President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, architect of the brand new tax reform that’s soon to be signed into law
A fervent appeal for an urgent reduction of the 7% surcharge on cargo clearance at Nigerian ports has solemnly been issued to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PBAT, by one of the major stakeholders in the nation’s marine and blue economy and in the entire ports/maritime ecosystems- the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON).
The appeal letter dated 11th August 2025, was signed by comrade Frank Ogunojemite, President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON, who gave a graphical illustration through the wording of the petition, which painted a gloomy condition of the national economy that is in dire need of remedy.
The appeal letter noted that the “cost of clearing cargo is at an all-time high, with freight forwarders, importers, and manufacturers facing unprecedented operational pressure” in the nation’s history.
High Chief Wale Edun, Minister of Finance & the Coordinating Minister of the Economy
The freight forwarders in their appeal letter argued against the 7% increase in import duties, noting that the spiral inflation in the economy does not provide an iota of “justification for retaining this surcharge under such conditions has become questionable, especially as port users receive no direct value or improved service from this charge”.
APFFLON, as a corporate entity, rather submitted that, “the surcharge continues to inflate the cost of imports, disrupt supply chains, and pushes many legitimate businesses into financial distress”.
Hence, a four-charter demand was made to Mr President, thus: “Immediate downward review of the 7% surcharge to ease the financial pressure on importers, exporters, and the trading community.
High Chief Frank Ogunojemite, President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON
The petitioner also requested from Mr President, “an audit and clarification of the usage of funds generated from the surcharge, to promote transparency and accountability”.
APFFLON also demanded a “Stakeholder consultation involving associations like the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents, ANALCA, and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, and APFFLON, to co-create a fair, inclusive, and sustainable port revenue model”.
And the last but not least of the demand charter is the demand for the “Implementation of a harmonised and transparent port pricing system, eliminating overlapping levies and reducing bottlenecks in cargo clearance”.
While pledging unflinching support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” to reform the national economy, APFFLON expressed its conviction in the president thus; “Your Excellency, we believe that reducing this surcharge at a time when the economy is “bleeding” will send a strong signal of your commitment to inclusive economic recovery, ease of doing business, and stakeholder engagement.
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