Nigeria is fast emerging as a leading transshipment centre for maritime and logistics trade among her peers in West and Central Africa region.
This claim is validated by 205.8percent increase in transshipment cargo, particularly for containerized shipments destined for West and Central African ports.
It is further highlighted by Nigeria’s maritime sector recording a historic surge in activity in 2025, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint — a development that underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification, according to the 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Among the ports in the region, Nigeria’s Lekki Deep‑Sea Port now handles the biggest transshipment flow, accounting for 40 per cent of the nation’s cargo throughput in
2025 performance review, acting as a hub that ships cargo
on to Ghana, Benin (Cotonou) and other neighbors.
Ghana’s Tema Port is West Africa’s largest public container terminal, handling 1.3‑1.5 million two- foots equivalent units(TEUs) per year, but much of its volume is direct import/export, not regional transshipment.
Benin’s Cotonou Port is growing, with 2.5 million tonnes handled as at Q3 2024, yet remains smaller than Lekki’s transshipment operations, while Lome Port in Togo remains the busiest transshipment gateway in the region.
But Nigeria’s Lekki Port currently leads in transshipment volume among the four regional ports.
The NPA 2025 Performance Report further revealed that total ship calls rose by almost 12 percent to 4,477 vessels, reflecting broad-based growth across all operational metrics.
Liquid bulk cargo, including fuel and chemicals, remained the dominant commodity at 54.7 per cent, while containerized cargo accounted for 24 per cent.
The report stated that cargo throughput surged by 24.8percent rising from approximately 103.6million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3million metric tons in 2025.
While imports continue to dominate overall cargo traffic, the report highlights a steady rise in outward trade, with exports accounting for 39.0 per cent of total cargo throughput. Inward traffic represented 59.2 per cent, and transshipment contributed 1.8percent.
The growth in export volumes is viewed as a validation of the Federal Government’s sustained economic diversification initiatives, aimed at reducing dependence on crude oil and promoting non-oil sector exports.
Containerized cargo, grew significantly as total container traffic increased by 25.7 percent, surpassing 2.1million TEUs. Of this, export container grew by 3.1percent,while import-laden containers surged by 32.8 percent.
The report emphasized that the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history, noting that the milestone strengthens the country’s position as a more competitive and strategic player in regional and global trade.
The report identified Lekki Port as the leading port in Nigeria, handling 40.6 percent of the nation’s total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 percent, and Apapa Port handled 16.7 percent.
In addition to volume, Lekki Port attracted the largest vessels, with an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port at 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island Port received ships averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.
The report underscores a structural shift in vessel traffic: although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship arrivals accounting for 22.7 percent of total ship calls Lekki and Onne are increasingly receiving the industry’s “heavyweight” vessels, enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to handle larger, more valuable cargoes.
Export-led growth, rising container traffic, and the strategic role of Lekki Port illustrate that the nation is not only handling more cargo but is also diversifying the type of goods moving through its ports.
“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 reliance on oil revenues, while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in regional trade.”
With the nation’s ports showing resilience and dynamism, the report reinforces the Federal Government’s efforts to expand non-oil exports, attract investment into port infrastructure, and integrate Nigeria more fully into global supply chains.
Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed confidence that the next phase of growth will be driven by the Federal Government–approved bold port modernization programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system.
The comprehensive port modernization project is designed to overhaul ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, rehabilitate quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s port network.
The initiative is expected to improve vessel turnaround time, reduce cargo dwell time, enhance safety standards, and significantly boost operational efficiency across all terminals.
In addition to volume, Lekki Port attracted the largest vessels, with an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port at 53,022 GRT.
Apapa and Tin Can Island Port received ships averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.
The report underscores a structural shift in vessel traffic: although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship arrivals accounting for 22.7 percent of total ship calls Lekki and Onne are increasingly receiving the industry’s “heavyweight” vessels, enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to handle larger, more valuable cargoes.
“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 reliance on oil revenues, while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in regional trade.”
With the nation’s ports showing resilience and dynamism, the report reinforces the Federal Government’s efforts to expand non-oil exports, attract investment into port infrastructure, and integrate Nigeria more fully into global supply chains.
As Nigeria continues to welcome larger vessels and diversify its cargo base, the 2025 NPA report positions Lekki Port and the broader port network as central to the country’s economic diversification strategy, regional trade prominence, and global maritime ambitions.
