Container Congestion at Lagos Ports Leaves Importers Counting Losses

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have raised concerns that the country is losing billions of naira due to persistent container blockages at Lagos ports, a situation that has triggered outrage and renewed calls for an end to overlapping port clearance procedures involving the Maritime Police.

The stakeholders accused officers of the Maritime Police Command of being responsible for numerous container blockages at the Lagos ports.

Container blockage involves the detention or restriction of cargo containers within the port or logistics chain after arrival for clearance—and in some cases, even after the containers have been cleared by the appropriate authorities—preventing their movement to final destinations.

The allegations were made in Lagos during a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC). Participants at the event, including representatives of freight forwarding associations, truck owners, terminal operators, and importers, claimed that more than 1,500 containers valued at billions of naira are allegedly blocked each month. They said the practice often relies on vessel manifests and results in significant financial losses.

According to the stakeholders, detaining cargo that has already passed examination and received clearance from the Nigeria Customs Service and other government agencies undermines regulatory coordination and weakens process integrity at the ports.

They noted that such delays expose importers to excessive demurrage and storage charges, increase the risk of contract defaults, and damage Nigeria’s reputation among international trading partners.

Speaking at the forum, the General Manager of Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited, Babatunde Keshiro, attributed the problem to a lack of sincerity and the exercise of parallel authority.

He said concerns about cargo should be addressed during examination, stressing that once goods have been cleared and released, there should be no further delays. Keshiro referenced a 2022 Executive Order directing an end to the interception of already cleared containers.

Similarly, the Apapa Chapter Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Emeka Chukwumalu, stated that the Police should bear the cost of demurrage whenever containers are blocked after clearance.

The PTML Chapter Chairman of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Abayomi Duyile, accused shipping companies of facilitating the practice by releasing cargo manifests to the Police, describing the action as illegal and contrary to international shipping standards.

Other contributors, including the President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners, Remi Ogungbemi, and representatives of joint freight forwarding groups, warned that post-clearance container blockages disrupt port operations and shift inefficiencies and costs onto port users.

Responding to the concerns, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, said the council’s engagement with security agencies is aimed solely at protecting cargo interests and ensuring safety within the port environment.

He explained that while the NSC works with the Police on cargo security, it also intervenes when complaints arise, noting that many disputes are resolved through such engagements.

Also speaking, the Head of the NSC Complaints Unit, Bashir Ambi, denied allegations of extortion, stating that the unit does not collect fees for its services. He said the council consistently engages and challenges the Maritime Police over the blocking of containers that have already been cleared.

Ambi urged stakeholders to resist making unreceipted payments and to submit formal petitions with evidence to the NSC for appropriate action.

In response, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Maritime Police Command, Adebayo Rasheed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, defended the practice, saying container blockages are intelligence-driven and necessary for national security.

He cited recent interceptions of arms and illicit drugs concealed in already cleared containers, insisting that security considerations cannot be compromised for trade facilitation. Rasheed also encouraged stakeholders with evidence of extortion to report such cases to the relevant authorities, maintaining that container blocking by the Police remains necessary in the interest of national security.