By Steve Agbota
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways to trade, commerce and economic development.
However, balancing revenue generation with long-term infrastructure growth remains a pressing challenge.
In this interview, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Mr Bolaji Sunmola, shares insights on the need for strategic investments, sustainable port development and why prioritising expansion over short-term revenue gains is key to unlocking the nation’s maritime potential.
With increasing competition from ports in Togo, Ghana, and the Republic of Benin, he stressed the urgent need for Nigeria’s maritime sector to reinforce its position as the preferred gateway for shippers.
Expressing concern, he noted that despite Nigeria’s vast consumer market, the country has yet to fully harness its economic potential. While Nigeria remains the dominant consumption hub in West Africa, he lamented that it is failing to capitalize on the lucrative opportunities tied to trade and port operations, allowing regional competitors to seize the advantage.
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What are the top priorities for the NPCC regarding the Nigerian maritime sector?
In the NPCC, a competitive and efficient Nigerian port sector is what we envision. You are not surprised when you see us complaining about Lome, Togo—maybe now Ghana, I don’t know. It’s because we are not competitive enough, and our ports are not busy because we are not competitive enough. Other ports are emerging; some developments are underway, so it’s high time for Nigeria to sit up and measure up to this.
From the perspective of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, all that we do is drive economic growth. Our focus is on ensuring continuous improvement in service delivery at our ports because, ultimately, it’s all about service. If we fail to deliver quality service, then we will have missed it. God forbid, but I hope our ports will not become museum centers in the future.
Port consultative efforts are about driving growth, ensuring competitiveness, ensuring the right measures are in place, fostering cooperation across all sectors, and ensuring that government policies align with forward-thinking strategies. The government must think ahead of the users and lay down the right pathway because, without them, there’s only so much we can do. The government must provide direction, and of course, all the feedback they receive from organizations like ours helps shape and support their decision-making. That is the vision of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council—both now and in the immediate future.
With rising port tariffs making trade difficult, many traders are turning to neighboring ports. How is the NPCC addressing this?
It’s a very worrisome situation. Let me break it down one step at a time. The 4 percent Customs levy came at a very wrong time, it left a bad taste in the economy. Thankfully, many organizations raised concerns, and the government quickly backpedaled and reviewed the policy. Kudos to a listening government for that.
However, we need to shift our thinking. Our ports should not be rated solely based on revenue generation or performance metrics that prioritize income over efficiency. If we continue to run our ports with a revenue-first mindset without ensuring operational efficiency, we will cause significant damage to the economy and discourage port users from choosing Nigeria as their preferred destination.
The government must take a more market-driven approach. When a system is market-driven, the customer comes first. What are the needs of the customer? What are their requirements? What makes them satisfied? Once these factors are prioritized, revenue will naturally follow over time. When customers are satisfied and confident in our system, they will have no reason to seek alternatives elsewhere.
We must always have a long-term development plan, one that ensures our policies are sustainable over time and produces the results we expect.
Is NPCC considering a roundtable with stakeholders to address cargo clearance delays and Customs processing challenges?
Yes. Part of some of the strategies we have for this year is all about that. I mean, like you know what we are for. We are for consulting, arbitrating, and ensuring that the smooth pathway is laid out for our ports to be most efficient. Of course, we are looking to that, to bring all the parties around to discuss with them. And then yes, most of the common denominations, sometimes from the perspective of the governmental agencies, are not in parity with the government policy. Some of them are overzealous and want to drive revenue, but that’s not the way to drive. We should look at the long path. Everything should be all thinking of ease of doing business. Ease of doing business says a lot about the development of a nation. Yes, we are looking in this direction, and I hope shortly you’ll see us maybe convening a meeting of like minds to see that this is addressed, and going to the necessary agencies to have a panel with them.
Already, we are emerging to discuss with the Ministry of Trade and Investment in Abuja, and then we are looking forward to what such a meeting will be.
How do you think the issue of piracy can be tackled? This has been one of the major hindrances to Nigerian trade facilitation.
I think we should be able to separate it. Are we having problems with local waterways or international waters? For now, we are not facing issues on international waters, as piracy has drastically reduced there. However, kidnappings are now prevalent in our local waters, making it a part of the broader insecurity problem in Nigeria. In some regions, we are dealing with banditry, Boko Haram, and kidnappings, and now these criminal elements are shifting to the waterways.
It is crucial for our security agencies to act swiftly and put measures in place to address this. The waterways remain one of the cheapest and fastest means of transporting goods, services, and people. In many riverine areas where roads are not motorable, boats are the only means of transportation for commerce. We must ensure that security agencies take proactive measures to guarantee safe passage for people and goods.
Additionally, many pipelines are embedded in these waters, and any disruption could have severe economic consequences. We cannot afford setbacks in this area. I trust that the necessary security architecture will be implemented by the relevant government agencies to curb this menace effectively.
What’s your take on the delayed renewal of port concession agreements?
From my perspective, this issue was raised at one of our council meetings about two weeks ago, and we expressed serious concerns. What is causing the delay? Is the government considering a policy shift on concessions? That’s a major question. We have not seen any indication of such a shift, yet some renewals have been pending for over five years. This delay raises concerns among industry stakeholders.
