Maritime stakeholders urge urgent taskforce to curb Nigeria’s $9 billion annual sector loss

 

By Abbas Nazil

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have called for the immediate establishment of a dedicated port sector economic taskforce, warning that continued neglect and policy under-enforcement are costing the country over $9 billion annually.

The appeal was made Bolaji Sumola, chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), during a stakeholder meeting in Lagos focused on the effective implementation of Nigeria’s 10-year national policy on the marine and blue economy.

He described the situation as an “economic and patriotic emergency,” citing the loss as a direct consequence of inadequate enforcement of the cabotage act, which is meant to protect and empower indigenous maritime operators.

Sumola urged the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to inaugurate the taskforce within 60 days.

The proposed body, he said, should oversee reforms across both Western and Eastern ports, with quarterly progress reviews and transparent performance benchmarks.

“Our ports must prioritize indigenous participation in shipping, terminal operations, and maritime services,” Sumola said.

“The era of endless analysis is over. It’s time for execution. National companies must be protected and empowered.”

He also highlighted the long cargo dwell time at Nigerian ports as a persistent bottleneck, noting that it undermines trade and adds direct costs to the economy.

He called for the implementation of digital reforms, port community systems, and sustained Customs modernization to reduce cargo dwell time to globally competitive levels.

Sumola emphasized the need for smart, green, and accessible infrastructure upgrades alongside efficient inland logistics to prevent the return of past congestion issues.

He stressed that every hour saved in port operations enhances Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.

The issue of human capital development was also raised, with the NPCC advocating investment in training, scholarships, and apprenticeships to grow careers in logistics, port security, digital operations, and seafaring.

“The future of our ports will be defined by the skills of our workforce,” Sumola stated, insisting the national policy must translate into actionable outcomes for the country’s maritime professionals.

Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy policy, championed by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, is designed to tap into the country’s vast coastal and inland water resources—spanning over 853 kilometers of coastline—to stimulate economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability.

Aminu Umar, president of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), also echoed optimism about the country’s untapped maritime potential. “As a big country, there is so much we can do. But we need to act,” he said.

Environmental concerns were also front and center. Sumola emphasized that clean waterways are crucial not only for sustainability but also for economic activities such as fishing.

Ben Okonkwo, president of the Fishing Trawlers Association of Nigeria, welcomed the policy’s ambition but appealed for more government support and ease of doing business in the fisheries sub-sector.

“We’re beginning to see positive developments,” he acknowledged, adding, “But real success requires collaboration and continuous support from the government.”

Stakeholders agreed that achieving the vision outlined in the marine and blue economy policy will require unified commitment, accountability, and a renewed focus on results that drive long-term economic transformation.