Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently slash the 7% cargo clearance surcharge imposed at Nigerian ports, warning that the levy is worsening inflation, suffocating trade, and pushing legitimate businesses to the brink of collapse.
In a strongly worded letter delivered to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, APFFLON described the surcharge as an “unsustainable burden” that is deepening the country’s economic crisis.
The association argued that, with inflation already at record highs, the Naira depreciating, and operational costs skyrocketing, the surcharge has become a key factor inflating import prices, disrupting supply chains, and threatening livelihoods.
“The cost of clearing cargo is at an all-time high,” the letter read. “Businesses are bleeding, prices are rising uncontrollably, and the surcharge is making it harder for traders and logistics operators to survive.”
The freight forwarders further questioned the relevance of the surcharge in the current port structure, pointing out that most port terminals have been concessioned to private operators. According to APFFLON, port users derive no direct value or service improvement from the levy, making its continued enforcement “unjustifiable” and “counterproductive.”
APFFLON outlined a set of demands to the Federal Government:
- Immediate downward review of the 7% surcharge to ease the cost of doing business.
- Comprehensive public audit of how surcharge funds have been collected and spent over the years.
- Stakeholder consultations to design a fair, inclusive, and sustainable port revenue model that balances government needs with the realities of trade.
- A harmonized and transparent port pricing system to eliminate overlapping levies, bottlenecks, and arbitrary charges.
Speaking on behalf of the association, APFFLON President, Frank Ogunojemite, stressed that slashing the surcharge would be a bold statement by the Tinubu administration that it is serious about inclusive economic recovery and trade facilitation.
“As professionals dedicated to the growth and integrity of Nigeria’s maritime sector, we are ready to support all reform efforts that prioritize national interest and economic revival,” Ogunojemite declared.
The freight forwarders’ appeal comes amid growing agitation from other trade and industry groups who have repeatedly raised alarm over Nigeria’s high port charges. Industry experts note that the combined effect of multiple levies, poor infrastructure, and slow cargo clearance processes has made Nigerian ports some of the most expensive in West Africa.
Economists warn that unless urgent measures are taken to reduce the cost of importing and exporting goods, Nigeria risks losing its competitive edge to neighbouring ports in Benin Republic, Ghana, and Togo, which are already attracting cargo traffic that previously came to Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Stakeholders also caution that excessive port charges encourage smuggling and informal trade through unregulated routes, depriving the government of legitimate revenue while undermining security and trade data accuracy.