FG Targets Under-7-Day Cargo Clearance at Nigerian Ports by 2026 – Shettima Unveils Port Efficiency Reforms
The Federal Government has set a bold target to reduce cargo clearance time at Nigerian ports to less than seven days by the end of 2026, aiming to position the nation among Africa’s top three most efficient trade gateways. Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Thursday during the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, reaffirming the government’s commitment to overhaul port operations and boost trade competitiveness.
Shettima announced that the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, scheduled for rollout in the first quarter of 2026, would be a “game changer” in the cargo clearance process. The platform will harmonise documentation, reduce human interference, and ensure greater transparency in port operations. He emphasised that the reform will drastically cut delays, curb corruption, and make Nigeria a preferred logistics hub in West Africa.
The Vice President expressed concern that cargo dwell time in Nigerian ports currently averages between 18 and 21 days, compared to five to seven days in Ghana and four days in Cotonou, the Benin Republic. “These inefficiencies cost our economy investments, increase consumer prices, and weaken export competitiveness,” Shettima said, adding that the Executive Order on Joint Physical Inspection, now awaiting President Tinubu’s approval, will drive inter-agency collaboration and eliminate redundant checks that slow trade.
To strengthen accountability and efficiency, Shettima directed agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), NAFDAC, and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to jointly develop a roadmap for modernising Nigeria’s weights and measures framework. He underscored that accurate measurement systems are vital for consumer protection, transparency, and investor confidence. “The era of siloed operations must end. Inter-agency rivalry must give way to synergy,” he warned.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the reforms, urging collaboration and technology-driven innovation. PEBEC Director-General Princess Zahrah Audu highlighted the high cost of inefficiency on trade, while NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho called for stronger partnerships among port agencies. In a related development, former Anambra governor Peter Obi advised the government to decentralise port development beyond Lagos to curb congestion and promote equitable maritime growth nationwide.
source: Nairametrics