Listen to story here
Amid the already tensed Nigerian economic polity stirred by the new tax regime, the nation’s busiest seaports in Lagos may suffer a shutdown as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Western Zone, has strongly criticised the planned increment of local charges by shipping companies, describing it as arbitrary, ill-timed and unjustifiable.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, the Coordinator, ANLCA Western Zone, Alhaji Femi Anifowose, disclosed that several shipping companies are set to commence new wave of charges, singling out the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) for its 30 percent increase on Import Documentation fees and a 60 percent hike on Port Additional Charges, with effect from January 1, 2026.
Anifowose said the association has formally called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently direct the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, alongside relevant regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), to halt the planned increment.
According to him, the shipping lines have failed to give stakeholders sufficient notice or justification for the new charges, noting that key economic indices often cited by shipping companies such as diesel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and foreign exchange have largely stabilised over the past 18 months.
“There is absolutely no reasonable basis for these increments at this time. Fuel prices and forex pressures have eased considerably, yet shipping lines continue to impose fresh charges on importers and agents without transparency,” Anifowose said.
He further revealed that MSC issued what he described as an impromptu invitation to a stakeholders’ meeting on December 23, 2025, scheduling the meeting for December 30, 2025, during which the new charges were announced to take effect within 48 hours (January 1st, 2026).
Anifowose criticised the timing of the meeting, arguing that it was deliberately fixed at a period when many importers, freight forwarders and relevant government agencies would be unavailable to attend or meaningfully engage.
“The so-called stakeholders’ meeting was neither inclusive nor consultative. Many critical stakeholders were absent, yet far-reaching decisions affecting the entire port system were announced,” he lamented.
ANLCA Western Zone is therefore demanding an immediate postponement of the new charges, insisting that any review of shipping costs must follow proper and holistic engagement involving freight forwarders, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, shippers and other key industry players.
The association also issued a stern warning that continued imposition of what it termed “unilateral and exploitative charges” could provoke strong resistance from freight agents.
“If this trend continues unchecked, freight forwarders may be left with no option but to withdraw their services or embark on protests across the ports,” Anifowose warned.
He urged the federal government to act decisively to protect port users and ensure fairness, transparency and sustainability in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector.
A copy of the MSC revised charges cited by News Diet showed an increase in Import Documentation Fee for 20ft containers from N45,000 to N58,500 while 40ft levies for the same service increased from N72,000 to N93,600. Meanwhile, Port Additional Charges for 20ft hiked from N50,000 to N80,000 and 40ft container cost moved from N100,000 to N160,000. MSC indicated in the document that the new charges will be implemented from January 1st, 2026.
Some ANLCA chieftains including the ANLCA Western Zone Secretary, Alhaji Idowu Owoade; ANLCA National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Oyeme; Chairman, ANLCA Tincan Island Port Chapter, Prince Olawale Cole; Chairman of KLT Chapter of ANLCA, Chief Ahmed Olajide Bello; attended the press briefing.
