The Nigerian Federal Government has officially launched the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC), a key initiative aimed at transforming the operations of the country’s seaports. This effort is a joint collaboration between the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
At the inauguration in Lagos, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Zahrah Audu, Director-General of PEBEC, underscored the importance of the reform, stressing that Nigeria loses approximately N2.5 billion daily—equating to about N912.5 billion annually—due to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and bureaucratic delays at the ports. The PCEC’s focus, Shettima emphasized, goes beyond identifying problems and extends to implementing actionable solutions that will improve the efficiency of Nigerian ports.
The key goals of the PCEC include:
- Reducing cargo dwell time
- Accelerating vessel turnaround
- Eliminating redundant paperwork
These measures aim to enhance customer satisfaction and contribute to economic growth by making port operations more efficient.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director/CEO of NPA, outlined the committee’s four critical pillars for revitalizing Nigerian ports:
- Investment in infrastructure
- Investment in equipment
- Technology upgrades
- Human capacity development
Dantsoho highlighted that major ports such as Apapa and Tin Can Island have been lacking in significant rehabilitation for many years, but government approvals for reconstruction are set to change that. He also mentioned the collaboration between NPA and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to implement the Port Community System (PCS), a digital backbone for the National Single Window. This system is designed to reduce paperwork, minimize human interface, and improve transparency and efficiency within port operations.
In terms of human capital development, the NPA is working on training pilots and technical personnel to meet the demands of modern port operations.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Customs Service is introducing initiatives like the Time Release Study (TRS) and the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, which aim to streamline cargo clearance, enhance trade facilitation, and improve supply chain security. These measures have already led to reductions in cargo dwell time and ship waiting times.
In support of these reforms, stakeholders—including the Navy and Customs officials—have pledged their commitment. They emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, continued investment, and robust security to attract foreign investment and ensure smooth port operations.
With the PCEC now in action, Nigeria’s maritime sector is positioned to unlock its full potential, contributing to sustainable economic growth and establishing the country’s seaports as competitive hubs in the region.
