Nigeria’s Ports Achieve Historic Growth in 2025, Led by Lekki Port Handling 40.6% of Cargo

Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a landmark performance in 2025, driven by surging cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and expanding exports, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) 2025 Operational Performance Report. Total cargo throughput jumped 24.8 percent, rising from about 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons last year, marking one of the most significant annual increases in the nation’s maritime history.

NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as a milestone that strengthens Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade. While imports remain the largest component of cargo traffic at 59.2 percent, exports accounted for 39 percent, reflecting the Federal Government’s push to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on crude oil. Transshipment contributed 1.8 percent of total cargo.

Containerized cargo, a key measure of export trade activity, rose 25.7 percent to surpass 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Exports increased by 3.1 percent, imports surged 32.8 percent, and transshipment containers skyrocketed by 205.8 percent, positioning Nigeria as a growing logistics hub for West and Central Africa.

Lekki Port led national cargo throughput, handling 40.6 percent of total volumes, followed by Onne Port at 19.1 percent and Apapa Port at 16.7 percent. Lekki also received the largest vessels, averaging 55,712 GRT, compared with Onne’s 53,022 GRT. Tin Can Island Port saw the highest frequency of ship calls at 22.7 percent, but Lekki and Onne are increasingly hosting the sector’s largest vessels.

Overall ship calls rose nearly 12 percent to 4,477 vessels. Liquid bulk remained the dominant commodity at 54.7 percent, while containerized cargo accounted for 24 percent. Analysts note that the increasing size and sophistication of vessel traffic reflect a sector aligning more closely with global shipping standards.

The report also emphasized the growing role of transshipment cargo, especially containerized goods destined for other African ports, highlighting Nigeria’s emergence as a regional hub and boosting revenue for the NPA.

“The growth in exports and transshipment underscores the success of reforms aimed at reducing oil dependence while enhancing Nigerian ports’ competitiveness,” maritime analysts said.

Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed confidence that ongoing port modernization and the National Single Window system will further drive growth. Planned upgrades include berth deepening, quay rehabilitation, expanded cargo-handling capacity, and advanced digital solutions to improve vessel turnaround times, safety, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.

The 2025 NPA report positions Lekki Port and the broader port network as central to Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy, regional trade prominence, and integration into global supply chains.