By Efe Onodjae 
Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026, as the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, posted a 19.5 per cent increase in vessel tonnage to 46.75 million Gross Registered Tonnage, GRT, while cargo throughput rose to 32.38 million metric tons. 
The Q1 2026 Operational Performance Review released by the NPA showed that the growth in vessel tonnage reflects increasing deployment of larger-capacity vessels across Nigerian ports, driven by improving port efficiency, expanding trade activities and the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to reposition Nigeria as a leading maritime and logistics hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
According to the report shared to Vanguard, total cargo throughput, excluding crude oil terminals, rose by 11.6 per cent year-on-year to 32.38 million metric tons, compared to 29.02 million metric tons recorded in the
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