Freight Forwarders Demand Urgent Tariff Review
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s freight forwarding and clearing sector have called for an urgent review of the current tariff structure, warning that rising charges are crippling trade and worsening economic hardship.
At a media engagement in Lagos, they stressed that persistent tariff hikes are discouraging indigenous participation and forcing many businesses to shut down.
Private practitioner Kenneth Ofurum said: “Government policies must be implemented with a human face. The current approach to revenue generation is placing undue pressure on operators and ultimately being passed on to consumers.”
He noted that the hikes have led to a surge in unclaimed cargo at ports, as importers struggle to meet financial demands.
In March, freight forwarders staged protests at offices of major shipping lines in Apapa, Lagos, including MSC Shipping, Lagos and Niger Shipping Company, and Pacific International Lines, shutting down operations to resist new charges.
Stakeholders also raised concerns about the sidelining of indigenous operators, alleging that foreign firms are increasingly dominating roles traditionally reserved for Nigerians in the clearing and forwarding value chain.
Managing Director of Harsecom Logistics Limited, Haruna Omolajumo, said Nigeria must adopt policies like Ghana, where foreign companies are required to partner with local operators. He lamented that port-related charges have risen from ₦10,000 to hundreds of thousands, squeezing smaller businesses out.
They urged the government to enforce local content laws, develop inclusive policies, and ensure stakeholder involvement in reforms, including digital platforms like the National Single Window, to protect indigenous enterprises and sustain employment.
