NPA, Security Agencies, Freight Forwarders Move to End Extortion, Traffic Gridlock on Apapa Port Corridors

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has intensified efforts to sustain the free flow of logistics and cargo movement along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors, convening a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to address concerns over jurisdictional overlaps, extortion and operational bottlenecks on port access roads.

The meeting, chaired by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, brought together key stakeholders from security agencies, the transport sector and freight forwarding associations to explore solutions to persistent challenges affecting port operations in Lagos.

Among those in attendance were the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Maritime), AIG Nurat Okunade; the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ojowuro Olasunkanmi; the Secretary-General of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Godfrey Nwosu; and the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Ganiyu Hamzat.

The NPA Managing Director was joined by the Authority’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Vivian Richard-Edet; Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Engr. Olalekan Badmus; and General Manager, Security, Mr. Anthony Edosomwan.

The meeting focused on tackling reports of extortion, multiple checkpoints, and overlapping responsibilities among agencies operating along the Apapa and Tin Can port access roads—issues stakeholders say have continued to impede the seamless movement of goods and increase the cost of doing business.

Participants deliberated on strategies to streamline operations, improve inter-agency coordination and eliminate unauthorized activities that contribute to congestion and delays within the nation’s busiest port corridors.

The engagement forms part of the NPA’s broader efforts to improve efficiency within the maritime sector and sustain recent gains recorded in traffic management around the Lagos ports.

Industry stakeholders have consistently identified extortion, traffic bottlenecks and regulatory overlaps as major impediments to port competitiveness, often resulting in delays in cargo evacuation and increased logistics costs for importers, exporters and freight operators.

The Authority reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies, state government officials and industry operators to ensure a more transparent, efficient and secure operating environment around the nation’s ports.

Stakeholders at the meeting also emphasized the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, improved intelligence sharing and greater collaboration among relevant agencies to guarantee uninterrupted cargo movement and protect legitimate port users from exploitation.

The outcome of the deliberations is expected to strengthen ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, reducing logistics costs and positioning Nigerian ports as more competitive gateways for regional and international trade.