By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to reduce cargo clearance time at Nigerian ports from 21 days to seven days as part of efforts to improve trade efficiency and lower logistics costs.
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) is leading the initiative to speed up cargo processing and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness.
PEBEC Director-General, Zahra Audu, disclosed the plan on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja.
She said prolonged cargo clearance remains a major challenge for importers and exporters, especially when compared with neighbouring countries such as Benin Republic and Ghana.
“As a resolution from the committee, we were tasked with reducing cargo dwell time from 21 days to seven days,” Audu said.
She explained that PEBEC has introduced joint cargo inspections to ensure all relevant agencies coordinate clearance processes as soon as ships berth.
The council has also replaced most physical cargo inspections with scanner-based examinations to improve efficiency and shorten turnaround time.
“Our goal is to ensure containers arriving in Nigeria are cleared within seven days. It is still a work in progress,” she added.
Audu said PEBEC established a committee in the Office of the Vice President in April 2026 to coordinate ministries, departments and agencies operating at the ports.
She identified the National Single Window as a key reform, noting that it places relevant government agencies on one digital platform to simplify documentation for imports and exports.
According to her, the digital platform will improve coordination and reduce delays in cargo processing.
PEBEC has also removed illegal checkpoints along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors and plans regular inspections to prevent their return.
“We no longer have illegal checkpoints within the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors. We will continue monitoring the situation until this becomes the norm,” Audu said.
She said the council has strengthened engagement between businesses and government through the ReportGov platform, which connects businesses directly with 69 business-facing ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The platform, relaunched in June 2025, allows businesses to report challenges and receive responses within 72 hours.
PEBEC has also deployed ReportGov kiosks at major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, as well as the Apapa and Tin Can seaports.
Audu said the 69 MDAs have been grouped into clusters to improve coordination and eliminate duplication of responsibilities.
She cited the Memorandum of Understanding between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as one reform aimed at reducing multiple certification requirements for businesses.
She added that PEBEC has activated ease-of-doing-business councils in all states to improve coordination between federal and state governments, promote digital public services and establish one-stop business centres.
The council is also working with the World Bank under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme to help states access a $750 million loan facility for reforms in digital connectivity, land administration and tax harmonisation.
Audu further disclosed that all states now have small claims courts, giving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) faster and more affordable options for resolving business disputes.
She said PEBEC will continue removing barriers to doing business by expanding digital services, reducing inter-agency conflicts and supporting informal businesses through its Enable Her project.
