Challenges Facing Nigeria's Eastern Corridor Seaports

The World Bank's recent release of the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) highlights the performance of Lagos ports, which have gained recognition among the global top 20. However, significant challenges remain for Nigeria's eastern corridor seaports, including Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Warri.

Maritime analysts emphasize that shallow channel depths, with Port Harcourt and Calabar hovering around 6-7 meters, prevent larger vessels from accessing these ports. This situation necessitates aggressive dredging projects to enhance operational capacity.

Despite the potential economic power of the eastern flank, current infrastructural constraints lead to underutilization of these ports. Dr.

Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, stress the need for a unified strategy to develop these ports. Without addressing these bottlenecks, Nigeria's maritime sector will struggle to compete effectively on a global scale.