The Lekki Deep Seaport, Nigeria’s flagship maritime infrastructure, has received commendations from stakeholders in the logistics and shipping sector for its exceptional performance in transshipment operations, positioning it as a regional hub for cargo movement across West Africa.
Speaking at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Freight Forwarders Group Conference themed “From Ports to Prosperity: Fixing the Links in Nigeria’s Supply Chain”, industry players hailed Lekki Port’s contributions to efficient cargo handling, reduced dwell time, and enhanced logistics coordination since it began full transshipment operations in June 2023.
Highlighting its achievements, Mr. Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Lekki Port, revealed that the facility has already moved over 40,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across West African ports, with nearly half of that volume recorded within the first half of 2025 alone. He attributed this performance to the port’s 16.5-meter draft and state-of-the-art super-post-Panamax cranes, which allow it to berth some of the world’s largest vessels and unload cargo with remarkable speed and precision.
“Lekki Port is not just functional — it is transformational,” Odibe said. “We are actively collaborating with relevant agencies to scale operations into landlocked African countries and improve cargo dwell time through advanced inter-agency coordination.”
He emphasized the strategic significance of Lekki Port as a model for port modernization in the region, stressing that seamless systems are essential—not optional—for Nigeria to unlock the full potential of its trade capacity under initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, represented by Assistant Director Oluwafemi Omonayin, applauded Lekki Port for deploying robust infrastructure and delivering visible impact within a short timeframe.
“We visited the port recently, and the operational efficiency we observed was commendable. The cargo scanning machine, for instance, completes a container scan in just 30 seconds. That’s world-class performance,” Omonayin noted.
Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, Deputy Chairman of the LCCI Freight Forwarders Trade Group and Managing Director of Cobita Invest Limited, echoed this sentiment. During his moderation of the panel discussion, he lauded the port for facilitating faster cargo movement, particularly transit goods destined for neighboring nations.
The event also spotlighted the need for multimodal transport integration—combining road, rail, and inland waterways—to ensure seamless cargo distribution nationwide. Stakeholders called for strategic investment to replicate Lekki Port’s success model in other parts of Nigeria, including the eastern and northern logistics corridors.
Lekki Port, developed under a public-private partnership involving the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Lagos State Government, and international investors including China Harbour Engineering Company, has already set a precedent for private sector-driven maritime transformation. Its positioning within the Lekki Free Trade Zone also enhances its competitiveness for attracting global shipping lines and reducing congestion in legacy ports like Apapa and Tin Can Island.
The recognition it now receives, according to industry observers, signals a turning point for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem—one that prioritizes automation, accountability, and regional integration.
With maritime activities expected to expand significantly over the coming years, Lekki Port’s role in shaping Nigeria’s logistics future is only just beginning.