SEREC Urge Harmonised Digital Reforms to Drive Nigeria’s Maritime Competitiveness

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Sea Empowerment & Research Center (SEREC) has called for greater harmonization, transparency and interoperability in Nigeria’s ongoing maritime digital transformation, warning that the proliferation of multiple technology platforms without proper coordination could undermine the Federal Government’s trade facilitation agenda.

In its latest Policy and Industry Enlightenment Bulletin (Vol. 17) released on Thursday, the maritime policy think tank reviewed three major developments shaping Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystem: the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) rollout of the Movement Code for empty container management at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports; the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) participation in a regional border modernization benchmarking mission involving the Benin Republic and Cameroon; and the commencement of implementation of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments.

According to SEREC, the initiatives collectively demonstrate the Federal Government’s determination to modernize port administration, strengthen border governance and accelerate trade facilitation through digital transformation.

SEREC Head of Research, Fwrd Eugene Nweke described the NPA’s Movement Code as a commendable intervention designed to improve regulation of empty container movements, strengthen cargo traceability, enhance truck scheduling and reduce congestion within the Lagos port corridors.

He noted that the initiative complements existing electronic traffic management measures already introduced within the ports and reflects the Authority’s commitment to improving operational efficiency.

However, the organization observed that several operational concerns remain unresolved, particularly regarding the financial implications of the new system.

SEREC said the NPA should urgently clarify whether compliance with the Movement Code would attract additional service charges, the pricing framework to be adopted, the mechanism for collection and which stakeholders would ultimately bear such costs.

According to the centre, these issues have become increasingly important at a period when government is actively pursuing policies aimed at reducing the cost of doing business.

Beyond the issue of pricing, SEREC warned against allowing the Movement Code to become another stand-alone cargo monitoring platform operating independently of other ongoing digital reforms within the port sector.

The centre pointed out that Nigeria’s maritime industry is already witnessing the gradual deployment of several cargo visibility and digital compliance platforms, including the Nigeria Customs Service’s cargo tracking framework for bonded cargo movements, the proposed Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (e-CTN), the National Single Window, the emerging Port Community System and other agency-specific digital initiatives.

It argued that failure to integrate these platforms could expose port users to multiple cargo identification systems, repetitive data submissions, overlapping compliance procedures and additional service charges on the same cargo movement.

To avoid such duplication, SEREC advocated the establishment of a unified and interoperable cargo movement architecture where a single cargo identity and one electronic data submission would satisfy the operational requirements of all authorised government agencies.

The organization stressed that digitalization should simplify trade processes rather than create additional regulatory bottlenecks, urging the National Trade Facilitation Committee to ensure that the objectives of the National Single Window are fully realized through effective inter-agency coordination.

On regional trade integration, SEREC commended the Nigeria Customs Service for participating in the joint benchmarking mission with the Benin Republic and Cameroon to understudy the Beitbridge Border Post model.

It described the exercise as a strategic step towards coordinated border management, intelligence-driven customs administration and enhanced regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to the policy group, lessons from the exercise are expected to improve border procedures, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, reduce cargo clearance delays and better position Nigeria for increased intra-African trade.

It advised freight forwarders, licensed customs agents and cross-border traders to begin aligning their operational procedures with emerging regional customs standards, increased automation and stricter compliance requirements.

SEREC also drew attention to the implementation of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments by the Nigeria Customs Service, describing the development as one with significant implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers and customs brokers.

The centre urged operators to immediately review the revised tariff schedules, verify applicable Harmonized System (HS) classifications, reassess customs valuation where necessary and update their costing models to reflect the new fiscal regime.

Failure to properly align import declarations with the revised tariff provisions, it warned, could expose traders to unnecessary delays, demand notices, post-clearance audit adjustments and avoidable financial liabilities.

As part of its professional advisory, SEREC observed that Nigeria’s maritime administration is steadily transitioning towards digitally driven port operations, integrated border management, risk-based customs administration, regional trade facilitation and greater regulatory automation.

It therefore advised freight forwarders, transport operators, shipping companies, importers and customs licensed agents to embrace technology-driven compliance systems backed by continuous professional development.

To maximize the gains of the ongoing reforms, SEREC recommended that government agencies operating within the port ecosystem prioritize interoperability of digital trade platforms, eliminate duplicative cargo tracking systems, transparently disclose all technology-related service charges before implementation, adopt a unified cargo identity across agencies and ensure seamless integration with the National Single Window and the Port Community System.

The centre also emphasized the need for continuous stakeholder engagement before introducing new compliance mechanisms, arguing that broad consultation would encourage industry acceptance and smoother implementation.

It concluded that Nigeria’s maritime sector is entering a new phase where digital governance will increasingly determine operational efficiency and international competitiveness.

While applauding the reform initiatives being championed by the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service, SEREC maintained that their long-term success would depend on effective institutional coordination, policy harmonization, cost transparency and seamless interoperability among government trade platforms.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to providing objective policy analysis and practical recommendations aimed at promoting trade facilitation, improving port efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s position as the leading maritime gateway in West and Central Africa.