The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says Nigeria’s ports recorded a 24.8 per cent increase in cargo throughput in 2025, rising from 103.6 million metric tonnes in 2024 to 129.3 million metric tonnes.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this in the authority’s 2025 Operational Performance Report, describing the growth as one of the most significant in Nigeria’s maritime history.
He said the development had strengthened Nigeria’s position in regional and global trade, while reflecting renewed dynamism in the country’s maritime sector.
According to the report, ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades contributed to the improved performance, including port modernisation programmes and the implementation of digital platforms such as the National Single Window initiative.
Dantsoho noted that the authority would sustain efforts aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing turnaround time and enhancing ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports.
He added that the performance underscored a strong recovery in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and positioned the ports as critical drivers of economic growth in 2026 and beyond.
Meanwhile, economists and trade analysts said the increase validated the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, particularly initiatives targeted at boosting non-oil exports and strengthening logistics competitiveness.
The development comes amid rising confidence in the business environment. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) recently reported that the Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose to a record 117.2 points in February 2026, up from 105.8 points in January, indicating expansionary momentum across key sectors of the economy.
