FG targets faster port cargo clearance reform

FG port cargo clearance reform aims to cut dwell time to under seven days by 2026 through digital systems and port upgrades

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious reform to cut cargo dwell time at the nation’s ports to less than seven days by 2026, anchored on the rollout of a National Single Window and large-scale port modernisation.

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The disclosure was made in Abuja on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in a media brief issued by the Office of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, with details provided by Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ogho Okiti.

According to the statement, Nigeria currently records an average cargo dwell time of between 18 and 21 days, significantly above the global benchmark of four days, largely due to inefficiencies in documentation and regulatory processes.

The government said the FG port cargo clearance reform is designed to align Nigeria with international standards by addressing systemic bottlenecks that slow trade flows and increase costs.

Officials explained that about 73 per cent of delays at Nigerian ports stem from transaction processes, including documentation, customs procedures, and regulatory approvals, rather than physical infrastructure limitations.

To tackle this, the National Single Window will introduce a unified digital platform enabling electronic submission of licences, permits, and certificates, alongside digital manifest processing, centralised risk management, and transparent electronic payments.

The reform is expected to reduce human interface, improve transparency, and create predictable timelines for cargo clearance, marking a decisive shift towards efficiency in port operations.

Alongside the digital initiative, the government is upgrading key port infrastructure, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, which together handle about 70 per cent of the country’s trade volume.

The upgrades are aimed at addressing congestion, inefficient cargo handling, and outdated facilities, thereby improving turnaround time for vessels and trucks.

The statement stressed that both reforms must work in tandem to achieve meaningful results, noting that digital efficiency without physical upgrades would be undermined by existing bottlenecks, while infrastructure improvements alone would not resolve documentation delays.

The government added that the reforms are expected to lower logistics costs, enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian exports, and boost overall trade volumes.

Authorities also dismissed concerns surrounding the port upgrade partnership, stating that the initiative would deliver modern infrastructure, reduce congestion, create jobs, and attract investment into the sector.

The reform forms part of the broader economic strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at improving the ease of doing business, strengthening macroeconomic stability, and driving medium-term economic growth.

In a related development, the Nigeria Customs Service confirmed that Phase One of the National Single Window is scheduled for rollout on March 27, 2026, signalling the start of implementation.

The initiative is further supported by a £746m export finance agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting with President Tinubu at 10 Downing Street, aimed at redeveloping key port infrastructure in Lagos.

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The government described the combined reforms as a turning point in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, with the potential to deliver end-to-end efficiency across the maritime value chain.

Quadri Olaitan