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By Steve Agbota
As activities gradually peak in 2025, maritime stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms to propel the industry forward.
According to them, prioritising 24-hour cargo clearance, stable foreign exchange and improved infrastructure are not just mere demands but factors that will unlock greater efficiency, competitiveness and ultimately setting the stage for a transformed industry.
Their demands come amid the backdrop of the daunting challenges that characterised 2024 as many dubbed it the toughest year ever.
From high, scarce and fluctuating exchange rates to a huge drop in importation, stakeholders had a lot to contend with.
Many clearing agents and importers who could not survive the heat packed up.
Last year, the maritime sector also battled port congestion, high cost of doing business, which affected stakeholders in profound ways.
The seaports struggled with outdated infrastructure, ranging from roads and rail systems to quays, buildings, equipment, and storage yards, rendering operations inefficient.
These issues were further compounded by high insecurity and rampant pilferage, hindering the sector’s growth and productivity.
However, as the new year unfolds, expectations within the maritime industry are soaring, particularly among ship owners, importers, exporters and Customs brokers/freight forwarders.
These stakeholders are calling for key reforms to drive growth and efficiency across the sector.
Central to their demands is the implementation of a national single window regime to streamline operations, alongside the stabilisation of the exchange rate to ensure predictability for businesses. Additionally, they are advocating for 24-hour cargo clearance and delivery, as well as the full implementation of the Cabotage Act, which would enable indigenous shipowners to compete on an equal footing with their foreign counterparts.
These industry leaders also emphasise the need for favourable trade policies that can unlock new opportunities and promote development within the sector. In conversations with Daily Sun, they urged the federal government to focus greater attention on the maritime industry in 2025, with a call for significant investments in modern infrastructure. There is also a pressing demand to repair the collapsed quay at Tin Can Island Port, which has become a major bottleneck, and to create a more conducive environment for investors to inject capital into the sector. The vision is clear: a more efficient, competitive, and investment-friendly maritime industry that can contribute substantially to the nation’s economic growth.
Mr. Ayorinde Adedoyin, a prominent shipowner, shared his insights with Daily Sun, emphasising that the expectations within the maritime industry are vast and varied. He stressed the critical need for the government to make substantial investments in the sector to stimulate job creation and drive growth. Adedoyin further pointed out that the industry can no longer afford to be the subject of mere lip service; it requires genuine, sustained attention and action to unlock its full potential.
“However, the truth is we’ve been at it for a very long time and to me I think we seem to be growing in circles. We always wish and we always pray for the best but the most important thing is how serious is the government taking the maritime sector. I mean the local maritime sector.
“You know, when you look at it internationally, you can hardly not do anything because if you want to grow your economy part of it is that you increase local consumption but also you work on export of your products. And what do you need to do this? You need the waters, you need the maritime industry to transport what you produce either within or outside the country.
“You know we have paid lip service to everything in maritime. We talk about the same thing over and over again and you know we still come back to the same old story. What has the government done to assist the local shipping industry in terms of funding? In the past, they’ve set up funding for the airlines. Whether that worked or didn’t work is not the issue. But what have they done? Even the CVFF that the maritime industry had put in energy and contributed in order to compete in the area of Cabotage trade because CVFF is meant to help the industry grow, has anything been done till date? No!” he lamented.
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He added that discussions around the issue have been ongoing for the past decade, often revolving around whether funds should be disbursed or not.
“The government must find a way to genuinely support the growth of the industry.
“A crucial step is to create an enabling environment that fosters development. This includes ensuring that the Cabotage law is fully implemented, as it has the potential to significantly strengthen and grow the local shipping industry.”
He emphasised that the government must ensure the enforcement of the Cabotage law within the oil production sector, allowing local industries to secure contracts that not only foster business growth but also contribute to the development of the workforce and the community.
“Because when a Nigerian vessel is working you know almost 90 per cent of the workers that would be on that vessel would be Nigerians.
“So, it’s about time we stop lip service and actually focus on what is necessary to develop our shipping industry. Local industry or local companies have not done well in this industry,” he added.
He pointed out that many local industries have lost their assets because they have been unable to secure the right contracts that would allow them to remain viable in the business.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m always complaining. But I’m seriously praying that the government will focus more on the industry especially when it concerns the locals and make sure that Cabotage is seriously enforced because that is the number one instrument that they can use to develop the industry and also the ports,” he explained.
He stressed the importance of increased government investment in port development, ensuring that workers, including dock workers, are guaranteed job security and safe working conditions.
“You know you don’t want to wake up and you keep on reading this one is sacking so-so-so-so that one is sacking so-so-so-so-so. We should be looking at creating employment and an environment to employ more people.
“And when you look at serious countries, you look at it that they invest money in their maritime sector because that is one area that can actually create thousands of jobs every year.
“So, I don’t want to sound like I said a broken record or a serial complainant. So, I just pray that God gives them the willingness to understand how they can develop their industry because that is the only place that I know can create jobs that the country needs at this particular point in time,” he added.
Also speaking with Daily Sun, the former President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto, said his expectations for the maritime industry in 2025 are numerous. “I want us to have a turnaround in the industry, particularly. It is high time the Ministry of the Marine and Blue Economy has what is called proper stakeholder engagement or town hall meetings for everyone in the industry,” he said.
He pointed out that the ministry should also ensure that every area that has either been underutilized or not touched at all is harnessed, adding that the government should have a feedback mechanism, as this is the only way progress can be made.
“And to the CBN, I also want the issue of the money swap, currency deal swap with China, to be brought to the forefront. Since the deal was renewed last December, there should be proper stakeholder engagement and enlightenment for the trading community, either by CBN or through the Ministry of Finance. I see a lot of prospects in this area,” he said.
“It is going to diminish the dominance of the dollar and assist the maritime industry in regaining its strong position. But there must be stakeholder engagement and proper enlightenment from the federal government through their proxies, either CBN or the Ministry of Finance. If CBN finds that the Ministry of Finance is not stepping up, then CBN can engage with the trading community directly.
“There are too many prospects this year because the reforms will start yielding positive results between now and the first quarter of 2025. So, it’s up to us to seize the opportunity. I see great prospects for 2025 if all hands are on deck,” he said. The Managing Director of Sula Marine Global Limited and foremost freight forwarder, Sulaiman Ayokunle, said that stakeholders have high expectations. “However, we must be mindful that the maritime industry is not isolated from the broader economy. It’s still an environment that operates within Nigeria’s economic framework. Having stated that, our expectation is for 24-hour cargo delivery. For this to happen, all operators must be involved — shipping, terminals, customs, NAFDAC, SON, and many others.”
“Now, we have what is called a single window, which is supposed to serve the purpose of streamlining processes so that any required documentation can be completed before the arrival of the consignment.
