The Federal Government’s maritime sector reforms are showing real results, with Nigerian ports recording a strong 12.3% jump in cargo throughput in the second quarter of 2026 — alongside notable gains in vessel, container, and vehicle traffic.

The latest figures come from the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026, which paints a picture of broad-based growth across all major port activity indicators.

The Numbers at a Glance

Total cargo throughput climbed from 31.8 million metric tonnes in Q2 2025 to 35.7 million metric tonnes in Q2 2026. The NPA attributed the uptick to sustained growth in port activities, describing it as evidence of the resilience of Nigerian ports and their capacity to facilitate trade.

Here’s how the key metrics broke down:

• Cargo mix: Inward cargo accounted for 56.8% of total throughput, while outward cargo made up 41.9%. Transshipment cargo added 488,364 metric tonnes (about 1.4%).
• Outward cargo surges: Exports were the standout performer, growing a robust 22% — a strong signal of improving export activity — compared with a 7.7% rise in inward cargo.
• Vessel traffic up 14.4%: Ocean-going vessel calls rose from 1,050 to 1,201, with Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) climbing 22.2% to 49.95 million tonnes.
• Service boat boom: Activity here jumped 22.3%, with associated GRT surging an impressive 62.4%.
• Container traffic up 11.3%: Reaching 602,392 TEUs, with inward laden containers up 6.3%. Notably, transshipment container traffic emerged at 29,038 TEUs — compared with zero recorded in Q2 2025.
• Vehicle traffic grows 18.3%: With 44,147 units handled, driven largely by improved exchange-rate stability during the period.

The emergence of transshipment container traffic is perhaps the most strategically significant development. The NPA sees this as a clear sign that Nigeria could be positioning itself as a regional maritime hub, capable of serving as a major transshipment centre for West Africa.

The authority stressed that fully seizing this opportunity would require the ongoing port modernisation programme, sustained infrastructure investment, and deeper commercial engagement with shipping lines.

NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, credited the performance to a focused drive on infrastructure renewal, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. Looking ahead, he outlined the authority’s core priorities for 2026 and beyond:

• Port modernisation: Groundbreaking on upgrade projects is expected imminently, with the ageing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports at the centre of the agenda after decades of service.
• Deep-sea developments: Support for the Lekki and Badagry deep-sea port projects to accommodate larger vessels, alongside efforts to revitalise the Eastern Ports and ease pressure on Lagos facilities.
• Digital trade integration: Full implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) to streamline operations and cut manual bottlenecks — complementing the National Single Window that went live in Q1 2026.
• Security and collaboration: Technology-driven security measures to support 24-hour port operations, plus stronger cooperation with customs agents and stakeholders to tackle congestion and speed up cargo evacuation.

The Bigger Picture

The combined reforms are ultimately aimed at a single goal: positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s trade nerve centre. If the current trajectory holds, the expected dividends include faster port operations, lower logistics costs, higher trade volumes, and sharper export competitiveness.

With outward cargo and transshipment both on the rise and modernisation projects moving to the ground phase, the numbers suggest Nigerian ports may finally be shedding their reputation for bottlenecks — and stepping up as a genuine regional trade engine.