The Western Zonal Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Femi Anifowose, has criticised the recent increment in charges imposed by shipping companies, describing the development as exploitative and symptomatic of Nigeria’s failure to protect its maritime and economic interests.
Speaking during an engagement with freight forwarders on Tuesday, Anifowose argued that Nigeria, despite being one of the largest markets in Africa, continues to be treated unfairly by foreign shipping lines that allegedly deploy revenues generated locally to develop other countries while neglecting Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, the continuous upward review of shipping charges has little or no connection with improvements in service delivery or local investment, insisting that Nigerian importers, agents and consumers are being burdened without commensurate benefits.
“I don’t believe this increment is about cost coming down or any operational justification. The way Nigeria is treated compared to other countries like India and others clearly that whatever affects Nigeria is always pushed downward, while others are protected,” Anifowose said.
He described Nigeria as a “rich market” with a population of over 200 million people, noting that shipping companies benefit massively from cargo volumes into the country but fail to reinvest meaningfully in local infrastructure, manpower development or technology.
“They are using our resources to develop other countries. Nigeria is a huge market. Our population alone makes us attractive, yet what we see is that the money made here is taken elsewhere,” he stated.
Anifowose further argued that if shipping companies were genuinely committed to Nigeria’s growth, the impact would be visible through employment opportunities, local capacity development and reduced operational costs.
“If they are developing our country, it will be better for us. If they are employing our people, it will be better for us. It will change a lot of things,” he added.
The ANLCA zonal coordinator also raised concerns over the increasing reliance on foreign-based operational systems by shipping companies operating in Nigeria, citing examples of platforms allegedly managed outside the country, particularly in India. He warned that such practices further weaken Nigeria’s control over its own maritime and logistics ecosystem.
He linked the unchecked activities of shipping companies to broader systemic challenges within the port and transport environment, including operational bottlenecks, regulatory inefficiencies and security concerns, stressing that these issues continue to compound the cost of doing business.
Anifowose called on freight forwarders, clearing agents and other industry stakeholders to unite against what he described as arbitrary increments and policies that undermine indigenous operators.
“If we don’t stand for ourselves, nobody will stand for us,” he said repeatedly, urging industry players to collectively resist policies that erode their professional and economic survival.
He was, however, quick to clarify that ANLCA was not seeking confrontation but fairness, transparency and equity in the operations of shipping companies in Nigeria.
“We are not fighting anybody. We are not attacking anybody. What we are saying is that the truth must be told. As freight forwarders and agents, we must fight this together if we want to achieve our goals,” Anifowose stated.
Anifowose also raised concern over the activities of the maritime police, alleging that their operations at the ports have increasingly become a source of intimidation, harassment and criminalisation of legitimate freight forwarding activities.
He accused the maritime police of overstepping their mandate and creating fear within the port environment.
According to him, maritime police operatives have increasingly turned routine port operations into criminal matters, subjecting freight forwarders and agents to intimidation under the guise of security enforcement.
“There is a growing criminalisation of port activities. Agents are being treated as suspects rather than professionals carrying out legitimate business,” he said.
Anifowose warned that the situation has worsened operational delays and increased the cost of doing business at the ports, as freight forwarders are forced to navigate
The latest increment by shipping companies has continued to generate discontent among port users, with stakeholders warning that rising costs could further fuel inflation, discourage trade and weaken Nigeria’s competitiveness within the regional and global maritime space.
