep-Sea Port, and Bakassi Port. His expertise extends to PPP structuring for aviation, power, and hydropower projects, as well as urban and social infrastructure initiatives.
Beyond project development, Onwodi is active in capacity building, serving as Director of Programme and Capacity Building for the PPP Practitioners Association of Nigeria (P3PAN) and as Branch Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Abuja. His international engagements include participation in conferences organized by the World Association of Public-Private Partnerships, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and other global platforms.
BAECC notes that Onwodi’s combined experience in public-sector policy, private infrastructure, and financial expertise will be instrumental in delivering the Benin-Asaba Expressway project. The corridor, a vital link connecting Edo and Delta states, plays a crucial role in facilitating movement and commerce across southern Nigeria.
His leadership is expected to enhance project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence, ensuring the highway’s delivery aligns with national infrastructure standards. “Infrastructure is the bridge between vision and prosperity. Through balanced risk, transparent partnership, and rigorous execution, we turn concession agreements into lasting public value — for generations to come,” Onwodi stated.
His appointment underscores BAECC’s commitment to assembling a world-class leadership team capable of delivering a safe, efficient, and modern expressway that will benefit Nigeria’s economy and its people. The company emphasizes that its immediate priority remains effective project execution and stakeholder engagement to realize the full potential of this transformative infrastructure.
