Leye Kupoluyi, president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), proposed a mechanism to reduce delays at Apapa and Tin Can Island, BusinessDay reported, citing Tuesday remarks.
The proposal would bring together federal and state officials, port agencies, terminal operators and truck owners. Its suggested measures include how long cargo stays at the ports, ships wait and trucks take to complete port trips, BusinessDay reported.
Las Alli-Shobande, chairman of LCCI’s Freight Forwarders & Trade Group, said the two ports handle more than 70% of Nigeria’s seaborne trade, BusinessDay reported. LCCI’s event listing confirms that its Freight Forwarders Trade Group Strategic Stakeholders Engagement was scheduled for Oct. 27 at Commerce House in Lagos; the listing does not describe the proposal.
BusinessDay reported that Kupoluyi’s other recommendations include better truck-flow management and improved terminal output through modern equipment and digital yard tools. He also called for greater digitalization through the National Single Window and better road access, with rail and barge links included in the transport plan. A separate EconoTimes report on APM Terminals Apapa’s export-rail target said the company had set no timetable for moving 60% of its export containers by rail.
Truck owners bear direct financial and operating costs from delays, BusinessDay reported. LCCI deputy group chairman Ikenna Nwosu said export shipments can miss vessels and loaded cargo can take almost 24 hours to leave the ports. NPERA chief Pius Ukeyima Akutah cited congestion, truck scheduling, cargo inspections and paperwork, poor links between information systems, unpredictable charges, limited alternative routes and a shortage of operating data as port problems, the outlet reported.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) began operations Aug. 21. Its remit includes port charges, competition, service standards, cargo clearance and commercial dispute resolution. Nigeria Customs Service publications show the Apapa Customs Command collected ₦2.93 trillion in 2025 and the Tin Can Island Port Command collected ₦1.6 trillion.
BusinessDay reported no implementation timetable or committee membership for the proposed mechanism.
