…IMAN Warns of Revenue Loss, Inflation Spike, Economic Downturn …
…Accuses Shipping Firms, Terminal Operators Of Arbitrary Charges …
Daud Olatunji
Importers across Nigeria have begun массовely diverting cargoes to neighbouring West African countries, including Benin Republic, Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso, as the cost of clearing a 40-foot container at Nigerian ports reportedly surged to as high as N20 million.
The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has raised alarm over what it described as an unsustainable increase in shipping line tariffs, terminal charges, and other port-related levies, warning that the trend is making Nigerian ports uncompetitive and driving businesses out of the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the Southwest Zonal Chairman of IMAN, Joseph Ajoku, said the development was forcing importers to abandon Apapa and other Nigerian ports in favour of cheaper and more efficient alternatives in neighbouring countries.
Ajoku said there has been no corresponding improvement in port efficiency or service delivery to justify the repeated tariff hikes introduced within a short period.
According to him, while clearing a 40-foot container in Benin Republic costs between N13 million and N14 million, the same transaction in Nigeria now ranges between N19 million and N20 million.
He added that a 20-foot container costs about N7 million to N8 million in Benin, compared to about N14 million to N15 million at Nigerian ports, describing the disparity as “economically damaging and unsustainable.”
“The rising cost of doing business at Nigerian ports is pushing importers away. We are now seeing a consistent diversion of cargo to neighbouring countries where charges are lower and processes are more efficient,” Ajoku said.
IMAN also accused shipping lines of imposing what it called unapproved and arbitrary charges, including delays in refunding container deposits and the introduction of multiple hidden fees, describing the situation as costing importers billions of naira.
The association further criticised terminal operators over repeated increases in storage and handling fees, particularly on the movement of empty containers to holding bays, despite importers allegedly paying for related services.
Ajoku faulted the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for approving tariff adjustments without adequate stakeholder consultation, insisting that importers who bear the final burden were not properly engaged.
He warned that the current cost structure could trigger broader economic consequences, including business closures, job losses, inflationary pressure, reduced foreign investment, and declining government revenue.
Also speaking, IMAN National Secretary-General, Aliyu Yaradua, said many importers are already struggling to clear consignments due to high exchange rates and escalating port charges, leading to prolonged cargo stay at ports and rising cases of overtime cargo.
Yaradua urged the Nigeria Customs Service to show leniency in handling overtime consignments, noting that many traders financed imports through high-interest loans and are now unable to meet basic financial obligations such as rent, school fees, and loan repayments.
He warned that continued increases in port-related charges could force many importers to suspend operations entirely, a development he said would further weaken Nigeria’s revenue base.
“If importers stop bringing in goods, government revenue will drop significantly within a very short period,” Yaradua cautioned.
IMAN called on relevant regulatory agencies to urgently review port charges, enforce transparency in billing, and ensure that Nigerian ports remain competitive within the West African sub-region.
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