The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other key maritime stakeholders have stepped up efforts to tackle one of the nation’s most persistent trade bottlenecks — high cargo dwell time at seaports — by collaborating on reforms and initiatives designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency across Nigeria’s major port complexes.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, said the Authority is working closely with partners to reduce the length of time cargo stays at the nation’s ports, a move that is expected to boost trade competitiveness, cut costs for importers and exporters, and enhance overall ease of doing business. The efforts include high-level engagements and practical measures to address operational delays that have long hindered Nigeria’s port performance.
This renewed drive forms part of a broader campaign under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) framework, which has brought together regulators, private sector participants and port managers in a series of stakeholder engagements. The objective is to design and implement solutions aimed at dramatically reducing cargo dwell time — with a target of achieving an average of seven days or less — and improve vessel turnaround times at key Nigerian ports such as Apapa and Tin Can Island.
The ongoing discussions and reform strategies reflect longstanding recognition that inefficiencies at Nigerian seaports have constrained trade and economic growth. Such delays extend the time required to clear and release goods, increasing the cost of doing business and reducing the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime gateways relative to regional trading hubs.
Authorities argue that addressing these challenges requires coordinated action among all stakeholders, including government agencies, port operators, freight forwarders and customs officials. Practical steps under consideration include improvements to documentation processes, better coordination of port and customs procedures, and enhanced digital systems for tracking and clearing cargo. This collaborative approach aims to eliminate redundancies, reduce delays and strengthen transparency in port transactions.
In recent engagements, the NPA and PEBEC have emphasised that the success of these reforms will help position Nigeria’s seaports as more efficient and competitive trade gateways on the continent, attracting greater investment and expanding market access for local businesses. Streamlined port operations are also expected to strengthen the country’s non-oil export performance, support supply chain activities and ultimately contribute to national economic development.
The port reform push underscores the importance of long-term strategic planning and the adoption of modern practices in maritime logistics, with officials citing shared commitments to reduce cargo dwell times, speed up cargo handling and strengthen operational accountability. If successful, these changes could significantly improve Nigeria’s standing in global maritime trade and deliver measurable benefits for merchants, manufacturers and consumers across the economy.
