Stakeholders Push for Port Automation to Reduce Cargo Delays
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called for a complete overhaul of operations at Nigeria’s ports, urging the federal government to fully automate cargo handling and redeploy scanners to address long-standing inefficiencies.
In a recent statement, LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa voiced concerns over the slow pace of Nigeria’s maritime and logistics operations compared to other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
“The average cargo dwell time at Apapa Port is 26 days, far above the five- to seven-day average of regional peers. These inefficiencies stem from persistent manual processes at Customs, bottlenecks in cargo examination, and a heavy human interface that creates stumbling blocks to cargo clearance,” Idahosa stated.
He warned that these challenges are steadily weakening Nigeria’s competitiveness in the region, with some international shipping firms diverting cargo to nearby countries.
“We must act swiftly to address the root causes. That includes implementing the National Single Window Project without further delay, automating cargo clearance end-to-end, and redeploying mobile and digital cargo scanners at all major ports,” he added.
Recent findings suggest that international trade players, including the United States and Russia, are increasingly choosing Togo’s Lomé Port over Nigerian terminals due to excessive delays and red tape at Nigerian facilities.
The LCCI also took issue with the recent 15% hike in port charges by the Nigerian Ports Authority, arguing that it adds pressure to freight operators who are already grappling with inflation and currency instability.
“While the intention may be to improve infrastructure, this tariff hike is ill-timed and insensitive to current realities in the sector. Operators are already under intense pressure from rising costs and policy uncertainty,” Idahosa said.
He also cited Customs-related delays due to frequent and excessive queries on imported goods.
“This has not only delayed clearance processes but, in some cases, created opportunities for abuse. There is a need for deeper collaboration with Customs to streamline procedures and curb discretionary bottlenecks,” he added.
Despite these setbacks, the Chamber acknowledged signs of progress. According to LCCI, transportation costs from the ports have dropped by up to 60% in recent weeks.
“Just months ago, moving goods from Apapa to Ikeja could cost up to N1 million. Today, those costs have come down significantly. This is a welcome relief for businesses and shippers,” Idahosa said.
He also commended the Nigerian Railway Corporation for expanding rail-based cargo transportation within Lagos and to Ibadan.
“Increased rail use for cargo haulage is a promising shift away from road dependence. It enhances efficiency, reduces road congestion, and lowers overall logistics costs. We are monitoring this closely and encouraging further adoption,” he stated.
Reaffirming LCCI’s commitment to reforms, Idahosa said the group would continue engaging with stakeholders to promote transparency, efficiency, and global competitiveness across Nigeria’s maritime operations.
“We are committed to working with the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and other relevant agencies to fix these issues. The time to act is now,” he said.
Other stakeholders also weighed in, including the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), which voiced support for the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, anticipating significant improvements in cargo clearance times.
“Once you enter the National Single Window, it will increase the revenue generation of the government because there will be serious turnover on the part of the traders due to having a quick delivery period,” said IMAN President Kingsley Chikezie.
He added that with NSW fully implemented, the time it takes to clear shipments could drop drastically.
“We expect that by registering in NSW, we can hasten the clearance of our shipments that would have taken a long time, sometimes months, and be done within three hours.”
