A year of transformation, global recognition

Nigeria’s maritime sector in 2025 recorded a watershed year of transformation, strategic reforms, and global recognition, demonstrating resilience despite structural challenges. With investments in port modernisation, digitalisation, human capital development, and fisheries, Nigeria positioned itself as a competitive continental maritime hub. AFIONG EDEMUMOH reports

The year marked Nigeria’s return to global maritime prominence. In November 2025, Nigeria reclaimed a Category C seat at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium after a 14-year absence, securing 116 votes and defeating Denmark, Kenya, and Bangladesh. Category C representation includes nations with special interests in maritime transport and navigation, ensuring Nigeria a platform to influence global maritime policies, from safety and environmental protection to trade facilitation and technical cooperation.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the victory as a “landmark endorsement of renewed global confidence in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.” The seat strengthens Africa’s representation at IMO and enables Nigeria to advance Gulf of Guinea security priorities, including piracy suppression and maritime capacity-building initiatives.

Complementing this, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, was elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council in June 2025, the first Nigerian to lead the body since its inception in 1952. The WCO represents 187 customs administrations globally, and Adeniyi’s leadership validates Nigeria’s digitalisation and trade facilitation reforms, including the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, SAFE Framework implementation, and the $3.2 billion E-Customs Modernisation Project. His December 2025 chairing of the WCO Policy Commission session in Guatemala further advanced Nigeria’s role in shaping continental trade facilitation standards under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Port modernisation and infrastructure upgrades

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) accelerated port modernisation programmes in 2025, with Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho’s election as Vice President (Africa) of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) lending global recognition to Nigeria’s reforms. The authority undertook extensive dredging and channel expansion at Calabar, Warri, and Burutu ports, deployed six advanced scanners, including the FS6000 model for non-intrusive inspections, and implemented the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’Odogwu.

These initiatives were complemented by the full operationalisation of Dangote Refinery’s marine facilities, expected to attract over 600 vessels annually, and substantial capital investments at Eastern ports aimed at decongesting Lagos-based facilities. The strategic deployment of modern port technologies improved cargo handling, reduced turnaround times, and reinforced Nigeria’s capacity under AfCFTA to serve as a regional transshipment and logistics hub.

The Lekki Deep Sea Port emerged as a game-changer, processing goods worth nearly $9.3 billion (N13.46 trillion) in the first nine months of 2025. Automation in container handling and cargo tracking, combined with a deeper draught accommodating ultra-large vessels, positioned Lekki as Nigeria’s second-largest port by trade value, surpassing Tin Can Island and Onne, with only Apapa maintaining higher throughput.

Digitalisation and regulatory reforms

Digital transformation extended beyond ports. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) launched its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in Abuja, unveiled by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Oyetola. ECMS introduced automated workflows, centralised digital records, real-time task tracking, and secure approvals, significantly reducing bureaucratic delays and enhancing port performance. This initiative aligned with broader sector reforms, including the rollout of inland dry ports and the resolution of chronic congestion at Apapa.

Regulatory reforms also delivered economic impact. The NSC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism saved maritime stakeholders over N10 billion in 2025, handling between 300 and 400 cases. The Council advanced 14 Vehicle Transit Parks to mitigate driver fatigue, accelerated inland dry port projects in Funtua and Borno, and established Border Information Centres to capture informal trade and curb smuggling. The Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, pending presidential assent, promises to replace the outdated 1978 decree, providing regulatory certainty for investors while strengthening the NSC’s mandate.

The Nigeria Customs Service further enhanced trade facilitation through the National Single Window platform and the Authorised Economic Operator programme, reducing clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can ports from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant operators. The indigenous B’Odogwu customs clearance platform expanded nationwide, streamlining operations and boosting transparency. Joint border patrols with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police, supported by drones and real-time intelligence, enhanced security and revenue collection.

Revenue performance and economic contributions

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Maritime agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy achieved remarkable revenue growth in 2025.

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) targeted N1.28 trillion, a 40 per cent increase from N865.39bn in 2024 which it surpassed by recording an actual income of N894.86bn, with over 70 per cent earmarked for capital projects at Calabar, Warri, Burutu, and other Eastern ports. Revenue streams include ship dues (N544.06 billion), cargo dues (N413.06 billion), concession fees (N249.69 billion), and administrative revenue (N73.07 billion).

