Driven by ongoing port reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and rising export activity, the maritime sector posted strong growth in the first quarter of 2026 as the Nigerian Ports Authority recorded a 19.5 per cent increase in Gross Registered Tonnage to 46.75 million and cargo throughput of 32.38 million metric tons, reinforcing the country’s ambition to position its ports as a major trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area, Sunday Ehigiator writes

President Bola Tinubu has been praised across the world for his bold reforms aimed at turning the Nigerian economy around. The bold reforms are now yielding results as Nigeria’s maritime sector posted strong growth in the first quarter of 2026 as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recorded higher cargo throughput, rising export activity, and increased vessel tonnage across the nation’s ports.

Despite fewer vessel calls, Gross Registered Tonnage for ocean-going vessels rose by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million, reflecting a shift toward larger and more efficient ships, while stronger cargo and container exports reinforced the growing role of Nigerian ports in driving trade and economic activity.

The strong first-quarter performance did not emerge in isolation. Rather, it reflects the early outcomes of Nigeria’s broader maritime reform agenda under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is increasingly focused on repositioning the country’s ports to compete aggressively under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Transformation

At the centre of that strategy is a coordinated effort to modernise port infrastructure, improve cargo handling efficiency, deepen digital transformation, strengthen maritime security, and position Nigeria as the leading maritime logistics hub in West Africa.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, had recently warned that Nigeria risks losing regional cargo opportunities if its ports fail to match the speed, efficiency, and reliability required in a rapidly integrating African market.

“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,” Dantsoho said while addressing stakeholders in Lagos.

For decades, Nigeria’s ports handled the bulk of the country’s international trade but struggled with congestion, poor infrastructure, operational inefficiencies, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that weakened competitiveness and diverted cargo traffic to neighbouring countries.

Despite accounting for over 60 per cent of West Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Nigeria currently handles only about 25 per cent of the region’s cargo traffic; a disparity Dantsoho described as evidence that the country has not fully optimised its maritime potential.

Under AfCFTA, however, the competition for cargo dominance across Africa is expected to intensify, making efficiency and infrastructure increasingly critical.

“Nigeria’s geographical advantage alone is no longer sufficient,” Dantsoho said. “Efficiency, speed, innovation and reliability will define leadership in this new era.”

Necessary Reforms

That urgency appears to be shaping ongoing reforms within the maritime sector. Early in the Tinubu administration, the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Adegboyega Oyetola signalled a major institutional shift designed to consolidate maritime governance and unlock what the government estimates to be a $3 trillion blue economy opportunity.

Since then, the administration has pursued an aggressive mix of policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, financing initiatives, and digitalisation programmes aimed at transforming the country’s maritime architecture.

The improving operational figures recorded in Q1 2026 suggest some of those reforms may already be beginning to yield results.

Bigger Ships Signal Changing Port Dynamics

Perhaps the clearest sign of transformation is the sharp rise in Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) recorded during the quarter. Although Nigerian ports handled 1,092 ocean-going vessels in Q1 2026, slightly lower than the 1,102 vessels recorded during the same period in 2025, vessel tonnage surged significantly from 39.11 million GRT to 46.75 million GRT.

The implication is clear: Nigerian ports are increasingly attracting larger-capacity vessels capable of moving greater cargo volumes more efficiently. This shift aligns with global maritime trends where ports compete not merely on the number of ships they receive, but on their ability to accommodate deeper-draft vessels, improve turnaround efficiency, and support larger-scale cargo operations. The emergence of the Lekki Deep Sea Port is playing an increasingly important role in that transition. The report specifically linked the rise in vessel tonnage partly to the impact of Lekki Port, which has significantly expanded Nigeria’s ability to receive larger international vessels. The development also reflects improved economies of scale, stronger shipping line confidence, and growing cargo demand. Across the continent, deep seaports are becoming critical infrastructure in the race for AfCFTA-related trade flows. Countries capable of handling larger vessels efficiently are likely to capture a greater share of intra-African commerce as regional trade barriers continue to fall. Nigeria’s maritime authorities appear determined not to be left behind.

Cargo Throughput Reflects Expanding Trade Activity

Beyond vessel tonnage, cargo throughput figures further demonstrate the growing scale of maritime trade activity. Total cargo throughput excluding crude oil terminals rose by 11.6 per cent to 32.38 million metric tons during Q1 2026, compared with 29.02 million metric tons during the corresponding period of 2025. The increase reflects rising trade volumes, stronger import and export activity, improved port productivity, and sustained demand for maritime services. Import cargo traffic rose moderately by 3.3 per cent to 18.11 million metric tons, supported by continued demand for industrial inputs, machinery, consumer goods, and raw materials. But the more striking growth came from export cargo movement. Outward cargo traffic surged by 23.7 per cent to 14.13 million metric tons, highlighting stronger export competitiveness and deeper integration into regional and international supply chains. For a country seeking to reduce dependence on oil revenues, the rise in exports through Nigerian ports carries major economic significance. The report linked the increase to expanding industrial and agricultural production, improved trade facilitation, and stronger export logistics. These developments align closely with the federal government’s broader economic diversification strategy and AfCFTA ambitions. If sustained, stronger export performance could help strengthen foreign exchange earnings, stimulate local production, and improve Nigeria’s position within continental trade networks.

Container Exports Record Exceptional Growth

Container operations during the quarter also revealed important shifts within Nigeria’s trade ecosystem. Although total container traffic remained largely stable at 541,229 TEUs, outbound container movement expanded dramatically. Outward laden container traffic jumped from 61,332 TEUs in Q1 2025 to 102,803 TEUs in Q1 2026, representing an extraordinary growth of 67.6 per cent. Compared with the previous quarter, outbound container traffic more than doubled. The surge reflects growing expansion in containerised exports and improving terminal efficiency. Containerised exports are particularly important because they are often associated with processed goods, manufactured products, and higher-value agricultural exports. Growth in this segment, therefore, suggests gradual strengthening of Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. The report also highlighted a major decline in empty container traffic, which dropped by 44.7 per cent. Operationally, this is considered positive because it indicates improved container utilisation and more balanced cargo flows. Inward laden container traffic also increased by 5.2 per cent during the quarter, reflecting continued import demand across multiple sectors.

Vehicle Traffic Surges

Another major highlight was the sharp increase in vehicle traffic across Nigerian ports. Vehicle handling rose by 67 per cent to 58,870 units during Q1 2026, compared with 35,262 units recorded during the same period in 2025. Compared with Q4 2025, vehicle traffic rose even more sharply by 76.9 per cent. The growth reflects increasing commercial and automotive logistics activity within the economy and underscores the expanding role of ports in supporting domestic commerce and supply chains.

Transhipment and Regional Connectivity

The report also revealed growing transhipment activity, further reinforcing Nigeria’s emerging regional maritime relevance.Transhipment container traffic increased by 83.1 per cent during the quarter.Transhipment operations occur when cargo arriving at one port is transferred to another vessel for onward shipment to different destinations. As Nigerian ports improve operational efficiency and cargo capacity, the country could increasingly position itself as a regional cargo redistribution hub within West Africa. This possibility is central to the government’s broader maritime vision under AfCFTA.

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