Nigeria’s maritime sector achieved a major milestone in 2025, recording a 24.8 per cent increase in total cargo throughput, rising from approximately 103.6 million metric tonnes in 2024 to 129.3 million metric tonnes last year.
The figure, highlighted in the 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and signed by NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, represents one of the most significant growth spurts in the nation’s maritime history, strengthening Nigeria’s position in regional and global trade.
The report credits ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades including port modernisation programmes and digital initiatives such as the National Single Window for driving efficiency and supporting future expansion across the sector.
“This growth reflects a strong recovery and dynamism in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, positioning our ports as key facilitators of commerce and economic development in 2026 and beyond,” the report noted.
Economists and trade analysts suggest the surge validates the Federal Government’s economic diversification strategy, particularly its focus on expanding non-oil exports and enhancing logistics competitiveness at Nigerian ports.
The maritime sector’s performance aligns with broader economic optimism, following a record high in Nigeria’s business confidence earlier in February 2026. The Business Confidence Index (BCI) climbed to 117.2 points from 105.8 in January, signalling robust expansionary momentum across the economy, according to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
