• Nigerian ports handled 129.3 million tons of cargo in 2025
• Container traffic rose 25.7% to over 2.1 million TEUs
• Lekki Port handled 40.6% of cargo as maritime traffic increased

Nigerian ports handled 129.3 million tons of cargo in 2025, up from 103.6 million tons in 2024, marking a 24.8% increase, according to local media citing the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Exports accounted for 39% of total traffic, while imports continued to dominate cargo volumes with a 59.2% share. Transshipment represented 1.8%. Container traffic also rose sharply, increasing 25.7% to more than 2.1 million TEUs. The growth was mainly driven by a 32.8% rise in import containers, while export volumes increased 3.1%. Transshipment traffic surged 205.8%.

By cargo type, bulk goods remained dominant, accounting for 54.7% of total cargo volumes, while containerized freight represented 24% of total traffic. A breakdown by port shows the growing role of Lekki Port, which alone accounted for 40.6% of cargo handled. The ports of Onne and Apapa followed with 19.1% and 16.7%, respectively.

Maritime activity also intensified. The number of ship calls rose nearly 12% to 4,477, reflecting stronger integration of Nigerian ports into international maritime trade networks. However, the growth is increasing pressure on some infrastructures. Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, already affected by congestion, could face mounting strain if expansion and modernization investments fail to keep pace with traffic growth.

Henoc Dossa