Despite various initiatives aimed at improving safety, security, and overall operations, Nigeria’s maritime industry continues to struggle with deep-rooted issues such as corruption, inefficiency, and limited resources, severely impacting its global competitiveness. In 2024, Nigeria’s ports ranked a disappointing 183rd out of 185 countries worldwide in terms of operational efficiency.
The Sea Empowerment Research Centre (RGS) highlights these persistent challenges in a recent New Year bulletin, acknowledging some progress made by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), including the implementation of maritime safety laws and security infrastructures. However, inefficiencies and poor infrastructure continue to hinder growth.
Despite Nigeria’s improvement in its merchant shipping fleet ranking (48th globally), the nation’s contribution remains minimal, accounting for just 1.6 million tons in recent years. The country’s ports face challenges like delays, unofficial charges, human interface, and frequent technical breakdowns. These factors make Nigerian ports unattractive for global trade and further deepen the sector’s inefficiency.
The continued port congestion and lack of substantial infrastructure investment exacerbate the issue, damaging Nigeria’s global maritime reputation. Eugene Nweke of Sea Empowerment Research Centre called for urgent reforms and significant investments in infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency to improve the country’s maritime standing and boost its economic prospects.
Without these reforms, Nigeria’s maritime industry is at risk of falling further behind, which could have long-term consequences for its economic growth. The government must act swiftly to address these critical issues, as a failure to do so would continue to stifle the sector’s potential.