Lagos, Nigeria – June 17, 2025
In a renewed effort to enhance efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks at Nigeria’s seaports, Comptroller Dera Nnadi Onyeka of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has reiterated his commitment to transparency, inter-agency cooperation, and streamlined cargo clearance processes.
Speaking during a strategic engagement with key stakeholders, including shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and regulatory agencies, Comptroller Onyeka emphasized that building trust and fostering synergy among all players remain central to achieving seamless port operations.
He highlighted ongoing reforms such as the automation of customs processes, pre-arrival documentation, and real-time cargo tracking as key innovations to reduce corruption, delays, and human interface in cargo clearance.
The Comptroller also pledged to strengthen collaboration with sister agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure that port operations are governed by integrity and predictability.
Stakeholders at the meeting welcomed the initiative, noting that enhanced transparency and collaboration will boost investor confidence, reduce cost of doing business, and improve Nigeria’s ranking in global logistics indices.
Comptroller Onyeka called on port users to uphold compliance and support the drive toward a more efficient port ecosystem.
