Lekki Port has emerged as the driving force behind Nigeria’s maritime expansion, spearheading a 24.8 percent increase in total cargo throughput in 2025, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Operational Performance Report.
The report shows that Nigeria’s ports handled over 129.3 million metric tons of cargo in 2025, up from approximately 103.6 million metric tons recorded in 2024 — marking one of the most significant annual increases in the nation’s maritime history. At the forefront of this surge is Lekki Port, which accounted for 40.6 per cent of the country’s total cargo throughput, the highest share among all Nigerian ports.
Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as a major milestone that strengthens Nigeria’s position as a competitive and strategic player in regional and global trade. He noted that Lekki Port’s capacity to attract larger vessels and handle higher cargo volumes reflects the success of ongoing reforms and infrastructure investments.
While imports still account for the larger share of cargo movement, the report highlights a steady rise in outward trade. Exports represented 39.0 per cent of total cargo throughput, inward traffic accounted for 59.2 per cent, and transshipment contributed 1.8 per cent. Analysts say the upward trajectory in export volumes validates the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda aimed at promoting non-oil exports and reducing dependence on crude oil revenues.
Containerised cargo — widely regarded as a key indicator of trade dynamism — grew by 25.7 per cent to surpass 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Export containers increased by 3.1 percent, while import-laden containers surged by 32.8 per cent. Most striking was the 205.8 percent jump in transshipment containers, underscoring Nigeria’s emergence as a regional logistics and redistribution hub.
Beyond volume leadership, Lekki Port also attracted the largest vessels, recording an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly ahead of Onne Port’s 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports received vessels averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT respectively, while Delta Ports handled ships averaging 17,414 GRT.
Although Tin Can Island recorded the highest number of ship calls at 22.7 percent of total arrivals, Lekki and Onne are increasingly handling larger “heavyweight” vessels, signaling a structural shift toward higher-value and more complex cargo operations.
Overall ship calls rose by nearly 12 percent to 4,477 vessels, reflecting broad-based operational growth. Liquid bulk cargo — including fuel and chemicals — remained dominant at 54.7 percent of total cargo, while containerised cargo accounted for 24 per cent.
The dramatic rise in transshipment traffic, particularly containerized goods bound for other West and Central African ports, further strengthens Nigeria’s bid to become a regional maritime hub and boosts revenue prospects for the NPA.
Maritime analysts describe the 2025 performance as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, noting that export growth and expanding transshipment volumes validate ongoing policy reforms aimed at enhancing port competitiveness and diversifying the economy.
Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed confidence that the growth momentum will be sustained through the federal government–approved port modernisation programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system.
The comprehensive modernisation initiative is designed to upgrade ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, rehabilitate quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across the port network. The project is expected to improve vessel turnaround time, reduce cargo dwell time, enhance safety standards, and significantly boost operational efficiency.
With Lekki Port consolidating its leadership, rising export volumes, larger vessel traffic, and expanding regional influence, the 2025 NPA report positions Nigeria’s ports at the heart of the country’s economic diversification strategy and growing global maritime ambitions.