Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in activity in 2025, with total cargo throughput rising by 24.8 percent, according to the 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.
The report shows that cargo throughput increased from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025, marking one of the most significant annual increases in the country’s maritime history.
Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as a milestone that strengthens Nigeria’s position as a competitive and strategic player in regional and global trade.
While imports still account for the larger share of cargo traffic, exports made notable gains, representing 39 percent of total throughput. Inward cargo accounted for 59.2 percent, while transshipment contributed 1.8 percent.
Analysts say the steady rise in export volumes validates the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda aimed at reducing reliance on crude oil and promoting non-oil exports.
Container traffic, a key indicator of trade activity, rose by 25.7 percent to over 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
Export containers increased by 3.1 percent, while import-laden containers surged by 32.8 percent. Notably, transshipment containers recorded a dramatic 205.8 percent increase, signaling Nigeria’s growing emergence as a regional logistics hub.
The report identifies Lekki Port as the leading port in the country, accounting for 40.6 percent of total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 percent, while Apapa Port handled 16.7 percent.
In terms of vessel capacity, Lekki Port also received the largest ships, with an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port’s 53,022 GRT.
Tin Can Island Port and Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 36,909 GRT and 17,414 GRT respectively. However, Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest number of ship calls, accounting for 22.7 percent of total arrivals.
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 containerized cargo accounted for 24 percent.
The report highlights a structural shift in vessel traffic patterns, with Lekki and Onne increasingly attracting larger “heavyweight” vessels, enhancing Nigeria’s ability to handle higher-value and more sophisticated cargo.
Maritime analysts described the development as a transformative phase for the industry, noting that export growth and rising transshipment volumes demonstrate the impact of policy reforms designed to boost competitiveness and deepen regional trade integration.
Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed optimism that further gains will be driven by the Federal Government–approved port modernization programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system.
The modernization initiative is expected to upgrade ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, rehabilitate quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions to improve turnaround time, reduce dwell time, and enhance overall efficiency across Nigeria’s port network.
The 2025 NPA Operational Performance Report positions Nigeria’s ports, particularly Lekki Port, at the center of the country’s economic diversification strategy and expanding role in global maritime trade.
