Key players in Nigeria’s maritime industry are calling for the adoption of automation as a crucial solution to curb corruption and enhance efficiency at the nation’s ports. Industry leaders, including the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), agree that automating port processes will reduce human interaction, which is often linked to corrupt practices, and streamline cargo clearance operations.
Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary of the NSC, emphasized the need for automation during a visit to shipping terminals in Lagos. He highlighted that it would not only speed up cargo clearance but also help reduce the traffic gridlock plaguing Apapa and its surrounding areas. Bello stressed that the success of the government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative relies on the collaboration of stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector. He also called for terminal operators to register with the Council, maintain functional websites, and keep accurate transaction records to aid in regulatory oversight and policy development.
Bello further noted that automation will enable Nigeria to achieve the international standards that other countries have implemented in port operations, ensuring a smoother flow of goods and services.
Olayiwola Shittu, former National President of ANLCA, echoed these sentiments, adding that while the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and other government agencies are aware of the benefits of automation, the lack of political will is hindering implementation. He expressed concern that many government officials benefit from the current, disorganized system, which discourages efforts to modernize.
Shittu pointed to the example of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), used for vehicle imports, explaining that the current system is prone to manipulation due to its reliance on human valuation officers. He suggested that a globally accepted software system, which allows for vehicle identification numbers (PINs) to be inputted to generate all necessary information, would provide a more transparent and consistent method for calculating duties. He noted that similar systems are already in use in other West African countries, where duties are automatically determined based on vehicle data, eliminating discrepancies and opportunities for corruption.
The call for automation reflects a growing consensus that digitalization is essential to improving Nigeria’s port operations, reducing corruption, and ensuring that the country meets international trade standards.
