Lagos ports processed an estimated N35.07 trillion, or about 84.6 per cent, of Nigeria’s N41.44 trillion total merchandise trade in the second quarter of 2026, reinforcing the commercial capital’s position as the country’s main trade gateway.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics’ Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics show that overall merchandise trade in the period comprised N27.02 trillion in exports and N14.42 trillion in imports.
Apapa, Lekki and Tin Can Dominate
Apapa Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port and Tin Can Island accounted for the bulk of activity. Their combined export and import flows were estimated at N34.90 trillion.
Apapa alone handled N25.53 trillion in aggregate trade, made up of N19.07 trillion in exports and N6.46 trillion in imports. Lekki Deep Sea Port recorded N6.64 trillion, comprising N5.03 trillion in exports and N1.61 trillion in imports. Tin Can Island accounted for N2.90 trillion, consisting of N726.92 billion in exports and N2.17 trillion in imports.
Export Concentration Higher Still
The concentration was even sharper on the export side. Apapa and Lekki Deep Sea Port together accounted for 89.19 per cent of exports recorded among the leading customs ports and posts.
Apapa remained the dominant export gateway, handling N19.07 trillion, or 70.57 per cent of total exports. Lekki followed with N5.03 trillion, representing 18.62 per cent.
On the import side, Apapa also led with N6.46 trillion, equivalent to 44.76 per cent of total imports. Tin Can Island ranked second with N2.17 trillion, or 15.07 per cent, while Lekki Deep Sea Port handled N1.61 trillion, or 11.15 per cent.
Other Ports Trail Far Behind
Outside Lagos, Port Harcourt Area-1 recorded N1.17 trillion in exports and N229.77 billion in imports, for a total of about N1.4 trillion. The Onne facility handled N802.72 billion in exports and N1.20 trillion in imports, for a combined total of roughly N2 trillion.
The figures underline the heavy concentration of Nigeria’s external trade around Lagos, with its ports accounting for the overwhelming share of the country’s merchandise trade during the quarter.
