The Nigerian Ports (NPA) says sustained government expansion project and infrastructural development drive port growth trajectory in Quarter 1 of 2026
By Innocent Chukwu
The Nigerian maritime sector has recorded strong operational growth in the first quarter of 2026, with Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for ocean-going vessels rising by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million.
The growth, the NPA added, underscored the increasing dominance of larger-capacity ships across the nation’s ports amid ongoing reforms targeted at positioning the country as a regional trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Q1 2026 Operational Performance Review made available to the media by NPA, also indicated that the rise in vessel tonnage signaled improved cargo-carrying efficiency and growing confidence among international shipping lines in Nigerian ports.
The report noted that the development reflected a strategic shift towards larger and more efficient vessels, driven partly by the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and expanding trade demand.
The impressive performance came at a time the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to modernize Nigeria’s port infrastructure, improve cargo handling efficiency and capture a larger share of regional cargo flows under the AfCFTA.
Recently, the Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, said Nigeria’s ports must evolve beyond traditional limitations if the country hoped to compete effectively in a rapidly integrating African market.
While speaking during an industry-related forum in Lagos, the NPS boss said efficiency, speed, innovation and reliability would determine which countries dominate cargo flows in the new continental trade environment.
According to him, “The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources.
” Our port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth.”
Total cargo throughput excluding crude oil terminals also posted strong growth during the quarter, increasing by 11.6 per cent year-on-year to 32.38 million metric tons from 29.02 million metric tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The NPA attributed the growth to rising trade volumes, stronger import and export activities, improved port productivity, and sustained demand for port services.
One of the strongest performances during the period came from outward cargo traffic, which surged by 23.7 per cent to 14.13 million metric tons, reflecting stronger export competitiveness and deeper integration into regional and global supply chains.
Similarly, outward laden container traffic recorded exceptional growth of 67.6 per cent, rising from 61,332 TEUs in Q1 2025 to 102,803 TEUs in Q1 2026, a performance linked to improved export logistics and terminal efficiency.
In the report, vehicle traffic emerged as a major growth area, with total vehicle units handled rising sharply by 67 per cent to 58,870 units during the quarter, compared to 35,262 units in the same period of 2025.
The report further highlighted an 83.1 per cent increase in transshipment container activity, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing relevance within regional maritime trade and logistics networks.
Industry analysts said the increase in transshipment activity is particularly significant because it suggests Nigeria is beginning to attract more regional cargo movement within West Africa, a critical objective as the AfCFTA gradually dismantles trade barriers across the continent.
The maritime reforms being pursued under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have centred on infrastructure upgrades, digitalisation and institutional restructuring aimed at transforming the country into a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.
A major component of the reforms is the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port following the approval and signing of the MOU for $1 Billion overhaul of longstanding infrastructure deficiencies for improved port competitiveness.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has also disclosed that procurement processes were underway for upgrades in Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar ports as part of efforts to ensure balanced port development nationwide.
In addition to physical infrastructure upgrades, the government is pushing an aggressive digitalization agenda through the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window (NSW) platform to streamline cargo clearance processes, reduce delays and improve transparency.
Industry stakeholders believe these initiatives could significantly lower the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports while improving turnaround time and operational efficiency.
The government has also expanded investments in rail integration, inland dry ports, barging operations and export corridors to improve cargo evacuation and reduce congestion around port corridors.
Security improvements within Nigerian waters have further strengthened confidence in the sector.
Nigeria has now recorded over four years of non-piracy incidents, a development attributed to the Deep Blue Project initiative and enhanced maritime surveillance systems.
The NPA said that the Q1 performance demonstrated the maritime sector’s evolvement into a more cargo-intensive and commercially dynamic ecosystem capable of supporting economic growth, trade facilitation and regional connectivity.
Despite the progress, Dantsoho acknowledged that Nigeria still handles only about 25 per cent of cargo traffic in West Africa despite accounting for more than 60 per cent of the region’s GDP, stressing that the country must sustain ongoing reforms to fully optimize its maritime potential. He said, “With sustained commitment to these initiatives, Nigeria’s port system will enter a new phase and emerge as a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.”
Meanwhile, NPA said it has lost one of its valuable staff to the cold hands of death. Paul Texas Erakhifu died early May, 2026 during an active service. A tribute in honour of the deceased by the General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications Department (C&SC), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the Authority said, “From humble beginnings at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) when he was employed on October 17th 1994 (Same month of his birth) as a junior staff on Grade Level 3, Paul Ikherovba Erakhifu popularly known as “Texas” by dint of diligence, determination, discipline and desire rose to the defining role of senior staff Grade Level 13 in a career marked by sterling contributions and indelible impact till his return to his maker on Friday 1st May, 2026.
“Although we cannot determine our appointed date of birth and death, we definitely can determine how we want to be remembered, Texas by his uncommon commitment to his craft (Photography) and his contagious sense of humor which he generously doled out to all who came in contact with him definitely and intentionally set out to remembered for good.
“Looking back, it is plausible that with his popular refrain “you have made my day” and “powerful” which were his default response to most of those who encountered him on and off duty, late Texas was informing us that he would make his days on earth powerful, which he did with grace and honor as can be gleaned from his professional and career trajectory.
“Not one to squander opportunities for career growth and personal development, Texas proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature in the year 2005, Master Degree in International Relations in 2012 and a Master of Science (MSc.) in Mass Communication.
“Poised to get ahead and be equal to the exigencies of his chosen craft Texas trained at the London Film Academy, London Academy of Media, Film & Television and the Texas School of Photography USA in fulfillment of his lifelong admiration for the American city of Texas for which he adopted the sobriquet “TEXAS”.
“The life and times of Texas validated the Biblical truism that “that a man diligent in his business shall stand before kings and not mean men”. Indeed, Texas was diligent in his business and stood before kings both in Nigeria and Internationally as he was widely travelled for high level official engagements in company of various chief executives of the Authority to Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, Japan, Ghana, Togo, Congo, Guinea, South Africa, amongst others.
“Although Texas will be sorely missed and has left a vacuum so wide and difficult to fill, we will take solace in the immortal words of James Wrubel that “no one truly dies who is remembered”. We continue to remember and celebrate his good deeds, exceptional sense of humor and his contribution to the advancement of knowledge evidenced his authorship of two books with which he lighted paths and lightened burdens.”
