Nigeria’s seaports handled significantly more cargo in 2025, with total throughput jumping by nearly a quarter compared to the previous year, according to the latest performance report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The figures, as obtained by ENigeria Newspaper, show that cargo volumes increased by 24.8 percent, rising from about 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025. The surge marks one of the strongest annual expansions recorded in the country’s maritime sector.
NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the development as a milestone that strengthens Nigeria’s standing in regional and international trade. He said the growth reflects improving competitiveness and expanding commercial activity across the port system.
Although imports still account for the larger share of cargo movement, exports are steadily gaining ground. Outbound shipments represented 39 percent of total throughput, while imports made up 59.2 percent and transshipment cargo accounted for 1.8 percent. Analysts say the export growth supports federal efforts to diversify the economy beyond crude oil.
Container traffic, widely viewed as a barometer for trade performance, also recorded strong gains. Total container volume rose by 25.7 percent to exceed 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Import-laden containers increased by 32.8 percent, export containers grew by 3.1 percent, while transshipment containers soared by 205.8 percent, underscoring Nigeria’s expanding role as a regional logistics hub.
Port performance data show that Lekki Port led in cargo handling, accounting for 40.6 percent of total throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 percent, while Apapa Port managed 16.7 percent. Lekki also received the largest vessels on average, recording a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly above Onne’s 53,022 GRT.
Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest number of ship calls at 22.7 percent of total arrivals, even as Lekki and Onne increasingly attracted larger vessels capable of carrying higher-value cargo. Overall ship traffic rose by nearly 12 percent to 4,477 vessels.
Liquid bulk cargo, including petroleum products and chemicals, remained the dominant commodity, accounting for 54.7 percent of throughput, while containerized goods represented 24 percent.
Dantsoho expressed optimism that further growth will be driven by the Federal Government’s port modernization programme and the rollout of the National Single Window system.
