Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has handled 58,870 units of vehicles during the quarter of 2026, leading to 67 per cent increase from 35,262 units in the same period last year.
Also, transshipment containers grew by 83.1 per cent, reinforcing Nigeria’s increasing relevance within regional maritime trade and logistics networks.
The authority in its Q1 report said that total cargo throughput rose to 32.38 million metric tonnes, reflecting rising trade activities and improved port efficiency.
According to the Q1 2026 operational performance review released the authority, total cargo throughput excluding crude oil terminals increased by 11.6 per cent from 29.02 million metric tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The report also showed that Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for ocean-going vessels climbed by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million, indicating increased deployment of larger-capacity vessels across Nigerian ports.
The authority said that the development reflects growing confidence by international shipping lines in Nigerian ports, supported by ongoing reforms, expanding trade demand, and the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
It was revealed that the strong performance comes amid intensified efforts by the Federal Government to modernise port infrastructure, improve cargo handling efficiency and position Nigeria as a regional trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
The Managing Director of the authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho said at a forum in Lagos that efficiency, innovation, speed and reliability would determine which countries dominate cargo flows on the continent.
He noted that time had come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources, saying that the country’s port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth.
The review showed that outward cargo traffic recorded one of the strongest performances during the quarter, rising by 23.7 per cent to 14.13 million metric tonnes, driven by stronger export activities and increasing integration into regional and global supply chains.
Outward laden container traffic also rose sharply by 67.6 per cent to 102,803 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) of containers from 61,332 TEUs in Q1 2025, a development linked to improved export logistics and terminal efficiency.
