Nigeria risks losing cargo to port of neighbouring countries — SEREC warns
Nigeria at Risk of Losing Cargo to Neighboring Ports, SEREC Warns
By Godwin Oritse
Nigeria may soon face significant losses of cargo to ports in neighboring countries due to ongoing inefficiencies in its maritime sector, according to a new policy advisory from the Sea Empowerment & Research Center (SEREC). The report outlines critical structural challenges affecting the nation’s shipping landscape.
Titled “Maritime Reform at a Crossroads: Data Signals, Export Concerns, and the Urgent Need for Execution Discipline,” the advisory notes troubling trends from the first quarter of 2026. While customs revenue reportedly grew between 12 and 18 percent, key operational metrics such as cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround remain inadequate.
The report indicates that average cargo dwell time now exceeds 15 days, while vessel turnaround is reported at four to six days. Furthermore, export throughput in the non-oil sector has decreased by approximately 8 to 12 percent, signaling a potential decline in Nigeria’s export competitiveness.
SEREC highlights that the country’s export ecosystem is increasingly hindered by delays in processing, inefficient prioritization at port terminals, and logistics issues. These complications particularly impact agro-exports, jeopardizing Nigeria’s broader economic diversification efforts.
“The system remains structurally tilted toward imports,” the report cautioned, emphasizing that neglecting export facilitation could weaken Nigeria’s trade balance over time.
The advisory identifies ports in neighboring Benin Republic and Togo as emerging competitors, noting their lower costs, faster clearance times, and more stable regulatory environments. Ports along the Cotonou-Lomé corridor are quickly attracting cargo destined for Nigeria, supported by efficient transshipment systems and expanding cross-border trucking networks.
SEREC estimates that if current trends continue, between 15 and 25 percent of cargo bound for Nigeria could be rerouted to neighboring ports in 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 warns of revenue losses from decreased customs duties and port charges, distortion of national trade data, job losses within the logistics sector, and a deterioration of the country’s strategic position in maritime trade.
There is growing concern that if these trends persist, Nigeria could transition from a regional maritime hub to merely a market dependent on external port infrastructures.
