Nigeria’s maritime industry recorded one of its strongest performances in recent history in 2025, with total cargo throughput rising by 24.8 percent — a development widely viewed as a clear signal of progress in the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.
According to the 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), cargo throughput increased from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.
Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the performance as one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history, noting that the milestone reinforces the country’s growing competitiveness in regional and global trade.
Export Momentum Gains Ground
While imports continue to account for the larger share of cargo movement, the report highlights a steady rise in export activity. Exports represented 39.0 percent of total cargo throughput, compared to 59.2 percent for inward traffic, while transshipment accounted for 1.8 percent.
Industry analysts say the growth in export volumes validates policy reforms aimed at reducing reliance on crude oil revenues and strengthening non-oil export sectors.
Containerized cargo — a key barometer of trade sophistication — also recorded strong growth. Total container traffic rose by 25.7 percent, surpassing 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Export containers grew by 3.1 percent, while import-laden containers surged by 32.8 percent.
Notably, transshipment containers jumped by 205.8 percent, underscoring Nigeria’s emergence as a regional logistics hub serving West and Central Africa.
Lekki Port Leads, Bigger Vessels Berth in Nigeria
The report identifies Lekki Port as Nigeria’s leading port, accounting for 40.6 percent of total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 percent, while Apapa Port handled 16.7 percent.
Beyond volume, Lekki Port also attracted the largest vessels, recording an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly ahead of Onne Port at 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island Port received ships averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.
Although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship calls — accounting for 22.7 percent of total arrivals — Lekki and Onne ports are increasingly accommodating larger, higher-capacity vessels, signaling a structural shift in Nigeria’s maritime traffic profile.
Overall, total ship calls rose by nearly 12 percent to 4,477 vessels in 2025.
Cargo Composition and Regional Hub Status
Liquid bulk cargo, including petroleum products and chemicals, remained dominant at 54.7 percent of total throughput, while containerized cargo accounted for 24 percent.
Maritime analysts note that the increase in vessel size, container traffic, and transshipment volumes indicates that Nigeria’s ports are steadily aligning with global shipping standards and positioning the country as a preferred regional transshipment hub.
The dramatic 205.8 percent rise in transshipment containers is particularly significant, as it reflects growing confidence among international shipping lines in Nigeria’s port infrastructure and operational capacity.
Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed optimism that the next phase of growth will be propelled by the Federal Government–approved port modernization programme and the rollout of the National Single Window system.
The comprehensive modernization initiative aims to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, upgrade quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s port network. The reforms are expected to reduce vessel turnaround time, shorten cargo dwell time, enhance safety standards, and improve overall operational efficiency.
With export-led growth gaining traction and larger vessels calling at Nigerian ports, the 2025 NPA report positions the nation’s maritime sector led by Lekki Port as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy and its ambition to become a dominant trade gateway in Africa.
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