The World Bank in its most recent seaport ranking has listed Nigeria’s two seaports, Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports among the top 20 most improved seaports in the world.

This recent global ranking is a reflection of massive reforms in terms of infrastructure upgrade and modernisation, automation of vessel management and port processes and the recent rejigging of the digitised cargo and truck movement system, carried out by the current Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, which have tremendously improved the ports’ operational efficiency.

According to World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index CPPI, 2025, Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports ranked among the top 20 most improved seaports in the world in the last five years.

The CPPI is a globally recognised benchmark that provides a consistent, data-driven assessment of seaport performance based on vessel turnaround, etc. The index also enables comparisons across seaports worldwide and over time, helping to identify areas of progress as well as operational challenges requiring attention.

According to the CPPI 2025, released by the World Bank in June 2026, both Nigeria’s seaports were listed in the top 20 port improvement category, which underscores the remarkable gains recorded in operational efficiency and turnaround time of vessels under the current management.

The latest recognition comes on the heels of the NPA’s pivotal role in sustaining Nigeria’s trade surplus. Available statistics support the fact that through enhanced efficiency and improved seaport operations, the NPA has continued to provide the platform for Nigeria’s successive attainment of trade surpluses since 2024.

Recall that most recently, the National Bureau of Statistics NBS, reported a trade surplus of ₦7.54 trillion in the first quarter Q1, of 2026, highlighting the strategic importance of the nation’s seaports to economic growth and international trade.

Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, while reacting to the World Bank report, attributed the feat to the investor-friendly policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola.

“With the investor-friendly policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu providing the impetus for increased investment to drive our port infrastructure and equipment modernisation 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”, Dr. Dantsoho said,

It is expected that this global recognition would further strengthen investors’ confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector and reinforce the country’s position as a leading trade and logistics hub not only in West Africa but across the continent.