Lekki Deep Seaport vs Ibom Deep Seaport: Which is Bigger, Deeper and More Profitable? By Okwo Romeon Abuja

Nigeria currently has two major deep seaport projects — Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos which is already operational, and Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom which is at advanced approval stage. Many importers, investors and shipping lines are asking: which is bigger, deeper and more profitable?

Nigeria Anchorage provides a full comparison based on NPA and Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy data.

1. Location and Natural Depth

Lekki Deep Seaport: Located at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. Natural depth of 16.5 meters, currently the deepest port in Nigeria. It can receive vessels of 18,000 TEU capacity.

Ibom Deep Seaport: Located at Ibaka, Mbo Local Government, Akwa Ibom. Natural depth of 18.24 meters, deeper than Lekki. It will be the deepest port in West Africa when completed and can receive 23,000 TEU vessels and Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC).

Winner on Depth: Ibom Deep Seaport (18.24m vs 16.5m)

2. Size and Capacity

Lekki: Built on 90 hectares, with 3 container berths, 1.2 million TEU capacity per year, expandable to 2.5 million TEU.

Ibom: Planned on 565 hectares (6 times bigger than Lekki), with 15 berths including container, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and RoRo terminals. Projected capacity of 5 million TEU per year.

Winner on Size: Ibom Deep Seaport (565 hectares vs 90 hectares)

3. Cost and Investment

Lekki: Built at $1.5 billion by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Tolaram Group and NPA. Already operational since 2023.

Ibom: Estimated cost $4.2 billion, to be built by Bollore/PowerChina consortium. FID expected Q4 2026.

4. Connectivity and Business Advantage

Lekki: Connected to Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, with Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone. However, suffers from Lagos truck gridlock and Eto call-up issues.

Ibom: Connected to South-South and South-East markets (Onitsha, Aba, Calabar). No gridlock. Has Free Trade Zone, 14km road linking to East-West Road, and planned Ibom Industrial City. It will complement Tin Can and Apapa by diverting cargo meant for eastern Nigeria.

Winner on Decongestion: Ibom Deep Seaport

5. Profitability for Importers

Lekki currently charges $300-400 per container for port charges, while Ibom is projected to charge lower due to deeper draft and faster turnaround, saving shipping lines $150,000 per vessel in waiting time at Lagos anchorage.

NPA has confirmed that Ibom will not compete with Lekki but will complement it — Lekki will serve Lagos and South-West cargo, while Ibom will serve South-South, South-East and Niger Delta cargo.

Lekki Port  Ibeju Lagos 

Conclusion: Which Should You Use?

- If your cargo is for Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin — use Lekki Deep Seaport.

- If your cargo is for Aba, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu — Ibom Deep Seaport will be cheaper and faster when operational.

Both ports are needed to end congestion at Lagos anchorage where 18 vessels wait daily to berth at Apapa and Tin Can.

NPA said Ibom Deep Seaport will reduce Lagos anchorage waiting time from 5 days to 1 day when operational.

Follow Nigeria Anchorage for daily updates on Ibom Deep Seaport construction.

Ibom Deep-Sea Port Ibaka


Related Articles:

- How Ibom Deep Seaport Will Complement Tin Can Island Port

- Lagos Anchorage Update September 22, 2026: 18 Vessels Waiting to Berthing 

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