IMAN Raises Concern As Container Clearance Costs Surge To N15 Million
The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has expressed concern over the rising cost of clearing cargo at Nigerian seaports, revealing that importers now spend as much as ₦14 million to ₦15 million to clear a 20-foot container at Apapa Port in Lagos.
According to the association, the same container can be cleared in neighbouring Benin Republic for between ₦7 million and ₦8 million, highlighting what it described as a significant cost disadvantage for Nigerian ports.
Speaking in Apapa, Lagos, IMAN’s South-West Chairman, Joseph Ajoku, said the growing gap in clearance costs is encouraging many Nigerian importers to route their cargo through ports in countries such as Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo, where charges are lower and port operations are perceived to be more efficient.
Ajoku attributed the rising costs partly to recent tariff increases introduced by shipping companies and terminal operators. He warned that the development could increase the cost of imported goods, place additional pressure on businesses and contribute to inflationary trends across the country.
He further disclosed that clearing a 40-foot container in Benin Republic currently costs between ₦13 million and ₦14 million, while importers in Nigeria spend approximately ₦19 million to ₦20 million for the same process at Apapa Port.
According to IMAN, the high operating costs at Nigerian ports continue to weaken the country’s competitiveness within the West African maritime sector.
The association noted that several neighbouring countries have made notable progress in improving port efficiency and service delivery, making them increasingly attractive destinations for importers seeking lower operational costs.
Also commenting on the issue, IMAN’s National General Secretary, Aliyu Yar’adua, stressed the importance of importers to Nigeria’s economy, noting that the sector remains a major contributor to government revenue outside the oil industry.
He described importers as a critical component of economic activity and urged policymakers to create a more supportive business environment for the sector.
Yar’adua also called on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to suspend further tariff increases and ensure that importers are adequately consulted before approving any adjustments to shipping and terminal charges.
The association warned that unless urgent measures are taken to address rising port costs, more importers may continue diverting cargo to neighbouring countries, potentially reducing business activity and revenue generation at Nigerian ports.
