Nigeria’s ports recorded a sharp rise in large‑vessel traffic and cargo volumes in the first quarter, signaling growing confidence among international shippers and the early impact of ongoing maritime reforms.
Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for ocean‑going vessels increased 19.5 % to 46.75 million, reflecting a shift toward higher‑capacity ships at Nigerian terminals. Total cargo throughput – excluding crude‑oil terminals – grew 11.6 % year‑on‑year to 32.38 million metric tonnes, while outward cargo rose 23.7 % to 14.13 million tonnes.
The most striking figures came from container and vehicle traffic. Outbound laden containers jumped 67.6 % to 102,803 TEUs, and vehicle units handled surged 67 % to 58,870, up from 35,262 in the same period a year earlier. Trans‑shipment container activity also rose sharply, up 83.1 %, underscoring Nigeria’s expanding role as a regional hub.
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) officials attribute the upside to several converging factors. The Lekki Deep Sea Port, now fully operational, has attracted larger ships and boosted efficiency. Ongoing upgrades at Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port – part of a US$1 billion infrastructure programme – are improving berth productivity and reducing turnaround times. Parallel investments are under way at Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar to ensure balanced development across the coastline.
Digitalisation is a further driver. The rollout of a Port Community System and a National Single Window platform aims to streamline cargo clearance, cut delays and enhance transparency. Complementary projects – rail links, inland dry ports, barging operations and dedicated export corridors – are intended to ease congestion and improve cargo evacuation.
Security improvements have also helped. Nigeria has gone more than four years without a recorded piracy incident, a result of the Deep Blue Programme and upgraded maritime surveillance, which together have boosted the sector’s risk profile.
Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the NPA, said the performance “demonstrates a transition toward a more cargo‑intensive, commercially dynamic maritime ecosystem.” He warned, however, that despite handling roughly a quarter of West Africa’s cargo, Nigeria accounts for over 60 % of the region’s GDP, indicating significant untapped potential.
The government’s broader strategy – under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration – focuses on positioning Nigeria as a logistics gateway for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By modernising port infrastructure, embracing digital tools and strengthening security, the country aims to capture a larger share of intra‑African trade flows.
If the current reform trajectory continues, Nigeria’s ports could emerge as a leading maritime hub in Africa, facilitating trade, attracting investment and supporting broader economic growth across the continent.
