Nigeria’s first deep-sea port has restarted its transshipment cargo operations following a major facility upgrade, marking a key move in the country’s efforts to become a leading force in West African maritime logistics.
This step is part of a broader push to attract cargo that currently passes through neighbouring countries like Ghana, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, which have long served as transshipment points for goods headed to Nigeria.
The port, which started commercial activities in 2023, now features advanced infrastructure, including deep berths, automated container handling systems, and a strategic location on the Gulf of Guinea.
These upgrades make it capable of handling larger ships and serving both Nigerian and regional markets more efficiently.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday, Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port, said the port is now focused on growing its share of regional cargo traffic.
“We are targeting more international transshipment cargo, especially from neighbouring countries,” he said.
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Odibe explained that while the port has a full capacity of 1.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), it is currently operating at only about 20% due to economic pressures in the region.
“The removal of fuel subsidies and the depreciation of the naira against major foreign currencies have led to a decline in imports,” he added. Despite these challenges, activity at the port is picking up.
Between January and June 2025, Lekki Port handled 222,000 TEUs and is aiming to reach 500,000 by the end of the year, up from 287,000 TEUs in 2024.
This expansion comes at a time when ports across West Africa are competing to attract shipping lines and improve cargo handling.
Ghana and Togo have made major investments in their port infrastructure in recent years, while Nigeria is working to regain its share of regional trade by improving efficiency, and scaling up operations.
The port’s development also supports larger goals tied to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost trade within the continent by improving transport and logistics links.
With full operations now back underway, Lekki Port strengthens Nigeria’s position in West Africa’s growing port economy and adds an important piece to the region’s maritime trade network.
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Image Credit: Tribune Online
