APAPA, Nigeria — Nov. 19, 2025 — The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigeria Police Maritime Command have initiated joint efforts to streamline port operations and mitigate delays stemming from human factors.
The continued routine delays in cargo clearance at Nigerian seaports are negatively impacting business and increasing costs for stakeholders. The average dwell time of 21 days is significantly higher than Singapore’s 6 hours and Lome’s 7 days.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council Executive Secretary Akutah Pius Ukeyima emphasized the Maritime Police’s strategic role in trade facilitation and interference mitigation during the workshop, which was themed: ”Facilitating Port Efficiency: The Strategic Role of the Police.’
Highlighting the collaboration between NSC and the Maritime Police Command since the Council’s appointment as Port Economic Regulator, the workshop aimed to build capacity among police officers to understand and effectively administer their statutory roles within the maritime environment.
Dr. Akutah, represented by Mrs. Margaret Ogbonnah, the Director of the Regulatory Services Department at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, noted that despite government efforts to reduce cargo dwell time, human-induced disruptions like unsolicited detention orders and intimidation at port terminals persist.
Akutah stressed that these practices—often carried out without the knowledge of senior police officials—hamper cargo flow and escalate costs through extended demurrage and storage charges.
During the sessions, critical stakeholders offered their professional views regarding the workshop’s outcomes.
In a statement, AMATO National Secretary Muhammed Sani Bala commended the crucial role of maritime police in port corridor operations, stating that their involvement enhances operational efficiency for truck owners.
Alhaji Nofiu Inaolaji, Managing Director of Harlink Investment, also addressed the workshop. He advocated for capacity development within the NSC’s Complaints Unit to manage their demanding role in mediating and settling disputes.
The Head of the Complaints Unit, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Bashir Ambi, spoke at the workshop regarding the Council’s activities. He called on stakeholders to take full advantage of the Complaints Unit’s mediation services.
“Following robust engagements with the Inspector General of Police, the authorities have put in place measures to streamline police operations at ports, including directives to disregard unauthorized correspondence related to container detentions.
“The current focus is on comprehensive capacity development for maritime police officers to align operations with international best practices and enhance Nigeria’s port competitiveness”
The workshop concluded with appreciation for organizers and a call for continued efforts to enhance port efficiency and reduce cargo clearance time, ultimately lowering the cost of business at Nigerian ports and improving the nation’s global trade standing.
Earlier, in his welcome address, AIG Maritime Police Command Chinedu Oko commended the Council’s consistent commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration, enhancing operational standards, and supporting law enforcement capacity within the maritime domain.
AIG Oko, who was represented by DCP Chukwuemeka Obasi, pointed out that the training is both timely and strategic, adding that “we are reminded that modern port security goes far beyond policing in the traditional sense”.
“The efficiency of our ports (both Western and Eastern Commands) depends significantly on how effectively law enforcement interfaces with port operators, regulatory agencies, terminal managers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and the wider supply-chain community.
“The Maritime Police, as a specialised arm of the Nigeria Police Force, plays a critical role in securing maritime assets, mitigating threats, combating cargo-related crimes, preventing pilferage and vandalism, and ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate trade.
“Our mandate is not just to enforce the law but also to protect the economic lifeblood of our nation. Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime economy is influenced greatly by the level of safety, predictability, and confidence that stakeholders experience at our ports.
“This is why continuous training is essential. The operational landscape is evolving, new technologies, changing criminal patterns, multimodal logistics, and international compliance requirements all demand that our officers become smarter, more proactive, better informed, and better equipped.
Through this programme, participants will gain valuable insights into modern port operations, cargo handling procedures, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and best practices for promoting trade facilitation while maintaining robust security.”he noted.
He urged participating officers to take full advantage of the knowledge offered, calling on them to engage actively, ask questions, and apply the lessons in their daily assignments.”The AIG emphasized the Council’s role as a vital partner in fostering a secure and efficient port environment. ‘We deeply value the collaboration between our institutions, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership to ensure that our ports operate at global standards,” he added.
“He also directed all key stakeholders to disregard any correspondence without the signature of the AIG or officers nominated by him.
“Together, we have achieved quite a lot, although we cannot rest on the past achievements because some of these infractions still occur either deliberately or due to ignorance on the part of the officers involved. Our main focus has to be firmly on attaining international best practices.
Also speaking, Assistant Commissioner of Police Administration, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Olufikayo Fawole, described the Maritime Police as a specialized arm of the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that the police play a critical role in securing maritime assets, mitigating threats, combating cargo-related crimes, preventing pilferage and vandalism, and ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate trade.
“Our mandate is not just to enforce the law but also to protect the economic lifeblood of our nation. Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime economy is greatly influenced by the level of safety, predictability, and confidence that stakeholders experience at our ports.
“This is why continuous training is essential. The operational landscape is evolving; new technologies, changing criminal patterns, multimodal logistics, and international compliance requirements all demand that our officers become smarter, more proactive, better informed, and better equipped.
“Through this program, participants will gain valuable insights into modern port operations, cargo handling procedures, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and best practices for promoting trade facilitation while maintaining robust security.
“As we build a more secure port system, we also contribute to national prosperity, economic stability, and Nigeria’s overall competitiveness in global trade.”
In his presentation earlier, the Registrar of the NAGAFF Academy, Mr. Francis Omotosho, spoke extensively on the strategic role of maritime police in trade facilitation. According to him, maritime police play strategic roles in trade facilitation and port efficiency primarily by ensuring a secured and stable environment, which reduces risks, minimizes disruptions and delays, and builds confidence among stakeholders in global supply chains.
Also, in his presentation, the Comptroller of Customs, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, represented byDeputy Comptroller Henry Eromobor explained that the presentation aimed to acquaint participants with the critical issues involved in managing the dichotomy between cargo clearance and national security checks, with a view to making recommendations. He was represented by Deputy Comptroller of Customs (Administration), DC H.A. Eromobor. The presentation covered the safety framework of standards, challenges, and general safety. There were also contributions from the participants.
In his submission, the National Secretary of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Muhammed Sani, urged stakeholders to support the operational activities of the Maritime Police at the ports.
The Managing Director of Harlink Investment, Alhaji Nofiu Inaolaji, stressed the need for capacity development for the Council’s Complaints Unit.
The Head of the Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi, spoke on the activities of his department while calling on all stakeholders to utilize the platform. Other stakeholders also spoke to the Shippers’ Council during the program.
