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The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has raised alarm over what it describes as a troubling development within Nigeria’s maritime regulatory system, accusing the leadership of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) of allegedly signaling support for shipping companies to increase charges at the nation’s seaports.
The freight forwarding body warned that such a move could undermine ongoing economic reforms of the Federal Government and worsen the already high cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
In a statement issued by its National President, Frank Ogunojemite, APFFLON described the development as “deeply disturbing and economically dangerous,” warning that any encouragement of additional port charges would contradict the cost-reduction objectives of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the association, the alleged position attributed to the Executive Secretary of the NSC, if allowed to stand, could erode public confidence in ongoing port reform efforts and frustrate the Federal Government’s drive to improve Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Ogunojemite said the development comes at a time when the government is pursuing policies aimed at lowering logistics costs, stabilising inflation and repositioning Nigerian ports as competitive gateways for regional trade.
He warned that any increase in shipping charges or operational fees imposed by foreign shipping lines would reverse recent gains in port cost rationalisation and place additional financial pressure on importers and exporters.
The APFFLON president also cautioned that higher port charges could worsen inflationary pressures, cripple small and medium-scale businesses engaged in international trade and weaken Nigeria’s position within the West African maritime corridor.
He stressed that the statutory responsibility of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is to protect Nigerian shippers from exploitative practices by shipping lines, noting that any perceived support for increased charges would contradict the council’s regulatory mandate.
Describing the situation as a matter of national economic concern, Ogunojemite warned that the ripple effects of higher port charges could extend beyond the maritime sector to manufacturing, agriculture and retail supply chains, ultimately affecting the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.
APFFLON therefore called on the leadership of the Shippers’ Council to urgently clarify its position on the alleged development.
The association also urged the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to intervene swiftly to prevent policy contradictions within the maritime sector.
In addition, APFFLON appealed to the Presidency to investigate the matter and ensure that all maritime regulatory agencies remain fully aligned with the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.
According to the association, Nigeria cannot afford regulatory signals that could discourage trade and investment at a time when the country is striving to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business.
APFFLON maintained that it would continue to defend the interests of freight forwarders, shippers and the broader Nigerian economy, warning that it may escalate the issue through appropriate institutional channels if the concerns are not addressed.
