Nigeria Customs to Boost Apapa Port Efficiency with 200-Container-Per-Hour Quayside Inspections

By Ademola Adekusibe
September 23, 2025

The Nigeria Customs Service has announced plans to examine up to 200 containers per hour at the Apapa Port quayside as part of efforts to reduce congestion and expedite cargo clearance.

The initiative, unveiled by the Controller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), aims to enhance operational efficiency at one of Nigeria’s busiest ports. Officials said the new measures will involve modern scanning equipment, improved manpower deployment, and streamlined inspection processes.

“The goal is to ensure goods move faster, reduce demurrage charges, and enhance trade facilitation,” a senior Customs official said. “By increasing our examination capacity, we can handle the current volume of imports while maintaining compliance with security and revenue regulations.”

Industry stakeholders, including shipping companies and port operators, have welcomed the development, noting that congestion at Apapa has long affected trade and logistics. Analysts said faster inspections could significantly cut turnaround times for vessels, reduce costs for importers, and improve Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness.

Customs further stressed that while efficiency will be improved, the integrity of inspections will remain paramount to prevent smuggling and ensure revenue collection.

Officials indicated that full implementation of the 200-container-per-hour target is expected within the next few weeks, with continuous monitoring to assess the impact on port operations and the broader supply chain.