Nigerian ports saw a sharp rise in cargo volumes in 2025, with the newly developed Lekki Port handling the largest share, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reported.
Total cargo throughput across the country’s ports reached 129.3 million tons, up from 103.6 million tons in 2024, representing a 24.8 percent year-on-year increase. Imports continued to dominate the traffic, accounting for 59.2 percent of cargo handled, while exports made up 39 percent. Transshipment cargo accounted for the remaining 1.8 percent.
Container traffic showed a similar upward trend, climbing 25.7 percent to more than 2.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Import containers drove the growth with a 32.8 percent increase, while export containers recorded a modest 3.1 percent rise. Transshipment containers surged 205.8 percent, highlighting Nigeria’s growing role as a regional maritime hub.
By type of cargo, bulk goods remained dominant, representing 54.7 percent of total traffic, while containerized freight accounted for 24 percent. The remaining cargo consisted of general cargo and vehicles.
Lekki Port in Lagos emerged as the country’s leading hub, handling 40.6 percent of total cargo, reflecting its growing importance in Nigeria’s maritime trade. The ports of Onne and Apapa followed with 19.1 percent and 16.7 percent, respectively. Analysts noted that Lekki’s modern facilities, deep-water berths, and efficient logistics have attracted higher volumes of cargo and shipping lines, positioning it as a key gateway for both imports and exports.
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Maritime activity intensified overall, with the number of ship calls rising nearly 12 percent to 4,477, a sign of stronger integration into international shipping networks. The increase underscores Nigeria’s ambition to expand its logistics and trade capacity, especially in West Africa’s largest economy.
However, the growth is placing pressure on older port infrastructure. Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, historically affected by congestion, could face rising strain if planned expansion and modernization projects fail to keep pace with the traffic surge. Experts warn that delays and operational bottlenecks at these ports could undermine the efficiency gains achieved at newer facilities like Lekki.
The NPA has stressed the need for continuous investment in port infrastructure, including deepening channels, modernizing cargo handling equipment, and digitalizing customs procedures, to maintain competitiveness.
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Nigeria’s maritime sector has been a focal point of government economic policy, aiming to reduce dependence on road transport for cargo movement, attract foreign investment, and promote regional trade integration. The sharp rise in containerized imports indicates growing domestic demand, while the increase in transshipment traffic reflects Nigeria’s strategic position as a regional shipping hub linking West and Central Africa.
The performance of Lekki Port signals a structural shift in the country’s port landscape, with modern deep-water facilities gradually surpassing older ports in throughput and operational efficiency. Government officials have highlighted plans to further expand Lekki’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels and integrate additional logistics services, ensuring that the port continues to play a central role in Nigeria’s trade strategy.
With continued growth in both cargo volumes and ship calls, Nigeria’s port sector is poised to remain a critical driver of economic activity, supporting trade, job creation, and regional connectivity in the coming years.
Total throughput at Lekki, Onne, and Apapa combined accounted for 76.4 percent of all Nigerian port traffic, underscoring the concentration of cargo handling in major ports and highlighting the importance of managing congestion and infrastructure development effectively.
As 2026 begins, port authorities and shipping stakeholders are expected to monitor infrastructure pressures closely while exploring technological and operational solutions to sustain growth and efficiency in the maritime sector.
