Lekki Port Reaffirms Commitment to Technological Advancement
Nifemi Coker
In just over two years since it began commercial operations, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port has cemented its place as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s maritime sector— setting the pace in technological innovation, operational efficiency, and cargo throughput.
Commissioned in April 2023, the Lekki Port— situated on a 19-hectare landmass with Nigeria’s deepest draught of 16.5 metres— has emerged as a model for modern port management in the country. With Emmanuel Anda at the helm as Port Manager, the facility operates under the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and boasts an annual processing capacity of 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
As of June 2025, the Port had processed over 220,000 TEUs of cargo, with projections to exceed 500,000 TEUs by the end of the year. This is a significant leap from 2023’s throughput of 58,000 TEUs and 287,000 TEUs in 2024— a clear indicator of strategic planning and execution underpinned by cutting-edge technology.
A key highlight of Lekki Port’s operations is its smart, fully automated system which drastically reduces turnaround times. Vessel turnaround stands at just 48 hours, while trucks average one hour and 25 minutes. This level of efficiency is further enhanced by a high-speed container scanning machine capable of completing scans in just 33 seconds.
At a recent Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Freight Forwarders Conference held on July 23, stakeholders lauded the Port’s seamless operations. One participant aptly remarked, “Lekki Port is not just operational, it is exemplary.”
Also drawing commendation is the port’s transshipment efficiency, having successfully moved over 40,000 TEUs to West African countries. Current trials with the Onne Port in Rivers State signal readiness to deepen domestic transshipment operations.
Structurally, Lekki Port is fortified with a 2-kilometre breakwater ridge that calms coastal waves and a 9.6-kilometre channel that enables the deployment of four tugboats to berth mega vessels, including the largest yet— 366 metres in length and carrying 14,000 TEUs.
Technological advancement also extends to access control and security. Regular port users, especially truck drivers, are enrolled biometrically to ensure seamless access and reduce cargo dwell time— an innovation that reinforces operational efficiency and cargo evacuation.
Mr. Anda and his team continue to explore partnerships that align with global best practices, including integration with Lagos State’s traffic control model to avoid a repeat of Apapa’s erstwhile infamous gridlock.
Their vision, strongly supported by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, is clear: to position Lekki Deep Sea Port as West Africa’s leading maritime hub through sustained investments in smart port technologies and future-ready infrastructure.
Lekki Port stands out not just as a functional maritime facility, but as a symbol of what is possible when modern technology meets forward-thinking leadership.
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