NAGAFF President Ezisi Advocates Port Modernisation, Competitive Tariff Regime
‘Nifemi Coker
The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, has called for urgent modernisation of Nigerian ports, stressing that automation, digitalisation and smart infrastructure are essential to making the country a competitive maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
Ezisi made the call in his acceptance speech shortly after he was decorated as a Patron of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) at the association’s fourth Maritime Annual Lecture in Lagos.
He described port modernisation as a necessity rather than a choice, noting that speed, efficiency and transparency have become critical determinants of competitiveness in the global economy.
According to him, Nigeria needs to build ports where cargo clearance is seamless, digital systems replace excessive paperwork, and logistics processes are integrated, predictable and efficient.
The NAGAFF President also condemned the multiplicity of charges at Nigerian ports, describing excessive tariffs, overlapping levies and other costs as detrimental to the country’s competitiveness.
He urged the government and port stakeholders to rationalise port charges, ensure transparency and benchmark Nigeria’s tariff regime against international standards to attract more shippers, investors and business partners.
On the broader competitiveness question, Ezisi identified efficiency, cost rationalisation and infrastructure investment as three key pillars required to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He called for reduced cargo turnaround time, elimination of bottlenecks, a fair and transparent tariff regime, as well as investment in deep-sea ports, modern terminals and multimodal transportation networks.
“These pillars will position Nigeria as a competitive hub under the AfCFTA framework, unlocking opportunities for trade expansion and national prosperity,” he said.
Ezisi further stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, private terminal operators, freight forwarders and the international shipping community, maintaining that port modernisation could not be achieved in isolation.
He assured that NAGAFF remained committed to advocacy, partnership and constructive engagement in support of reforms capable of benefiting all stakeholders in the maritime industry.
Ezisi Thanks MARAN for Patronage
Expressing gratitude to MARAN for honouring him as a Patron, Ezisi said the recognition was not merely personal but a reflection of a shared commitment to building a transparent, accountable and development-driven maritime industry.
He commended MARAN for its role in maritime journalism, particularly its contribution to accountability and informed dialogue within the sector.
He urged the association to continue serving as the conscience of the maritime industry and to inspire younger journalists to uphold integrity, professionalism and the pursuit of progress.
“Together, let us build ports that are modern, competitive and reflective of Nigeria’s aspiration as a maritime powerhouse,” Ezisi said.
Aniebonam Pledges N1m to MARAN
Earlier, the Founder of NAGAFF and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, expressed support for the current leadership of MARAN, describing the association as a strategic stakeholder in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Aniebonam, who said he had been a Patron of MARAN for many years, acknowledged past disagreements between NAGAFF and the association but declared that he was prepared to work with the current MARAN leadership.
He said the present leadership had demonstrated a determination to reposition the association and pledged NAGAFF’s support for its activities.
Aniebonam also commended MARAN for conferring the Patron honour on Ezisi, describing the NAGAFF President as a “capacity person” capable of contributing meaningfully to the industry.
He urged maritime journalists to remain committed to truth and responsible reporting, stressing that the country could only move forward when stakeholders were prepared to confront difficult issues honestly.
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