By Joy Enamuna
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have expressed concern over the inability of the country’s ports to match the competitiveness of neighbouring facilities in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and Lome, Togo.
They said Nigeria’s huge market, cargo volume and maritime traffic should give its ports an edge, but inconsistent government policies, inadequate cargo-handling equipment, port charges and regulatory challenges were undermining that advantage.
The stakeholders spoke ahead of the 2026 Annual Maritime Lecture organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, with the theme, “Nigeria Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
A former Acting President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Dr Kayode Farinto, said Nigeria had the market capacity to compete favourably with other ports in the region if the government addressed some of the policies affecting port users.
Farinto said the concession agreements covering terminal operators needed to be renewed to encourage them to invest in modern equipment and improve cargo-handling operations.
He also cited the storage and demurrage arrangements at the Port of Cotonou as an area where Nigeria could learn from its neighbour, noting that concessions and waivers offered to importers could make the port more attractive.
Farinto said Nigeria’s large cargo base was largely responsible for keeping its ports ahead despite the operational challenges, urging the government to pursue predictable policies and create an environment capable of attracting greater investment.
“We have the volume of the market, that’s why Nigeria is still doing well. That’s why we can say that we stand tall,” he said.
Also weighing in, the founder and Principal Consultant of International Trade Advisory Services Limited, Okey Ibeke, described Nigerian ports as currently uncompetitive when compared with their counterparts in the sub-region.
Ibeke acknowledged efforts by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service to modernise cargo clearance through automation but said entrenched interests and poor compliance continued to frustrate reforms.
He cited the persistent challenges around the Port Access Road, alleging that individuals who benefited from the disorder and illegal activities along the route had resisted attempts to introduce lasting reforms.
Ibeke also blamed shipping companies, terminal operators and some security agencies for practices that increase the cost and difficulty of doing business at Nigerian ports.
He identified poor compliance by importers as a major obstacle to effective automation, alleging that wrong classification, undervaluation and concealment of goods continued to create opportunities for security agencies and others to exploit the system.
According to him, automation in developed economies is primarily designed to strengthen security and facilitate trade, rather than simply increase government revenue.
Ibeke argued that Nigerian importers also needed to change their attitude towards compliance, urging the National Orientation Agency to intensify public enlightenment on the need for accurate declarations.
He said false declarations in ports such as Cotonou and Lome could result in seizure of cargo, whereas Nigeria Customs often allows importers to make up duty shortfalls through debit notes, a practice he said had contributed to weak compliance.
The maritime stakeholders also raised concerns over the effectiveness of the recently enacted legislation affecting the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, with Farinto stressing the need to determine whether the law would give the council stronger regulatory powers.
He said an effective regulatory framework would compel shipping companies and agencies to comply with established rules and improve discipline within the sector.
The stakeholders’ concerns are expected to dominate discussions at MAMAL 2026, where industry players will examine how port modernisation, charges, regulation and compliance can determine Nigeria’s ability to compete effectively in the West African maritime sector.
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