Nigeria recorded a strong boost in export-driven trade in 2025, making up 39 percent of total cargo handled at the nation’s ports. This was revealed in the 2025 Operational Performance Report by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Total cargo throughput jumped by 24.8 percent, increasing from 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.
Despite the export growth, imports still dominated port activities with 59.2 percent of inward cargo traffic. Container movement, which reflects trade activity, also rose by 25.7 percent to more than 2.1 million TEUs. Export containers grew modestly by 3.1 percent, while import-filled containers recorded a sharp rise of 32.8 percent.
Among the ports, Lekki received the biggest ships with an average GRT of 55,712, followed closely by Onne Port. Apapa and Tin Can Island ports handled medium-sized vessels, while Delta Ports received smaller ships. Tin Can Island recorded the highest number of ship arrivals, accounting for 22.7 percent of total calls.
NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, expressed optimism about future growth. He said the Federal Government’s port modernization plan and the National Single Window system will further improve efficiency. The authority believes these reforms will strengthen Nigeria’s position in global trade.
