Customs agents call for one efficient deep-sea hub in Nigeria

The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents has urged the Federal Government to focus on developing an efficient deep-sea port capable of handling Nigeria’s cargo and transshipment business. The council’s national president, Lucky Amiwero, made the call in Lagos on Monday during an event marking his 73rd birthday. He said establishing or maintaining multiple ports without adequate infrastructure and cargo destinations was contributing to inefficiencies in the maritime sector.

Amiwero called for a committee of maritime experts to review the country’s port system, including Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port and Calabar Port. He said the review should produce a system that would help Nigeria compete more effectively with countries in West and Central Africa. He argued that Nigeria was losing transit and transshipment cargo to Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Côte d’Ivoire.

Amiwero said Nigeria had a large share of cargo in the sub-region but was not benefiting sufficiently because its ports were not operating efficiently. He used Ghana’s smaller port system as a comparison, saying its throughput was higher because of efficiency. The customs agents’ leader said Nigeria should concentrate on one major deep-sea facility serving as a transshipment and load centre.

He also questioned aspects of Lekki Deep Sea Port’s rail connectivity and its ability to handle the largest container vessels. He urged authorities to rely on maritime professionals rather than politicians when changing the sector. Amiwero further criticised political interference in port and customs operations and called for clarity over concession and lease arrangements.

He said additional ports would not automatically attract cargo unless industries, markets and transport links existed to support them. He also urged the government to harmonise the work of maritime stakeholders under a clear legal framework.