It is essential to prioritize the interests of our ports. Any disagreement or underlying issue causing this delay should be addressed transparently. The people who will ultimately suffer are the port users. I hope the government and terminal operators reach an agreement quickly so that port services remain efficient and uninterrupted.
Our primary concern is ensuring that services and infrastructure at the ports are not compromised. If this issue drags on, the nation and the economy will bear the consequences. I sincerely hope this matter is resolved as soon as possible.
Recently, NPCC issued a press statement about its ambition to be the data warehouse for the maritime industry. What updates can you share on this? Are you collaborating with the NBS to gather industry statistics?
NPCC has a dedicated committee working on this initiative, comprising distinguished members with extensive experience in the maritime industry. One of our key committees, the Research and Development Committee, is led by a professor with years of experience in both the private and public sectors. The committee also includes several resource persons.
This is a newly established initiative under the council, and today marked the inaugural meeting of the committee. Our goal is to consolidate valuable maritime data into a single, accessible repository. The late Otunba Folarin (may his soul rest in peace) was a wealth of knowledge in this field, and we are building on past efforts to create a robust and reliable data system.
Currently, we are in the planning phase, but we anticipate launching this initiative by mid-year. Once operational, it will serve as a one-stop platform for comprehensive maritime data, benefiting industry stakeholders and policymakers alike.
How can Nigerian maritime agencies keep local ports competitive amid regional rivalry?
It is unfortunate that Nigeria, despite being a major consumer market, is not benefiting from the ancillary economic advantages of trade. Nigeria accounts for over 70% of West Africa’s imports, with a strong GDP and vast economic potential.
Thankfully, the current government is laying the groundwork for economic stabilization. No other economy in Sub-Saharan Africa can match Nigeria’s scale and potential. With over 200 million people and vast natural resources, Nigeria’s economic power is undeniable.
To retain our competitive edge, we must implement the right policies and systems at our ports. I commend the government’s efforts in pushing for a Single Window system, which is now backed by real action.
This is crucial for simplifying trade processes and improving efficiency.
We must also prioritize ease of doing business. Nigerian entrepreneurs are hardworking and highly strategic in maximizing profits. The country is well-positioned to attract business, but we need to create an enabling environment. While no country has a completely trouble-free business climate, we must ensure that investors do not face unnecessary hurdles that threaten their long-term success.
Improving trade logistics, streamlining regulatory processes, and ensuring inter-agency cooperation will enhance port efficiency. With the full implementation of the Single Window system, Nigerian ports will outperform competing ports in the region. The potential is immense, and with the right approach, we will solidify our position as the trade hub of West Africa.
How can NPCC’s private sector engagement enhance port efficiency and benefit the maritime industry?
At the Council, we adopted a policy to actively engage private sector players because that is the way forward. We must move beyond outdated approaches and work with the actual practitioners in the industry. The bulk of Nigeria’s import and export activities are privately driven, making private sector collaboration essential.
We have reached out to key stakeholders, including cargo owners, logistics providers, and other industry players, to facilitate seamless cargo movement. The government’s role is to create an enabling environment, but the actual commerce is driven by private individuals and businesses.
Moving forward, we will continue expanding private sector participation. Whether you are an importer, exporter, or logistics provider, the NPCC is here to support you. We offer free counseling and arbitration services to address industry challenges.
Nigeria remains the commercial hub of Sub-Saharan Africa, and we are committed to ensuring that trade in the country is as seamless and profitable as possible.
Despite efforts to raise funds, the quay apron remains in poor condition. What’s your take on this?
Government policies are shaped by the people in leadership, and any progress depends on the decisions made. The former MD of the NPA raised alarms about the deteriorating quay apron, but the question remains: what actions did he take? That is for him to answer.
However, with the new leadership at the NPA, I have seen a more proactive approach. The new MD has personally inspected various ports to assess their condition and has publicly acknowledged the urgent need for repairs and upgrades.
The challenge, of course, is funding. The government has numerous financial commitments across sectors, including transportation, education, and healthcare. However, I believe the ports will receive their fair share of attention.
I trust the new NPA leadership to address these infrastructure concerns. In the coming months, we should see some repair projects commence, ensuring that our ports remain functional and efficient.
Aside from the NPA, how is the Council faring with financial support from other agencies?
I hope this question is not seen as solicited, but it is a valid concern. Our financial position at the Council is, frankly, in a sorry state. Unlike other agencies, we do not solicit funds from individuals or private companies. We rely solely on voluntary donations.
The NPA has been our primary financial supporter, helping us stay afloat. However, we need much more than that to function effectively.
We recently held discussions on diversifying our revenue sources. One suggestion was to introduce membership fees for industry participants. However, we do not want financial contributions to be seen as a condition for joining the Council. Instead, we are exploring sustainable funding models that align with our mission.
Our office requires renovation, and we need resources to support our staff. Through this medium, we appeal to other agencies and companies to assist us. We assure full accountability for every kobo received. Our books are open, and we are committed to transparency. Any support we receive will be put to good use for the advancement of Nigeria’s maritime industry.