Nigeria risks losing cargo to port of neighbouring countries — SEREC warns

By Godwin Oritse

Nigeria Maritime risks losing cargo to ports in neighbouring countries due to persistent inefficiencies, the Sea Empowerment & Research Center (SEREC) has warned in a new policy advisory, highlighting mounting structural pressure in the maritime sector.

Titled “Maritime Reform at a Crossroads: Data Signals, Export Concerns, and the Urgent Need for Execution Discipline,” the advisory points to concerning trends recorded in the first quarter of 2026. Although customs revenue posted an estimated growth of between 12 and 18 percent, operational indicators such as cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround remain suboptimal.

According to the report, average cargo dwell time exceeded 15 days, while vessel turnaround time ranged between four and six days. Export throughput, particularly in the non-oil segment, declined by about 8 to 12 percent—an indication, SEREC noted, of a gradual erosion of Nigeria’s export competitiveness.

According to the report, Nigeria’s export ecosystem is increasingly underperforming due to delays in processing, poor prioritization at port terminals, and logistics inefficiencies.

These challenges are particularly affecting agro-exports, undermining broader economic diversification efforts.

“The system remains structurally tilted toward imports,” the report noted, warning that continued neglect of export facilitation could weaken Nigeria’s trade balance over time.

SEREC identified neighboring ports in Benin Republic and Togo as growing threats, citing their lower costs, faster clearance times, and more predictable regulatory environments.

Ports along the Cotonou–Lomé corridor are increasingly attracting Nigerian-bound cargo, aided by efficient transshipment systems and expanding cross-border trucking networks.

The report estimates that if current trends persist, between 15 and 25 percent of Nigeria-bound cargo could be diverted to neighboring ports within the next 12 to 24 months.

“This is not a theoretical risk—it is already happening,” the advisory stated. “Cargo flows to where systems work best, not necessarily where geography dictates.”

The potential consequences for Nigeria are significant. SEREC warned of revenue leakage from lost customs duties and port charges, distortion of national trade data, job losses within the logistics sector, and a broader erosion of the country’s strategic maritime position.

There is also concern that Nigeria could gradually shift from being a regional maritime hub to merely a destination market reliant on external port infrastructure.

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