At MARAN Lecture: Maritime Experts Say Corruption, Knowledge Gap Hampering Nigeria’s AfCFTA Opportunities

L-R: Logistics expert, Alban Igwe, President of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) Otunba Sola Adewunmi, Former WISTA Nigeria President, Mrs Eunice Ezeoke, Rector of Conarina Maritime Academy, Capt Tony Onoharigho, Dr Kayode Farinto, Mr Sesan Onileimo Publisher of Shipping Position Daily, Mrs Olamide Olatunde of NEPC, Representative of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Ismail Omipidan, Capt Waredi Enisuoh, Emmanuel Maiguwa, Compt Dera Nnadi, MARAN President, Godfrey Bivbere and Public Relations Officer of Immigration, Apapa Command at the 2nd edition of MAMAL organised by MARAN in Lagos.
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors have identified corruption and knowledge gaps as critical barriers undermining the country’s ability to maximize the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This was the consensus during the second edition of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL), held at Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, with the theme, “AfCFTA: Dismantling Trade Barriers, Navigating Regional Trade.”
Delivering his remarks during a panel session, Dr. Kayode Farinto, former Acting President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), emphasized how corruption at ports stifles trade processes.
“Corruption is a two-way street. Systemic inefficiencies push importers to circumvent procedures through bribery. Streamlining operations and enforcing accountability are critical to reforming the maritime sector,” Farinto said.
He praised previous reforms under former Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reduced the number of security agencies in ports, but lamented the reversal of those gains.
Similarly, Chairman of the panel session, Mr Sesan Onileimo, Publisher of Shipping Position Daily, described inefficiencies within port operations as self-imposed barriers that drive corruption.
Onileimo criticized the lack of effective coordination among agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), which slows cargo clearance and encourages illicit practices.
“These agencies weren’t established to hinder trade, but their inefficiencies have turned them into bottlenecks. The chaos at Apapa contrasts sharply with seamless cargo clearance in neighboring countries like Benin Republic. This disparity highlights why we struggle to compete,” he said.
Mrs Olamide Olatunde, Senior Trade Promotion Officer at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), highlighted a different but related challenge which according to her is knowledge gaps among Nigerian exporters.
She noted that many exporters fail to comply with international standards for packaging, labeling, and certification, resulting in limited access to global markets.
“Awareness is critical. Exporters need to understand trade agreements like AfCFTA and meet global requirements. Bridging this knowledge gap is essential for Nigeria to take full advantage of the opportunities under AfCFTA,” Olatunde said.
Adding to the discourse, Emmanuel Maiguwa, President of Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), pointed out the excessive costs of operating in the Nigerian maritime sector.
Maiguwa explained that high customs duties on vessel acquisition and operational inefficiencies at ports not only inflate trade costs but also create opportunities for corrupt practices.
“Acquiring a vessel in Nigeria comes with prohibitive customs duties and red tape, making operations costly and uncompetitive. These conditions drive businesses to cut corners, further entrenching corruption,” Maiguwa remarked.
Capt. Tony Onoharigho, Rector of Conarina Maritime Academy, while adding his voice to the panel discussion, highlighted transportation and logistics as critical areas requiring urgent attention. He lamented Nigeria’s lack of dedicated shipping vessels, which inflates export costs and hinders trade.
“We need to prioritize logistics and transportation. Without optimized supply chains and our own shipping vessels, taking advantage of AfCFTA will remain a challenge,” Onoharigho remarked.
On his part, Capt. Waredi Enisuoh, Executive Director Operations at Tantita Security Services, called for a focus on clean energy to enhance Nigeria’s trade positioning.
“Clean energy will be a game-changer. Businesses adopting solar energy can earn carbon credits and compete better internationally,” he said, urging Nigerian businesses to prepare for stricter environmental compliance in global trade.
The speakers called for a renewed commitment to tackling corruption, fostering compliance among exporters, and creating an efficient trade environment. They urged the government to eliminate bottlenecks in the maritime sector and improve transparency to ensure Nigeria can compete effectively under AfCFTA.
Speaking earlier, President of MARAN, Godfrey Bivbere noted that Nigeria has made significant strides under AfCFTA in the year 2024.
According to him, the nation launched its participation in the AfCFTA with the first shipment under the Guided Trade Initiative where Ten companies, including Lucky Fibres and LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, successfully exported goods to some African countries.
Bivbere however noted that for Nigeria to maximize the benefits of AfCFTA, it must address critical requirements, including:
Enhanced roads, transit trailer parks, and functional scanning facilities at ports.
Others are “Compliance with Rules of Origin (RoO) and streamlined export processes. Capacity building and Training customs officers and other stakeholders to align with AfCFTA protocols.
“Investment in Maritime Assets: With intra-African freight expected to increase by 28% and maritime demand by 62%, we need significant investments, including the addition of 100 vessels to facilitate transport” he said
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to selected stakeholders who have performed excellently in the maritime sector.
These include the Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command, Compt Dera Nnadi, Sesan Onileimo, a former President of MARAN, General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Emmanuel Maiguwa among others.