NPCC Calls for Acceleration of Port Reforms to Safeguard Nigeria’s Regional Trade Position

The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) has reiterated its commitment to driving port sector transformation, warning that failure to consolidate ongoing reforms could see Nigeria lose its regional trade dominance to neighboring West African countries.

Speaking at an industry dialogue hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), NPCC joined other key stakeholders in emphasizing the urgency of advancing digital transformation, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and improving port-to-hinterland connectivity.

In a statement delivered on behalf of NPCC Chairman, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, maritime lawyer and NPCC Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), underscored the Council’s strong support for full-scale digitization of port operations.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) digital drive—particularly the push for a Port Community System—is a significant step forward. NPCC sees this as critical infrastructure that must be fully deployed if Nigeria’s ports are to compete globally,” Sunmola stated.

Drawing inspiration from high-performing ports like Singapore and Rotterdam, NPCC urged swift implementation of the National Single Window and the integration of artificial intelligence for berth and cargo tracking. Sunmola also emphasized the role of public-private collaboration in sustaining port modernization.

“Shared innovation between the government and the private sector is the foundation of globally successful port systems. NPCC is committed to being that bridge—ensuring alignment, accountability, and momentum,” he added.

The forum featured a robust conversation on how to preserve recent port reform gains, with NPCC positioned as a central stakeholder in advancing policies that promote cost efficiency, transparency, and trade facilitation.

Representatives from the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and the Abuja MoU on Port State Control echoed NPCC’s call for a coordinated, tech-enabled port ecosystem.

The conversation was anchored in the broader context of Nigeria’s trade ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa stressing that inefficiencies at the ports currently cost the Nigerian economy over ₦2.5 trillion annually.

“With stronger infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and continued partnership with stakeholders like NPCC, Nigeria can reclaim its position as a regional logistics hub,” Idahosa said.

As the Council continues its strategic engagements, including recent partnerships with global port organizations and its newly inaugurated Board of Trustees, NPCC reaffirmed its role as a key driver of Nigeria’s maritime future—championing innovation, stakeholder dialogue, and reform sustainability.