Lekki Port leads cargo throughput growth; transshipment boom signals Nigeria’s rise as regional trade hub…
Nigeria’s maritime industry recorded an unprecedented boost in 2025, driven by rising cargo volumes, increased container traffic, and a growing export footprint, according to the 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Total cargo throughput jumped 24.8 per cent, climbing from roughly 103.6 million metric tonnes in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tonnes last year. The NPA’s Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as one of the most significant annual increases in the country’s maritime history, strengthening Nigeria’s position in regional and global trade.
Although imports continued to dominate cargo traffic, exports accounted for 39 per cent of total throughput, with inward traffic at 59.2 per cent and transshipment contributing 1.8 per cent. Analysts noted that rising export volumes validate the Federal Government’s push to diversify the economy away from crude oil and promote non-oil sector exports.
Containerised cargo, a key indicator of trade activity, also surged. Total container traffic rose 25.7 per cent, surpassing 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Exports grew 3.1 per cent, while imports surged 32.8 per cent. Transshipment containers experienced an eye-catching 205.8 per cent increase, signalling Nigeria’s emergence as a major regional logistics hub.
Lekki Port led in cargo handling, managing 40.6 per cent of Nigeria’s total throughput, followed by Onne Port at 19.1 per cent and Apapa Port at 16.7 per cent. Lekki also attracted the largest vessels, with an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port’s 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island ports recorded averages of 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.
The report highlighted a structural shift in vessel traffic: although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest number of ship arrivals at 22.7 per cent of total calls, Lekki and Onne ports increasingly accommodate larger, “heavyweight” vessels, boosting Nigeria’s ability to manage high-value and oversized cargo. Overall ship calls rose nearly 12 per cent to 4,477 vessels, reflecting broad-based growth across operational metrics.
Liquid bulk cargo, including fuel and chemicals, remained the largest commodity at 54.7 per cent, with containerised cargo at 24 per cent. Analysts said the growing scale and sophistication of vessel traffic, combined with rising container throughput, indicate Nigeria’s maritime sector is increasingly aligning with global shipping standards.
Transshipment cargo, particularly containerised goods destined for West and Central African ports, also gained prominence. The 205.8 per cent rise in transshipment containers positions Nigeria as a strategic regional hub, attracting international shipping lines and boosting revenue for the NPA.
The 2025 Operational Performance Report signals a transformative phase in the maritime sector, with export-led growth, rising container traffic, and Lekki Port’s strategic role illustrating both volume and diversification in port operations.
“This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem,” maritime analysts said. “The growth in exports and transshipment reflects the success of policy reforms aimed at reducing oil dependency while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.”
Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed confidence that future growth will be powered by the Federal Government-approved port modernisation programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system. The modernisation project aims to overhaul ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, expand cargo-handling capacity, and integrate advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s ports, improving vessel turnaround, reducing dwell times, enhancing safety, and boosting overall operational efficiency.
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