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) projected N774.66 billion, leveraging automation, offshore waste management, sea protection, and ship registration, with N264.96 billion available for agency operations post-deductions.

National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) targeted N34.389 billion, exceeding a 200 per cent growth over 2024, driven by Port Development Levies and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, alongside investments in dredging, wreck removal, and vessel acquisition.

According to reports, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) did not set a major standalone revenue target for 2025. Instead, its budget relied on the collection of a 1 per cent Freight Stabiliaation Fee, as authorised under the NSC Act, to fund its regulatory functions. This fee is expected to take effect once the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill receives Presidential assent.

In the meantime, the council generated N19.15 billion in 2024, maintaining its regulatory role despite marginal declines from the previous year.

Human capital development

Human capital development remained a critical focus. NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd (NSML) inducted 21 Nigerian cadets for UK-based training and mandatory sea-time leading to Certificates of Competency. Nigerian shipowners provided over 60 sea-time slots to cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, complementing training for Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) cadets. NSML’s Maritime Centre of Excellence secured UK accreditation for four specialised courses, aiming to become a premier training hub in Africa.

At MAN, reforms included the first-ever approved Conditions of Service in 48 years, employment of professional lecturers, and expansion of infrastructure, simulators, medical centers, and engineering workshops. Despite graduating over 200 cadets in 2025 with international professional registration, challenges remain in securing adequate onboard training due to limited vessel availability.

Maritime security and the deep blue project

Security improvements were sustained through the Deep Blue Project, officially the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure. Nigeria achieved its third consecutive year of zero piracy reports, deploying patrol boats, interceptor vessels, surveillance aircraft, helicopters, drones, and the C4i command system integrated with the Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye system. These interventions eliminated War Risk Insurance premiums estimated at $400 million annually and positioned Nigeria as a safe maritime corridor in the Gulf of Guinea.

Fisheries and blue economy development

The fisheries and aquaculture sector expanded production from 1.1 million to 1.4 million metric tons, supported by federal interventions, capacity-building, and access to single-digit interest loans. Oyetola emphasised the sector’s role in food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda, reducing illegal fishing practices, and contributing to Nigeria’s blue economy valuation of $296 billion.

Persistent challenges

Despite progress, significant challenges remain. About 85 percent of port infrastructure exceeds 40 years, overlapping agency mandates create bureaucratic bottlenecks, and regulatory inconsistencies persist. Cargo dwell times remain 18–20 days, far above the global benchmark of 3–5 days. Foreign exchange volatility, stowaway incidents, empty container mismanagement causing $500 million losses annually, and a lack of national shipping capacity continue to constrain efficiency. Seafarer brain drain and insufficient certification opportunities further limit Nigeria’s global maritime competitiveness.

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Strategic opportunities

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents opportunities to expand intra-African trade flows, increase cargo volumes, and position Nigeria as a transshipment hub. Inland waterways activation across 10,000 kilometers of navigable routes offers year-round multimodal logistics potential, reducing road congestion. Export diversification of solid minerals and agro commodities, alongside the proposed national maritime flag carrier through a public-private partnership, seeks to retain freight earnings domestically. Lekki Deep Sea Port, capable of accommodating ultra-large vessels, demonstrates Nigeria’s potential to serve landlocked countries such as Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Outlook and reform imperatives

The 10-Year National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy (2025–2034) provides a comprehensive framework covering port modernisation, inland waterways, cabotage enforcement, maritime security, and technology adoption. However, implementation gaps remain the central challenge. Key reforms include accelerating National Single Window deployment, enforcing the Cabotage Act, fully digitising port operations, activating inland waterways for multimodal transport, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and sustaining maritime security investments. Comparative benchmarks from Ghana’s Tema Port and Togo’s Lomé Port emphasise that efficiency, automation, and regulatory certainty, not scale alone, drive maritime competitiveness.

2025, industry players affirm, was a transformative year for Nigeria’s maritime sector, marked by digital innovation, port modernisation, regulatory reform, global recognition, and human capital development. Historic achievements, such as IMO Council election, WCO leadership, and Deep Blue Project success, they agree, underscore Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance. Strategic investments in Lekki Deep Sea Port, inland dry ports, and capacity-building initiatives position Nigeria to lead in regional maritime trade. With sustained implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, coherent reforms, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration, the sector, stakeholders say, is poised to drive economic diversification, strengthen food security, and establish Nigeria as Africa’s premier maritime and logistics hub.