Freight forwarders and clearing agents in Nigeria have called for an urgent review of the current tariff structure, citing rising operational costs and declining indigenous participation in the sector. Speaking during a media engagement in Lagos last week, stakeholders warned that continuous tariff hikes are stifling trade, discouraging local involvement, and worsening economic hardship. Kenneth Ofurum, a private practitioner, stated that the present tariff regime has forced many businesses to shut down, with importers unable to meet the financial demands of clearing goods, leading to a surge in unclaimed and overtime cargo at ports. In March, freight forwarders at Lagos ports vowed to resist further charge increases by shipping companies, culminating in a coordinated protest at the offices of MSC Shipping, Lagos and Niger Shipping Company, and Pacific International Lines along Commercial Road, Apapa, which halted operations at the firms. The Nigerian Shippers' Council met with maritime stakeholders in April, insisting on comprehensive consultations before implementing any proposed tariff hike. Ofurum argued that current revenue-focused policies lack a human face and are driving up prices for consumers. He also raised concerns about the marginalisation of Nigerian operators, with foreign interests increasingly dominating roles traditionally held by locals. The sector, which spans logistics, documentation, marine services, and legal operations, supports thousands of jobs, and stakeholders fear further neglect could deepen unemployment. Managing Director of Harsecom Logistics Limited, Haruna Omolajumo, pointed to countries like Ghana, where foreign firms must partner with local operators, a model absent in Nigeria. He noted that port-related charges have skyrocketed from around N10,000 to hundreds of thousands of naira, pushing smaller operators out of business. Stakeholders urged strict enforcement of local content laws and inclusive policy-making, particularly around digital platforms like the National Single Window.
Haruna Omolajumo highlights that port charges have jumped from about N10,000 to hundreds of thousands, yet foreign firms still operate without mandatory local partnerships, exposing a policy gap that disadvantages Nigerian operators. This imbalance directly threatens the livelihoods of thousands employed in logistics, documentation, and marine services across Lagos ports. While the government allows unchecked cost increases, it fails to enforce existing local content rules that could protect domestic businesses. The result is a shrinking space for Nigerian-owned firms in a sector critical to national trade.
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