Lagos, Nigeria – The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has demanded a review of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s recent 15% tariff increase. The organization warns that higher charges could worsen Nigeria’s already elevated port costs and reduce regional competitiveness.
Okay News reports that SEREC Head of Research Eugene Nweke issued the statement on Friday in Abuja. The Federal Government approved the tariff adjustment in February 2026 to fund port infrastructure improvements.
Nweke explained that the increase has triggered rising operational costs among terminal operators and shipping lines. These additional expenses are now being transferred directly to port users.
He warned that the development could deepen cost pressures throughout Nigeria’s maritime sector. The country’s ports already face challenges competing with neighboring West African facilities.
Nweke called for harmonization and rationalization of all port-related charges. He argued this would reduce systemic inefficiencies and excessive cost burdens on businesses using Nigerian ports.
SEREC has observed a concerning shift in maritime governance. Regulatory and technical agencies appear increasingly driven by revenue benchmarks rather than service delivery.
The trend of assigning aggressive revenue targets to regulatory bodies could undermine their statutory responsibilities. Institutional effectiveness may weaken as agencies prioritize collection over facilitation.
The Nigerian Ports Authority announced that dollar-denominated charges will adjust every two years based on United States Consumer Price Index data. Naira-denominated rates will follow Nigeria’s inflation metrics every three years.
This review mechanism aims to align port charges with inflationary trends and operational realities. However, it marks the first such adjustment since 1993.
Nweke also expressed concerns about Nigeria Customs Service revenue targets. These benchmarks frequently trigger valuation disputes and cargo reclassification controversies during clearance processes.
Importers face post-clearance demand notices that delay cargo processing. Operational bottlenecks increase logistics costs for businesses throughout the supply chain.
He suggested that Customs Service might perform better with cargo throughput targets rather than strict revenue benchmarks. Trade facilitation tools like one-stop shops should reduce cargo dwell time within customs zones.
The tariff adjustment forms part of broader reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector. Authorities state the review will fund port modernization and improve operational efficiency.
Stakeholders continue raising concerns about potential impacts on regional trade costs. Higher charges could divert cargo traffic to competing ports in neighboring countries.
 has demanded a review of the Nigerian Ports Authority's recent 15% tariff increase.){kind=link}