The Head of Research, Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC) and former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr.Eugene Nweke, has stated that despite overwhelming evidence of its benefits, some Nigerians continue to sabotage the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), allowing corruption, cargo fraud, and revenue leakages to persist.
Speaking at the MARAN Roundtable Discussion on ICTN last week, Nweke expressed deep frustration over Nigeria’s failure to implement a trade facilitation tool that has already been successfully adopted by more than 24 African nations. He noted that while countries like Angola, Benin, Senegal, Togo, and even conflict-ridden states such as Somalia and South Sudan have embraced ICTN, Nigeria remains trapped in delays and resistance orchestrated by vested interests.
He traced the history of ICTN in the subregion, revealing that Gabon was the first country to implement the system in 1999, and by 2002, Burkina Faso had already developed a harmonized format for cargo tracking. Over the years, ICTN has evolved into a fully-digital platform that enhances transparency, security, and efficiency in cargo movement. However, Nigeria remains stuck in endless debates, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and deliberate misinformation spread by those who benefit from a lack of transparency in cargo tracking.
Nweke did not hold back in questioning the motives behind Nigeria’s refusal to fully implement ICTN.
“Why is Nigeria still struggling with ICTN, when even smaller economies have successfully implemented it? Who are those benefitting from the chaos? Why is a country with one of the highest cargo throughputs in Africa unable to track its own shipments efficiently?” he asked.
He emphasized that the ICTN is not a revenue-generating scheme, but a trade facilitation tool that enhances cargo monitoring, prevents cargo under-declaration, and improves trade efficiency. Nigeria’s logistics performance index remains embarrassingly low, largely due to its inability to effectively track and monitor cargo movements, he noted.
He also provided clarity on the difference between ICTN and the old Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), which Nigeria attempted to introduce in 2010, but abandoned due to opposition from powerful interests. Unlike CTN, which was manually processed and prone to inefficiencies, ICTN is fully-digital, offering real-time tracking, automated processing, and enhanced security measures to prevent tampering and fraud.
Nigeria’s refusal to adopt ICTN has resulted in billions of naira in annual losses, as cargo under-declaration, smuggling, and false invoicing continue unchecked. He cited industry reports indicating that the country loses significant revenue due to cargo mismanagement and fraudulent shipping declarations.
According to Nweke, one of the biggest lies being circulated is the claim that ICTN will increase costs for importers and exporters. He dismissed this notion as deliberate misinformation, explaining that the cost burden falls on shipping lines, not traders.
“Shipping documents are generated by the supplier of shipping services, not the user. Fees associated with ICTN are determined by the regulatory authority – in this case, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and should not be used as an excuse for opposition”, he argued.
He also highlighted the failure of Nigeria’s 2016 CTN implementation, where compliance stood at just 20%, mainly due to weak enforcement and lack of stakeholder commitment. However, he argued that a properly executed ICTN system would reduce corruption, not encourage it.
“The biggest argument against ICTN has always been corruption, yet it is the absence of ICTN that allows corruption to thrive,” he stated. “With a fully-digital, transparent system, there will be no room for fraudulent declarations or illegal cargo diversions. Those who oppose ICTN are simply those who profit from the current opaque system.”
Nweke proposed a strict regulatory framework to guide ICTN implementation, ensuring that all agencies involved; including the NSC, Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Customs Service have clearly-defined roles and responsibilities. He also stressed the need for regular system audits to prevent manipulation by contractors or government officials.
“If Nigeria fails to implement ICTN in 2025, the country will be left behind as other African nations align with global trade transparency standards. The African Continental Free Trade Area is pushing for uniform cargo tracking systems, and if Nigeria remains resistant, we risk becoming a dumping ground for improperly documented cargo”, he warned.
