NPA Records 24.8% Cargo Surge As Lekki Emerges Nigeria’s Busiest Port

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced a significant 24.8 per cent increase in total cargo throughput for 2025, underscoring what it describes as one of the most remarkable growth phases in the nation’s maritime history.

According to the NPA’s 2025 Operational Performance Report, total cargo throughput rose from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.

The report identified Lekki Port as Nigeria’s leading port, accounting for 40.6 per cent of the nation’s total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 per cent, while Apapa Port handled 16.7 per cent.

Beyond volume, Lekki Port also received the largest vessels, recording 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 average vessel sizes of 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.

Although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship arrivals, accounting for 22.7 per cent of total ship calls, Lekki and Onne are increasingly attracting larger “heavyweight” vessels, strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to handle higher-value cargo.

Imports Dominate, But Exports Gain Ground

While imports continued to dominate cargo traffic, the report highlighted a steady rise in outward trade. Exports accounted for 39.0 per cent of total cargo throughput, while inward traffic represented 59.2 per cent.

Industry analysts described the growth in export volumes as validation of the Federal Government’s economic diversification drive to reduce reliance on crude oil and boost non-oil exports.

Containerised cargo, widely regarded as a key indicator of trade activity, recorded substantial growth. Total container traffic increased by 25.7 per cent, surpassing 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

Import-laden containers surged by 32.8 per cent, while export containers rose by 3.1 per cent. Notably, transhipment containers recorded a remarkable 205.8 per cent increase, positioning Nigeria as an emerging regional logistics hub serving West and Central Africa.

Liquid bulk cargo, including petroleum products and chemicals, remained the dominant commodity category, accounting for 54.7 per cent of total cargo, while containerised cargo represented 24 per cent.

Speaking on the report, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, described the 2025 performance as a historic milestone.

“Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in activity in 2025, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint. This underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification,” he said.

Analysts further noted that the increasing size and sophistication of vessels calling at Nigerian ports indicate gradual alignment with global shipping standards, enhancing competitiveness in regional and international trade.

Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed confidence that the Federal Government-approved port modernisation programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system would power the next phase of growth.

The comprehensive modernisation initiative aims to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, upgrade quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s ports. The reforms are expected to reduce vessel turnaround time, cut cargo dwell time, improve safety standards, and boost overall operational efficiency.

With export-led growth gaining traction and transhipment volumes rising sharply, the 2025 Operational Performance Report signals a transformative shift in Nigeria’s maritime sector, positioning Lekki Port and the broader port network at the centre of the country’s economic diversification and regional trade ambitions.