Nigeria maritime sector sees high port volume amid readiness concerns

Nigeria accounted for 46 percent of all port calls in the Gulf of Guinea in 2025, according to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). During a meeting in Lagos, NIMASA Director General Dayo Mobereola reported that 4,477 vessels called at Nigerian seaports in 2025, contributing to a rise in cargo throughput from 103.6 million metric tonnes in 2024 to 129.3 million metric tonnes in 2025.

Despite this high volume, maritime experts have raised concerns regarding the country's readiness for future technological shifts. At the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) summit, Capt. Olugbenga Abidoye warned that Nigerian ports may struggle to accommodate Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) without urgent improvements to digital systems, physical infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. He noted that Nigeria scored 1.9 out of five in a port-readiness assessment.

Additional challenges cited include aging infrastructure, shallow drafts, congestion, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Experts have proposed a port modernization program valued at approximately $1 billion to upgrade facilities in Apapa, Tin Can Island, Warri, Onne, and Calabar to maintain regional competitiveness.