By Omoniyi David
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently slash the recently imposed 7% surcharge on cargo clearance, warning it could deepen economic hardship.
In a petition dated August 11, 2025, and signed by its President, Frank Ogunojemite, APFFLON said Nigerians are already grappling with high inflation, volatile exchange rates, and a weakening naira, making the surcharge “unsustainable” for businesses and the public.
Ogunojemite noted that cargo clearing costs have reached record highs, straining freight forwarders, importers, and manufacturers.
He argued that with most port terminals already concessioned to private operators, retaining the surcharge is questionable, as it inflates import costs, disrupts supply chains, and pushes legitimate businesses into distress.
While acknowledging the government’s need to boost revenue, the association warned that extra levies could stifle productivity, discourage formal trade, and worsen inflation.
APFFLON also called for an audit of surcharge funds to ensure transparency, urged wider stakeholder consultations for a fair port revenue model, and recommended a harmonised pricing system that eliminates overlapping levies and reduces clearance bottlenecks.
