NPA 2025 report reveals export-led commerce enlargement, indicators {economic} reforms’ progress
Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in exercise in 2025, pushed by elevated cargo throughput, rising container visitors, and a rising export footprint — a growth that underscores the Federal Authorities’s dedication to {economic} diversification, in response to the 2025 Operational Efficiency Report launched by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The report revealed that whole cargo throughput surged by 24.8 p.c rising from roughly 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.
The report emphasised that the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the expansion as probably the most important annual will increase in Nigeria’s maritime historical past, noting that the milestone strengthens the nation’s place as a extra aggressive and strategic participant in regional and international commerce.
Whereas imports proceed to dominate total cargo visitors, the report highlights a gentle rise in outward commerce, with exports accounting for 39.0 p.c of whole cargo throughput. Inward visitors represented 59.2 p.c, and transshipment contributed 1.8 p.c. Analysts view the expansion in export volumes as a direct validation of the Federal Authorities’s {economic} diversification initiatives, aimed toward lowering dependence on crude oil and selling non-oil sector exports.
Containerized cargo, a key indicator of export commerce exercise, grew considerably. Whole container visitors elevated by 25.7 p.c, surpassing 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equal Models (TEUs). Of this, export containers grew by 3.1 p.c, whereas import-laden containers surged by 32.8 p.c. The report additionally famous a exceptional 205.8 p.c enhance in transshipment containers, signaling Nigeria’s emergence as a pivotal regional logistics and commerce hub.
The report recognized Lekki Port because the main port in Nigeria, dealing with 40.6 p.c of the nation’s whole cargo throughput. Onne Port adopted with 19.1 p.c, and Apapa Port dealt with 16.7 p.c.
Along with quantity, Lekki Port attracted the most important vessels, with a mean Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, barely greater than Onne Port at 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island Port have acquired ships averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, whereas Delta Ports dealt with vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.
The report underscores a structural shift in vessel visitors: though Tin Can Island Port recorded the very best frequency of ship arrivals accounting for 22.7 p.c of whole ship calls Lekki and Onne are more and more receiving the business’s “heavyweight” vessels, enhancing Nigeria’s capability to deal with bigger, extra beneficial cargoes.
Total, whole ship calls rose by practically 12 p.c to 4,477 vessels, reflecting broad-based progress throughout all operational metrics. Liquid bulk cargo, together with gas and chemical compounds, remained the dominant commodity at 54.7 p.c, whereas containerized cargo accounted for twenty-four p.c. Analysts be aware that the rising dimension and class of vessel visitors, coupled with container progress, factors to a maritime sector steadily aligning with international transport requirements.
The report additionally highlights the rising significance of transshipment cargo, notably for containerized items destined for different West and Central African ports. The 205.8 p.c surge in transshipment containers positions Nigeria as a strategic regional hub, attracting worldwide transport traces and rising income for the Nigerian Ports Authority.
“This can be a pivotal second for Nigeria’s commerce ecosystem,” maritime analysts stated. “The expansion in exports and transshipment displays the success of coverage reforms aimed toward lowering reliance on oil revenues, whereas enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in regional commerce.”