NAGAFF President Ezisi Calls for Port Modernisation, Competitive Tariff Regime

The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, has urged urgent modernisation of Nigeria’s ports, stressing that automation, digitalisation, and smart infrastructure are essential to positioning the country as a competitive maritime hub in West and Central Africa.

Ezisi made the call in his acceptance speech after being decorated as a Patron of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during the association’s fourth Maritime Annual Lecture in Lagos.

He described port modernisation as a necessity rather than a choice, noting that speed, efficiency, and transparency are now critical determinants of global competitiveness. According to him, Nigeria must build ports where cargo clearance is seamless, digital systems replace excessive paperwork, and logistics processes are integrated, predictable, and efficient.

Ezisi also condemned the multiplicity of charges at Nigerian ports, describing excessive tariffs, overlapping levies, and hidden costs as detrimental to competitiveness. He urged government and stakeholders to rationalise port charges, ensure transparency, and benchmark Nigeria’s tariff regime against international standards to attract more shippers, investors, and business partners.

Ezisi identified efficiency, cost rationalisation, and infrastructure investment as the three key pillars required to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector. He called for reduced cargo turnaround time, elimination of bottlenecks, a fair and transparent tariff regime and investment in deep-sea ports, modern terminals, and multimodal transport networks

“These pillars will position Nigeria as a competitive hub under the AfCFTA framework, unlocking opportunities for trade expansion and national prosperity,” he said.

He further emphasised collaboration among government agencies, private terminal operators, freight forwarders, and the international shipping community, noting that port modernisation cannot be achieved in isolation. Ezisi assured that NAGAFF remains committed to advocacy, partnership, and constructive engagement in support of reforms that benefit all stakeholders.

Expressing appreciation to MARAN for honouring him as a Patron, Ezisi said the recognition reflected a shared commitment to building a transparent, accountable, and maritime industry. He commended MARAN’s role in promoting accountability and informed dialogue through maritime journalism, urging the association to continue serving as the conscience of the industry and to inspire younger journalists to uphold integrity and professionalism.

“Together, let us build ports that are modern, competitive, and reflective of Nigeria’s aspiration as a maritime powerhouse,” Ezisi said.

Earlier, NAGAFF Founder and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, pledged ₦1 million to MARAN in support of its activities. He described MARAN as a strategic stakeholder in Nigeria’s maritime industry and expressed readiness to work with its current leadership despite past disagreements.

Aniebonam commended MARAN for conferring the Patron honour on Ezisi, describing the NAGAFF President as a “capacity person” capable of contributing meaningfully to the sector. He urged maritime journalists to remain committed to truth and responsible reporting, stressing that Nigeria can only progress when stakeholders confront difficult issues.