Two of Nigeria’s busiest gateways have broken into the global rankings of the world’s most improved seaports, in a significant milestone for the country’s maritime sector.
The World Bank has ranked Tin Can Island Port Complex and Apapa Port Complex among the Top 20 Most Improved Ports globally, according to the Container Port Performance Index (CCPI) 2025, released in June 2026.
The recognition marks a major leap for Nigeria’s port infrastructure and positions the country as an emerging leader in maritime trade on the African continent.
The CCPI is a globally recognised data-driven benchmark that assesses port performance based on vessel turnaround time -the speed with which ships are processed and dispatched. By measuring this across hundreds of ports worldwide, the index provides a clear picture of where gains are being made and where challenges remain.
At the heart of the improvement is a reform drive championed by Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), whose modernisation agenda has drawn praise from industry stakeholders and international observers alike.
The gains at the ports have translated directly into broader economic dividends. The NPA has played a central role in sustaining Nigeria’s trade surplus, facilitating the movement of exports and imports with greater efficiency.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a trade surplus of N7.54 trillion in the first quarter of 2026 alone -a figure that underscores a strategic weight of the country’s port infrastructure in driving economic growth.
Speaking on the World Bank recognition, Dr. Dantsoho credited the enabling environment created by the President Tinubu-led Federal Government.
“With the investor-friendly policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu providing the impetus for increased investment to drive our port infrastructure and equipment modernization programme, coupled with the unflinching support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, we have all it takes to further enhance trade facilitation, improve competitiveness and boost the national economy,” he said.
The ranking is expected to strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector and cement the nation’s standing as a leading trade and logistics hub in West Africa -a position that until recently, has been contested by rival regional ports.
