Overconcentration of Cargo at Lagos Ports Drives Congestion, Inefficiency — Maritime Stakeholders
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have blamed the persistent congestion and inefficiency at Lagos ports on the over-concentration of port activities in the state, describing the situation as economically damaging and operationally unsustainable.
They argued that years of excessive reliance on the Lagos ports— Apapa, Tin Can Island, Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) and Lilypond—have resulted in monumental traffic gridlock, systemic inefficiencies, rising corruption, and severe pressure on port access roads.
The stakeholders therefore welcomed the Federal Government’s renewed push to activate and modernise eastern ports, noting that the move would bring long-term economic benefits to both Lagos and the rest of the country.
Industry observers rejected the Lagos State Government’s worries that reviving eastern ports would lower cargo throughput at Lagos ports, arguing that these worries were unfounded and based on insufficient data.
For decades, ports in Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Warri and Koko (Delta State), and Calabar (Cross River State) have remained underutilised, forcing most import and export cargo into Lagos and overburdening the state’s infrastructure.
With plans to revitalize and modernize seaports around the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken action to buck the trend. Analysts say the initiative will expand cargo volumes, boost government revenue, and ensure balanced regional development.
A $1 billion (roughly N1.6 trillion) port modernization program was recently approved by the president with the goal of putting Nigerian ports on par with those in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Additionally, he revealed during a conference of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in
Lagos that similar upgrades at eastern ports had already started the procurement process.
The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, voiced concerns over the decentralization of port operations after the announcement. His Senior Special Adviser on Transportation and Logistics, Mr. Adekoya Hassan, criticised the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for shifting operational focus to ports in Warri and Koko, warning that it could replicate Lagos-style gridlock in those corridors.
However, an industry insider noted that the decentralisation policy was already yielding results, with increased container handling at Warri and Koko ports.
Ismail Aniemu, a maritime analyst, said the Federal Government’s move was both essential and timely.
“While some eastern ports like Onne and Port Harcourt are already functional, there is an urgent need to channel more cargo traffic to Warri and Calabar. This requires sustained maintenance dredging, but the benefits are enormous,” he said.
Aniemu explained that much of the congestion in Lagos stems from cargo destined for Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Port Harcourt and other eastern cities being routed through Lagos and transported by road.
This has resulted in fierce competition for the few available road spaces, a high number of accidents, the loss of cargo, and even fatalities. Reviving eastern ports will reduce this pressure and create balance,” he said.
He went on to say that inland logistics and trade efficiency would be further strengthened by the activation of river ports like Onitsha, which are supported by barges.
Beyond decongesting Lagos, Aniemu said the policy would stimulate economic growth across the value chain, including employment, investment, security and tourism.
“Where maritime trade thrives, hotels, recreation, logistics and other services flourish. This is about Nigeria, not just Lagos. Lagos cannot accommodate everybody,” he stressed.
