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The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), alongside key industry stakeholders, has outlined practical steps to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector as part of efforts to enhance trade competitiveness and drive economic growth.
Speaking at a forum themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Maritime & Logistics Potential for Trade Competitiveness and Economic Growth,” Deputy President of NBCC, Akin Osuntoki, who represented the chamber’s president, Prince Abimbola Olashore, said the initiative underscores the chamber’s commitment to deepening trade and investment ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Osuntoki noted that the maritime and logistics sector accounts for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s international trade. However, he identified persistent challenges such as port congestion, poor infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, and high logistics costs as major constraints limiting the sector’s full potential. He stressed that addressing these issues is critical to improving efficiency, lowering trade costs, and positioning Nigeria as a leading trade hub in Africa.
He added that with opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the need for a more efficient and integrated logistics ecosystem has become increasingly urgent. According to him, strengthening the sector would not only boost trade but also stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance competitiveness.
Also speaking, the Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Tola Odeyemi, described the forum as timely, noting that Nigeria is at a crucial stage in redefining its logistics and trade architecture. She emphasized that the efficiency of the maritime and logistics sector has a direct impact on trade flows, cost of goods, and overall economic performance.
Odeyemi said NIPOST is repositioning itself beyond traditional postal services to play a more active role in last-mile delivery, e-commerce logistics, and national distribution networks. She explained that the agency’s vision is to build a technology-driven logistics backbone that supports businesses, particularly SMEs, and strengthens Nigeria’s participation in regional and global trade.
“As we all recognize,
addressing longstanding challenges, ranging from port congestion and infrastructure deficits to regulatory
inefficiencies, is not optional; it is imperative.”
In his presentation, President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said Nigeria’s logistics sector is at a defining moment. Despite the country’s large population, strategic location, and economic potential, he noted that inefficiencies in the supply chain result in losses estimated at 30 to 40 per cent of GDP annually.
Oyeyemi stressed that developing a competitive logistics ecosystem is not only an economic necessity but also a matter of national security. He urged Nigeria to leverage AfCFTA to expand non-oil exports, drive industrialisation, and harness opportunities in the digital economy.
He further highlighted the urgent need to address infrastructure gaps across roads, rail, and ports, while also investing in human capital development to build a skilled workforce capable of driving transformation in the sector.
He called for stronger collaboration among government at all levels, the private sector, investors, academia, and development partners to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s maritime and logistics industry.
“To build Nigeria logistics future requires collaboration between federal and state governments; private sector and investors; professional bodies; development partners, academia and research.”
Kingsley Igwe, Registrar and CEO, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) said Nigeria’s maritime potential is not in doubt, adding however, potential alone does not guarantee prosperity.
” It is the systems we build, the efficiency we achieve, and the policies we implement that determine whether we progress or remain stagnant.”
He said Nigeria occupies a strategic position along the Gulf of Guinea, one of the most commercially active maritime corridors in Africa. This location he added provides direct access to major East–West global shipping routes, placing the country at a natural advantage in international trade.
“In addition, Nigeria enjoys strong connectivity to landlocked countries in West and Central Africa, such as Niger and Chad. This positions the country to serve as a regional transshipment and distribution hub.”
He was optimistic that with the right systems and infrastructure in place, Nigeria can leverage these advantages to drive trade efficiency, boost economic growth, and strengthen its role as a maritime powerhouse in Africa.
Adelana Olamilekan, Chairman, Logistics Committee, NBCC, emphasized that Nigeria must strengthen its maritime systems to fully harness the advantages.
“It becomes necessary to improve trade facilitation and port efficiency.
“Accordingly, this positions Nigeria as a potential regional hub, if properly managed.”
He said the solution is not in drawing new maps of the nation—we already have those in abundance.
“The real answer lies in how effectively we convert potential into performance.
“It comes down to quality, precision, and alignment. Our people are active, but are they creating value? Our systems are evolving, but are they aligned with national goals? These are difficult questions, but they are necessary ones.
“The maritime and logistics sector is not merely a support function; it is a critical engine room of the economy. Every delay at the ports, every inefficiency in cargo movement, and every inconsistency in revenue collection directly impacts national productivity and global competitiveness.
“If we are truly serious about building the future, then minor adjustments will not be enough. What is required is a fundamental shift—from fragmentation to coordination, from isolated efficiency to system-wide performance, and from working in silos to integrated action.”
