The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have agreed to deepen collaboration to tackle persistent congestion on the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access roads, improve ease of doing business and accelerate cargo evacuation.
The agreement was reached during a strategic engagement at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Marina, Lagos, between the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the national leadership of ANLCA led by its President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji.
According to a statement issued by the NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, both organisations also discussed measures to strengthen the Electronic Call-Up System (Eto), improve truck movement and support ongoing port reforms.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Dantsoho praised the Port Managers of Apapa and Tin Can Island for sustaining operational efficiency, noting that their efforts contributed to the recent recognition of both ports among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally.
He said the achievement reflects deliberate reforms in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance following its emergence as the first President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President for Africa in the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
“This global recognition is not accidental; it is the direct result of our strategic and intentional mapping of port processes and our relentless pursuit of excellence. This achievement is further reinforced by Nigeria’s recent diplomatic successes in the maritime sector,” Dr. Dantsoho said.
The NPA Managing Director acknowledged that although the Electronic Call-Up System had achieved its initial objectives since its introduction, increasing trade volumes now require a stronger operational framework to permanently address traffic congestion around the ports.
“Lagos remains a vital commercial hub for West Africa. To sustain this status, we must aggressively pursue port modernization. Much of our infrastructure is aging and requires comprehensive upgrades to meet international standards, deploy modern cargo-handling equipment, and boost national revenue,” he added.
Responding, ANLCA National President Chief Emenike Nwokeoji congratulated the NPA management on the World Bank ranking and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to policies that promote trade facilitation and improve port operations.
He called for closer collaboration between both organisations and requested that ANLCA be directly involved in the management and oversight of the Electronic Call-Up System.
According to him, the active participation of licensed customs brokers would provide the necessary checks and balances to eliminate racketeering and artificial delays on the Apapa and Tin Can port access roads.
During the engagement, Chief Nwokeoji also formally invited Dr. Dantsoho to ANLCA’s 72nd Anniversary Celebration scheduled to hold before the end of the year.
ANLCA further pledged to work closely with the NPA, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant stakeholders through a coordinated task force to monitor truck movements and respond swiftly to disruptions along the port corridors, as both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to making Nigeria’s ports more efficient and globally competitive.
