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Freight agents under the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have faulted Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Executive Secretary, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima MON, over NSC’s approval for the recent increment in shipping charges without stakeholder consultation.
ANLCA President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji, made the call on Monday after freight agents, led by ANLCA Western Zone Coordinator Alhaji Femi Anifowose, shut down business operations and met with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) leadership in Apapa for a dialogue that ended in a deadlock.
ANLCA shut down operations at MSC Apapa office amid protests over the increment with the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) also joining the demonstration which started at 1:35pm and continued until close of business on Monday.
The revised MSC charges include: Import Documentation Fee: 20ft containers from N45,000 to N58,500; 40ft from N72,000 to N93,600. Port Additional Charges for 20ft hiked from N50,000 to N80,000; 40ft from N100,000 to N160,000.
During a 45-minute dialogue with freight forwarders, including NAGAFF and APFFLON executives, MSC Africa Regional Controller, Finance and Administration, Mr. Jesse Chege, said the increment had been deliberated over a 2-year period with NSC before obtaining the Council’s approval in December 2025. He cited rising business costs as justification for the increment.
He equally lamented that the shipping company has lost over 1500 empty containers in Nigeria, a problem which has affected the company’s global operations.
At the meeting, ANLCA, NAGAFF, and APFFLON executives criticized NSC for failing to engage freight forwarders, even as they demanded that MSC reverts to old charges until proper consultations occur.
Hours later, the ANLCA President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji in a message delivered by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Onyeme said: “On what grounds can the NSC Executive Secretary authorize this increase? The meeting proved the shipping companies only backing is NSC approval. Shippers’ Council under his leadership has failed Nigeria.
“Dr. Akutah has done nothing about containers littering port access roads or the lengthy MSC container refund process. We reject this increment and call on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to relieve the NSC boss of his duties.”
Meanwhile, Alhaji Femi Anifowose earlier observed that previous shipping line tariffs rose over 400% in 2023, questioning why MSC had discussed another hike with NSC over two years.
He warned that port-related costs ultimately burden consumers and spark inflation in an import-dependent economy like Nigeria.
Also speaking, the NAGAFF Tincan Chapter Chairman, Dr. Emeka Chiedozie, described MSC’s refund policy as the worst in Nigeria, noting freight forwarders often wait months for refunds due to space constraints.
Other attendees included ANLCA Western Zone Secretary Alhaji Idowu Owoade; ANLCA Tincan Island Port Chapter Chairman, Prince Olawale Cole; KLT ANLCA Chapter Chairman, Chief Ahmed Olajide Bello; former ANLCA Tin Can Chapter Chairman, Mr. Ojo Peter Akintoye; and APFFLON Tincan Chairman, Alhaji Akeem Aribiojo.
Efforts to reach Dr. Akutah were unsuccessful until press time, though NSC spokesperson, Mrs. Rebecca Adamu stated stakeholder engagement is being planned.
The protests are expected to continue on Tuesday as the freight forwarding groups directed their members to withdraw their services and reconvene daily at the MSC Apapa office for peaceful protests until their demands are met.
