Lagos ports handled an estimated N35.07 trillion, representing 84.6 per cent of Nigeria’s total merchandise trade of N41.44 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, underscoring the dominance of the nation’s commercial capital as its principal trade gateway.
The latest Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria recorded N27.02 trillion in exports and N14.42 trillion in imports during the quarter.
Apapa Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port and Tin Can Island accounted for the bulk of the trade, with their combined export and import flows estimated at N34.90 trillion.
Apapa Port alone handled N25.53 trillion in aggregate exports and imports, comprising N19.07 trillion in exports and N6.46 trillion in imports.
Lekki Deep Sea Port recorded N6.64 trillion in trade, made up of N5.03 trillion in exports and N1.61 trillion in imports.
Tin Can Island accounted for N2.90 trillion, comprising N726.92 billion in exports and N2.17 trillion in imports.
The concentration was more pronounced on the export side, with Apapa and Lekki Deep Sea Port jointly accounting for 89.19 per cent of exports recorded among the leading customs ports and posts.
Apapa remained the country’s dominant export gateway, handling N19.07 trillion, representing 70.57 per cent of total exports.
Lekki Deep Sea Port followed with N5.03 trillion, accounting for 18.62 per cent of exports.
On the import side, Apapa also retained the lead with N6.46 trillion, equivalent to 44.76 per cent of total imports.
Tin Can Island followed with N2.17 trillion, representing 15.07 per cent, while Lekki Deep Sea Port accounted for N1.61 trillion, or 11.15 per cent of total imports.
The figures highlight the heavy concentration of Nigeria’s external trade around Lagos, where the three major ports continue to handle the overwhelming share of the country’s merchandise trade.