APFFLON urges Tinubu to slash 7% cargo levy to ease economic hardship

By Steve Agbota

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently slash the 7% surcharge on cargo clearance at Nigeria’s ports, describing the levy as an unbearable strain on businesses and consumers amid worsening economic conditions.

In a letter dated August 11 and signed by its President, Frank Ogunojemite, the association said the surcharge has become “an unsustainable burden” on freight forwarders, importers, and manufacturers at a time when the nation is grappling with soaring inflation, volatile exchange rates, and a rapidly depreciating naira.

“The cost of clearing cargo is at an all-time high, with stakeholders facing unprecedented operational pressure,” Ogunojemite wrote. He questioned the justification for the charge, especially since most port terminals have been concessioned and are under private management.

According to him, port users derive “no direct value or improved services” from the surcharge, yet it continues to inflate import costs, disrupt supply chains, and push legitimate businesses toward financial distress.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s revenue generation and infrastructure development goals, APFFLON warned that imposing additional costs during such a fragile economic period risks “stifling productivity, discouraging formal trade, and fueling inflation.”

To address the situation, Ogunojemite called for “an immediate downward review” of the surcharge to ease the financial burden on the trading community. He further recommended “an audit and clarification of how funds generated from the surcharge are used, to ensure transparency and accountability,” as well as consultations with industry bodies such as APFFLON, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to develop a fair and sustainable port revenue framework.

He also advocated for “a harmonised and transparent port pricing system” to eliminate overlapping levies and reduce bottlenecks in cargo clearance.

“Reducing this surcharge at a time when the economy is ‘bleeding’ will send a strong signal of your commitment to inclusive economic recovery, ease of doing business, and stakeholder engagement,” Ogunojemite told the president.

Reaffirming APFFLON’s readiness to support reforms that prioritise national interest, he said the association remains committed to contributing to the growth and integrity of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sector.