By Comfort Olayinka
In a major boost for Nigeria’s maritime trade, the Federal Government has approved the deepening of the Lekki Deep Seaport channel from its current depth of 16.5 metres to 17 metres, with long-term plans targeting a depth of 19 metres. This move aims to solidify Lekki Port’s position as West Africa’s premier transshipment hub.
This development was announced on Saturday, May 24, 2025, during a strategic performance enhancement visit to the $1.5 billion port by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, accompanied by top NPA executives. The visit underscored the government’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a dominant force in African maritime logistics.
Dr. Dantsoho described the surge in cargo throughput at Lekki Port as “exciting,” adding that the port’s ability to berth super post-panamax vessels was a game-changer for Nigeria’s export capabilities, particularly for agro-allied products under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
To consolidate the growth, Dantsoho revealed that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, approved the dredging project after years of planning. The Chinese engineering giant, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), has been selected as a strategic partner to execute the dredging works.
“This dredging approval is a testament to our resolve to boost port efficiency and trade facilitation,” Dantsoho said. “It marks a new phase of deeper connectivity and stronger transshipment potential for Lekki Port.”
He also highlighted automation as a key strength of the port, lauding Lekki’s cutting-edge technology which positions it ahead of older terminals. This, he said, makes it fully ready for integration into Nigeria’s forthcoming Port Community System and National Single Window.
On the issue of port charges, Dantsoho explained that while the NPA is open to reviewing Ship Dues in the future, current economic realities—especially the dollarized cost of navigational and port safety equipment—require careful balancing. However, he projected that full digitization of port operations would triple revenue and potentially pave the way for tariff reviews.
During the visit, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Mr. Qiang Wang, presented key policy requests, including tariff adjustments, night pilotage services for round-the-clock operations, and Ship Dues reductions for large and feeder vessels.
The NPA MD also visited the adjacent $19.5 billion Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery and held a brief meeting with industrialist Aliko Dangote, further underscoring the importance of integrated maritime and industrial infrastructure in Nigeria’s economic strategy.
With increasing throughput, global-class infrastructure, and a deepening channel, Lekki Port is poised to revolutionize maritime trade across West Africa.
