PurposeThe study examined the effect of optimal port operations on global maritime transportation among selected ports in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachIt considered research questions such as are the ports in Nigeria functional, are the ports functioning to optimal capacity and are there challenges affecting smooth operations in the Nigerian ports? The study tested the null hypothesis which states that there is no positive and significant relationship between a functional port system and

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... aritime transportation in Nigeria. The nonparametric statistics, chi-square, were used to analyze data. Data were gathered through a questionnaire administered to three major ports in Nigeria, namely Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Port Harcourt Old port and Warri Port.FindingsFrom the analysis, findings showed that there exists a positive and significant relationship between operations in the ports and maritime transportation in Nigeria.Practical implications: The study showed that the moribund state of some ports and terminals will result in loss of jobs and huge revenue, therefore, compounding the menace of unemployment with its associated vices.Originality/valueThe study concludes that the operations of a functional port affect the economic growth of maritime nations. Thus, it is recommended that government and the private sector should collaborate to raise adequate capital for port development and improve the super structures (infrastructures) for optimal port operations in the country among others.