FG Backs Lekki Seaport Dredging to Boost Trade Capacity

The Federal Government has officially endorsed the expansion of dredging activities at the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos, signaling a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s maritime trade and positioning the country as a transshipment hub in West and Central Africa.

The announcement was made during the inaugural visit of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who emphasized that the deepening of the port’s channel from 16.5 meters to an initial target of 17 meters—and ultimately to 19 meters—will significantly improve its capacity to handle larger vessels.

“This development will enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, reduce vessel waiting times, and boost our export capacity, especially for agro-allied products,” Dr. Dantsoho stated.

He added that the project would be executed in collaboration with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the port’s construction partner.

The Lekki Deep Seaport, operational since April 2023, is the deepest and most modern seaport in Nigeria, with an annual handling capacity of 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The facility is expected to expand this capacity to 6 million TEUs in the near future, transforming it into a critical maritime gateway for the West African region.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, also lauded the dredging initiative, noting that it aligns with the government’s broader economic goals, including maximizing the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and improving foreign exchange earnings.

Operated under a public-private partnership, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL)—a consortium involving CHEC, Tolaram Group, the Lagos State Government, and the Federal Government through the NPA—manages the port.

The dredging project is expected to commence shortly, paving the way for larger container vessels to berth in Nigeria and enabling faster cargo turnover, reduced logistics costs, and improved global competitiveness.