The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), has concluded a three-day high-level stakeholder engagement in Lagos aimed at achieving a seven-day cargo dwell time at the nation’s seaports.
The engagement, themed “Achieving a 7-Day Cargo Dwell Time,” brought together members of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) under the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Accelerator (BEEPA) framework. It was hosted by the NPA as part of ongoing efforts to streamline port processes and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Held at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, the session followed an extensive “shadowing” exercise during which officials observed real-time vessel berthing and cargo clearance operations at both the Tin Can Island Port and the Lagos Port Complex.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of PEBEC, Ms. Zahrah Mustapha, said the engagement was designed to move beyond problem identification towards the implementation of practical, long-overdue solutions.
“Nigeria loses significantly every day due to operational inefficiencies,” Mustapha said. “These losses are not just figures; they translate into missed opportunities, jobs not created, and delayed economic growth. This reform is about building resilience and unlocking the nation’s economic potential.”
She noted that the initiative integrates both government regulators and private sector stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability, with the ultimate objective of reducing cargo dwell time and improving vessel turnaround.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the NPA, Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting PEBEC’s reform agenda.
He highlighted ongoing efforts by the NPA, including collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to deploy the Port Community System (PCS), which will serve as the digital backbone of the National Single Window. According to him, the initiative is expected to eliminate manual bottlenecks and improve coordination across port operations.
The NPA recently recorded a 100 per cent success rate in the implementation of PEBEC reforms, ranking fifth among government agencies in 2025 with an 84.2 per cent compliance score.
Outcomes from the stakeholder engagement are expected to be implemented in the coming months. By addressing operational gaps identified during the port inspections, the NPA and PEBEC aim to improve port efficiency, enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and facilitate seamless trade.
