Why Lagos Port Still Rules Nigeria’s Shipping Industry – Are Other Ports Being Left to Rot?

Why Lagos Port Still Rules Nigeria’s Shipping Industry – Are Other Ports Being Left to Rot?

  Why Lagos Port Remains Nigeria's Dominant Port Why Lagos Port Remains Nigeria’s Dominant ... September 10, 2025

 

Why Lagos Port Remains Nigeria’s Dominant Port – A Response to VDM

Nigeria officially has six major ports:

• Lagos Port Complex (including Apapa and Tin Can Island)
• Calabar Port Complex
• Delta Port Complex (Warri)
• Rivers Port Complex (Port Harcourt)
• Onne Port Complex
• Lekki Deep Sea Port (completed in late 2022)

Despite this, Lagos remains the most active and commercially viable port in the country. Here’s why:

Historical Advantage

Lagos was Nigeria’s former capital and the first major port developed by the British. This gave it a significant head start, with existing infrastructure, skilled manpower, and logistics networks already in place. Over time, Lagos evolved into the commercial hub of Nigeria, making it the natural go-to port for goods and services.

Specialized Use of Other Ports

Other ports have their limitations:

• Onne Port primarily handles oil exports, not general cargo.
• Rivers Port Complex and Delta Port Complex face infrastructure challenges, making them inefficient for high-volume cargo, raising the cost of goods.
• Onitsha Dry Port struggles because of shallow waterways; dredging is required for large vessels, which is expensive.

Government Challenges

The government cites limited resources as a reason why these ports haven’t been rehabilitated. They suggest public-private partnerships as a solution to revitalize them.

The Political Reality

A fully functional network of ports outside Lagos could:

• Reduce Lagos’s economic dominance
• Lower transportation costs for goods in other regions
• Stimulate local economies in other states

However, investing heavily in these ports might be politically inconvenient. Lagos generates massive revenue and serves as Nigeria’s central commercial hub. Strengthening other ports could redistribute economic power, which seems to be a politically sensitive move.

Conclusion

As VDM rightly pointed out, diversifying Nigeria’s port usage could unlock enormous economic potential for other regions and reduce pressure on Lagos. Yet, current political and strategic considerations ensure that Lagos Port remains the primary gateway for goods entering and leaving the country.

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