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Presscode News
NIGERIA MOVES TO CUT PORT CARGO CLEARANCE TO SEVEN DAYS
By PRESSCODE NEWS
ABUJA, NIGERIA. 9TH FEBRUARY 2O26
The Nigerian Ports Authority has launched a comprehensive reform initiative alongside the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council and the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee to drastically reduce cargo dwell times across the nation’s maritime facilities.
The three-day strategic workshop, convened at Lagos Port Complex under the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Accelerator, focused on achieving a seven-day cargo clearance benchmark. Port officials participated in intensive shadowing exercises, observing vessel berthing procedures and cargo clearance operations at key facilities including Tin Can Island.
Zahrah Mustapha, Director-General of PEBEC, emphasised the urgency of moving from dialogue to implementation. “Nigeria loses significant revenue daily due to operational inefficiencies,” she stated, highlighting that these challenges represent missed economic opportunities. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between regulatory bodies and private sector stakeholders whilst enhancing transparency and accountability.
Abubakar Dantsoho, NPA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, outlined plans to deploy a Port Community System in partnership with the International Maritime Organisation. This digital platform will serve as the technological foundation for the National Single Window, eliminating manual processing bottlenecks that currently hamper efficiency.
The NPA has demonstrated strong commitment to reform, ranking fifth amongst government agencies in 2025 with an 84.2 per cent compliance score. Officials expect implementation outcomes from the stakeholder engagement to emerge shortly, potentially transforming port competitiveness and attracting substantial investment.
The federal government’s broader modernisation strategy seeks to position Nigerian ports as premier regional hubs, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework. Success in these reforms could significantly enhance Nigeria’s role in continental trade flows.
PRESSCODE NEWS INSIGHT
Whilst the ambition is commendable, Nigeria’s port reform history suggests implementation will prove more challenging than planning. The seven-day target represents a substantial improvement opportunity, yet success hinges on sustained political will, adequate technology investment, and genuine stakeholder cooperation beyond ceremonial commitments.
PRESSCODE NEWS
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