24-Hour Port Operations in Nigeria: Experts Call for Strong Political Will and Infrastructure Upgrade
Industry Leaders Gather to Address Challenges in Achieving Round-the-Clock Port Activities
Lagos, Nigeria – The dream of 24-hour port operations in Nigeria remains within reach, but only with decisive political action and improved infrastructure, according to maritime experts speaking at a recent industry forum. The Fifth Town Hall meeting organized by JournalNG brought together key stakeholders to address one of Nigeria’s most pressing trade facilitation challenges.
The Political Will Factor
Dr. Eugene Nweke, former President of the Nigeria Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), didn’t mince words when he stated: “24-hour port operations is achievable if government would give a clear order to the effect.” His statement cut to the heart of the matter during the Lagos gathering.
“Government should establish a regulatory agency to supervise port operations accurately for monitoring and evaluation,” Nweke continued. “Once everyone knows what to do, operators will be guided. It will not be a situation where government issues port order without monitoring and no enforcement.”
The maritime veteran emphasized that achieving this milestone requires more than just policy pronouncements. “We need a political will to drive our ports for 24-hour operations in Nigeria,” he asserted, highlighting the need for both government agencies and port stakeholders to view the transformation as an economic necessity rather than optional improvement.
Collaboration as Key to Success
Nweke stressed that successful implementation would require unprecedented collaboration. “Partnership among stakeholders would enable both government and port users achieve 24-hour port operations,” he noted, calling for the removal of any identified bottlenecks through appropriate sanctions where necessary.
The infrastructure deficit received particular attention in discussions. “Port communities are meant for commercial activities,” Nweke reminded attendees, “adding that necessary infrastructure should be considered in the ports to avoid unnecessary human element.” His call for infrastructure improvements aimed at making Nigerian ports more attractive and customer-friendly resonated throughout the forum.
From Aspiration to Necessity
Bolaji Sunmola, Chairman of the Nigeria Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), elevated the discussion by framing 24-hour operations as an imperative rather than an aspiration. “With a carefully sequenced strategy anchored on technology, sustainability, and stakeholder alignment,” Sunmola proposed, “Nigerian ports could be positioned as efficient, secure, and economically transformative assets.”
The NPCC chairman extended an open invitation to all stakeholders—including government agencies, terminal operators, energy providers, transport unions, and investors—to join in executing this transformation. His vision suggested a comprehensive approach that moves beyond piecemeal solutions.
Customs Leads by Example
Providing a glimmer of hope, Assistant Comptroller Abass Oladepo of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) shared progress from the frontline. “Customs had been operating 24 hours port operations,” he revealed, citing the Ports and Terminal Multi Services Ltd. (PTML) command as a case study where they’ve achieved an average clearance time of under six hours, with some processes completed in just two hours.
The town hall meeting also served to sensitize stakeholders about the Customs’ transformation initiative known as ‘B’Odogwu’, encouraging importers to embrace honest declarations to facilitate faster cargo clearance—sometimes in mere minutes when all requirements are properly met.
Operational Hurdles and Solutions
Mark Walsh, Managing Director of ENL Consortium, brought a terminal operator’s perspective to the discussion. He highlighted banking operations as a critical bottleneck, urging Nigerian banks involved in port clearance to improve their services to prevent payment-related delays.
Walsh commended ongoing modernization efforts by the Federal Government and Nigerian Ports Authority but identified a glaring infrastructure gap: “There was need for 24-hour lighting at the ports, to stop them from running generators 24/7.” His observation about security concerns during night operations due to inadequate lighting underscored the multifaceted nature of the challenge.
Technology as an Enabler
Ahmed Ogunsola, General Manager of the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), emphasized technology’s role in the solution matrix. The TMP, working closely with the NCS, focuses on enhancing cargo clearance through technological backbone development, capacity building, and sustainability initiatives.
“24-hour port operations was achievable with the collaboration of port users,” Ogunsola affirmed, revealing that the TMP’s agreement with the Federal Government includes provision of 67 scanners, with five already imported to modernize Customs operations and facilitate trade.
The Road Ahead
In his opening remarks, JournalNG magazine publisher Ismail Aniemu had set the stage for constructive dialogue. “The forum gave stakeholders opportunity to interact and come with recommendations to guide government in policy making,” he noted, advocating for the transformation of Nigerian ports into smart ports leveraging local expertise.
Aniemu observed that some port users already operate round-the-clock, proving the concept’s viability. “There was need for it to be sustained collectively,” he concluded, capturing the collaborative spirit needed to turn Nigeria’s port modernization dreams into reality.
As Nigeria grapples with trade facilitation challenges, the consensus from industry leaders is clear: achieving 24-hour port operations requires not just political will and infrastructure investment, but a fundamental reimagining of port operations through technology, stakeholder collaboration, and relentless focus on removing bottlenecks at every level of the supply chain.
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