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Lekki Deep Sea Port Overtakes Tin Can as Nigeria’s Second-Biggest Trade Hub

Published by admin on December 15th, 2025.

Lekki Deep Sea Port Overtakes Tin Can as Nigeria’s Second-Biggest Trade Hub

Lekki Deep Sea Port is fast changing Nigeria’s maritime trade pattern, emerging as the country’s second-largest port by trade value barely three years after it began operations. Latest trade figures for the first nine months of 2025 show that Lekki has moved ahead of long-established ports such as Tin Can Island and Port Harcourt (Onne) in both imports and exports, pointing to a major shift in cargo movement across the country.

Data from Nigeria’s “Trade by Top 10 Posts/Ports of Operation” for Q1 to Q3 2025 reveal that Lekki handled an estimated ₦13.46 trillion in total trade during the period. This places it well above Tin Can Island, which recorded ₦9.31 trillion, and far ahead of Port Harcourt (Onne) with ₦6.76 trillion. Although Apapa Port remains the largest with about ₦74.78 trillion, Lekki has clearly established itself as the only port operating on a scale strong enough to serve as a true second hub.

One striking feature of Lekki’s growth is the balance between imports and exports. Between January and September 2025, the port processed ₦7.39 trillion in imports and ₦6.07 trillion in exports. This balance shows that Lekki is no longer just an entry point for goods but is also becoming an important channel for outbound trade.

On the import side, Lekki’s rise has been steady and strong. Imports grew from ₦1.70 trillion in the first quarter to ₦2.51 trillion in the second quarter, before reaching ₦3.18 trillion in the third quarter. By comparison, Tin Can Island recorded ₦5.83 trillion in imports over the same period, while Port Harcourt (Onne) handled ₦3.81 trillion. The trend suggests that high-value and containerised cargo is gradually shifting away from congested older ports to Lekki’s modern, purpose-built facility.

Exports have followed a similar path, though slightly later. Lekki processed just ₦303.6 billion in exports in Q1 2025, but this jumped sharply to ₦2.41 trillion in Q2 and ₦3.36 trillion in Q3. By the third quarter, Lekki had overtaken Tin Can Island as an export hub and was closing the gap with Port Harcourt (Onne). This pattern mirrors global experience, where new deep-sea ports first attract imports before exporters adjust their logistics to take advantage of the new infrastructure.

While Apapa Port still dominates Nigeria’s trade, accounting for over ₦52.6 trillion in exports and ₦22.2 trillion in imports within the same period, its position is gradually becoming less overwhelming. Lekki’s growth appears to be absorbing new trade volumes rather than simply diverting cargo, especially industrial inputs, refined products and large container shipments. This shift supports efforts to ease pressure on Apapa without harming overall trade activity.

Lekki’s rapid climb is closely linked to recent investments in infrastructure, particularly access routes. Key developments include the completion of a 37-kilometre access road built by Dangote and commissioned by President Bola Tinubu, approval of ₦651.7 billion for the 7th axial road to connect the port to major trade corridors, and ongoing plans to address remaining access bottlenecks. These improvements are crucial, as efficient inland movement is just as important as port capacity itself.

With deep-water access, modern automation, proximity to major industrial zones and improving transport links, Lekki Deep Sea Port is attracting cargo at a faster pace than older facilities. The latest trade figures suggest that Nigeria’s port landscape is undergoing a lasting transformation, with Lekki firmly established as a key pillar of the country’s maritime future.