The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has warned that sharply higher fees for clearing cargo at Nigerian ports are pushing importers to reroute shipments to other West African markets, raising concerns that the cost squeeze will intensify inflation and add pressure to an already strained import sector.
IMAN said it now costs between N14 million and N15 million to clear a 20-foot container through Apapa Port in Lagos, compared with roughly N7 million to N8 million in Cotonou, Benin. The association pointed to the large gap in charges as a key driver behind the diversion of cargoes to nearby countries including Benin, Ghana and Togo, where port costs are described as lower and services more efficient.
IMAN highlights widening cost gaps at West African ports
In an interview in Apapa, Lagos, Joseph Ajoku, IMAN’s South West chairman, criticised recent increases in tariffs levied by shipping companies and terminal operators. He warned that the trend could feed into higher consumer prices and make it harder for import businesses to operate profitably.
Ajoku also compared container clearance costs for Benin and Nigeria. He said clearing a 40-foot container in Benin Republic currently costs between N13 million and N14 million, while the same size container attracts between N19 million and N20 million at Nigerian ports.
IMAN argued that elevated operating expenses at Nigerian ports are eroding the country’s competitiveness within the West African sub-region. The association said smaller economies—including Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso—have been improving operational efficiency and service delivery.
To illustrate the disparity, IMAN said a 20-foot container in Benin Republic can be cleared at approximately N7 million to N8 million, against N14 million to N15 million at Apapa Port. It added that a 40-foot container costs about N13 million to N14 million to clear in Benin, while Apapa charges for the same container are around N19 million to N20 million.
Importers warn higher charges could worsen prices; call for consultation
Aliyu Yar’adua, IMAN’s national general secretary, said importers are a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy and stressed that the sector plays an important role in revenue generation for the government.
Yar’adua said import activity is critical to sustaining economic momentum, noting that beyond oil, importers are what keeps the country moving and supports government revenue.
He urged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to pause any further tariff increases and ensure proper consultations with importers before approving changes to shipping and terminal charges, warning that additional hikes could deepen the cost burden faced by businesses relying on imports.
