NPA: Federal Government reforms drive trade growth in Q1 2026

Ongoing port reforms, infrastructure upgrades and rising export activity have driven strong growth in the maritime sector during the first quarter of 2026. The Nigerian Ports Authority reported a 19.5 % rise in Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) to 46.75 million and cargo throughput of 32.38 million metric tons, supporting the country’s goal of positioning its ports as a major trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area, Sunday Ehigiator writes.

President Bola Tinubu has received international praise for his bold reforms aimed at revitalising the Nigerian economy. Those reforms are now producing measurable outcomes as Nigeria’s maritime sector posted robust growth in Q1 2026, with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recording higher cargo throughput, increased export activity and greater vessel tonnage across the nation’s ports.

Although the number of vessel calls fell, GRT for ocean‑going vessels rose 19.5 % to 46.75 million, indicating a shift toward larger, more efficient ships. Stronger cargo and container exports further underscored the expanding role of Nigerian ports in driving trade and economic activity.

The strong first‑quarter performance is not an isolated event; it reflects the early results of Nigeria’s broader maritime reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is increasingly focused on repositioning the country’s ports to compete aggressively within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Transformation

Central to this 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.

Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, recently warned that Nigeria could lose regional cargo opportunities if its ports do not 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, inadequate infrastructure, operational inefficiencies and bureaucratic bottlenecks that weakened competitiveness and diverted cargo traffic to neighbouring countries.

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

Under AfCFTA, 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

The urgency is 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 that some of those reforms are already beginning to yield results.

Bigger Ships Signal Changing Port Dynamics

The most evident sign of transformation is the sharp rise in GRT recorded during the quarter. Nigerian ports handled 1,092 ocean‑going vessels in Q1 2026, slightly fewer than the 1,102 vessels recorded in the same period of 2025, while vessel tonnage surged from 39.11 million GRT to 46.75 million GRT.

This indicates that Nigerian ports are increasingly attracting larger‑capacity vessels capable of moving greater cargo volumes more efficiently. The shift aligns with global maritime trends in which ports compete on their ability to accommodate deeper‑draft vessels, improve turnaround times 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 linked the rise in vessel tonnage partly to Lekki Port’s impact, which has expanded Nigeria’s capacity 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 that can handle 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. Total cargo throughput, excluding crude‑oil terminals, rose 11.6 % to 32.38 million metric tons in Q1 2026, up from 29.02 million metric tons in the same 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 grew modestly by 3.3 % to 18.11 million metric tons, supported by continued demand for industrial inputs, machinery, consumer goods and raw materials. Export cargo movement showed more pronounced growth, surging 23.7 % 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 boost 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. Total container traffic remained largely stable at 541,229 TEUs, while outbound container movement expanded dramatically. Outward laden container traffic jumped from 61,332 TEUs in Q1 2025 to 102,803 TEUs in Q1 2026, a growth of 67.6 %. Compared with the previous quarter, outbound container traffic more than doubled. The surge reflects expanding containerised exports and improving terminal efficiency. Containerised exports are often associated with processed goods, manufactured products and higher‑value agricultural exports; growth in this segment therefore suggests a gradual strengthening of Nigeria’s non‑oil export economy.

The report also highlighted a major decline in empty‑container traffic, which fell 44.7 %. Operationally, this is considered positive because it indicates improved container utilisation and more balanced cargo flows. In