The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has relaxed the enforcement of Nigerian Export Proceeds (NXP) regulations. This move comes as export stakeholders seek to address mounting delays and streamline processes affected by teething issues in the current regulatory policy.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that in a move aimed at enhancing efficiency in export cargo processing, the NPA had mandated the implementation of the NXP as a compulsory requirement for all export-bound cargo trucks entering the nation’s seaports. The policy is designed to streamline export operations and ensure proper documentation of export proceeds in line with Nigeria’s trade regulations.
The directive, which took effect from February 3, 2025, instructed the NPA’s technical partner, Truck Transit Parks Limited (TTP), to enforce compliance across the country’s seaports. TTP highlighted in a circular to maritime industry stakeholders, the need for all parties involved in export operations to strictly adhere to the new requirements to avoid disruptions in cargo movement.
However, within five days of its implementation, exporters claimed to have recorded over $10m in losses due to NXP integration into the Truck Transit Park portal, adding that the introduction of NXP had caused severe disruptions in the export sector.
In a recent engagement with one of our correspondent, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya raised serious concerns over the new procedural requirement introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority, warning that it could significantly hinder export activities and disrupt shipping schedules.
While revealing that the NPA had introduced the requirement based on an understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), insisting that container numbers must be stated on the NXP form before ETO can be processed, Comptroller Odusanya emphasized that this was not feasible from the Customs perspective.
The Export Terminal CAC clarified that not all exports require NXP, citing personal effects and repair-and-return items as examples. To address this, he said the command had devised an interim solution for non-commercial exports warning that if exporters were compelled to wait until the CCI stage before applying for ETO, they risk missing critical shipping windows.
Comptroller Odusanya acknowledged NPA’s good intentions, but emphasized the need for better inter-agency understanding. For commercial exports, he advised all relevant agencies to return to the drawing board and harmonize their procedures in a way that supports exporters rather than frustrates them.
“The NPA meant well, but they did not fully understand customs procedures. NXP is simply about the repatriation of proceeds. If we can ensure that export proceeds are repatriated, it will help stabilize and strengthen our currency. But the approach must be refined so that it does not negatively impact exporters—the very people they are trying to protect,” Odusanya said.
In a chat with Shipping Position Daily last week, President of the Association of West African Exporters and Marine Professionals (AWAEMAP), Mr Olubunmi Olumekun informed that NPA has relaxed the enforcement of the NXP following persistent operational challenges.
Mr. Olumekun voiced concerns over lack of consultation and coordination in the implementation of recent export policies, noting that the failure to engage practitioners has led to delays and confusion within the system.
The President of the Exporters group revealed that although some improvements have been recorded recently especially with a noticeable reduction in daily export backlogs from 40% to about 10–20%, the process has nonetheless become more cumbersome due to policy missteps.
Addressing claims that delays are often caused by Customs, Olumekun clarified that the bottlenecks are frequently due to procedural requirements that exporters may not be fully prepared for, such as securing escorts for cargo movement. He added that the shortage of escorts has led to significant queuing at ports, further contributing to congestion and missed export deadlines.
Olumekun however urged the government and its agencies to work collaboratively with stakeholders, emphasizing that policy formulation must be inclusive and aligned with the realities on the ground to truly promote trade facilitation.
“It’s not like before. There has been a bit of a step-down in the process, but we are still doing our normal job. The only mistake they made was that they were not consulted before they went into that kind of policy. You cannot know more than the practitioners, we are the ones who know where the truth is.
“There is a process. There is a rule. Export is guided by a guideline given from the Ministry of Finance to Customs, then to the banks. You can’t jump the gun. Every stakeholder has a part to play, Customs, inspection agents, shipping companies and everyone. These checks are in place to make the system work. There is already a framework in place that works. We all sat down and designed the process together. The rules are there for a reason. If we all play our part, the system will function smoothly.” Olumekun concluded.
