Corruption in Nigerian ports has declined sharply, with reported cases of illicit cash demands dropping from 266 in 2019 to just 30 in 2024, according to the latest report by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN).
The 89 percent reduction highlights a major transformation in the country’s maritime sector.
The CEO of the Convention for Business Integrity (CBI), Soji Apampa representing MACN in Nigeria, described the improvement as the “Nigerian miracle.”
“Before reforms, shipping companies were frequently extorted for sums ranging from $20,000 to $150,000 due to sundry delays. Through the introduction of standard operating procedures, the Nigeria Port Process Manual, and strict enforcement by the Port Security Task Team (PSTT) with agencies such as the DSS and ICPC, we have seen a consistent decline in cases,” Apampa said.
He noted the annual reduction to include 128 cases in 2020, 84 in 2021, 48 in 2022, 45 in 2023, and 30 in 2024.
The drop in corruption has attracted global attention, with countries such as Egypt, India, Ghana, Senegal, and Ukraine studying Nigeria’s reforms to replicate the model in their ports.
The success also earned Nigeria a nomination for the first-ever Collective Action Award by the Basel Institute on Governance in 2022.
While the achievements are notable, Apampa acknowledged that extending reforms from vessel clearance to cargo and port corridor operations remains challenging due to entrenched interests.
To address this, MACN recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to further enhance transparency and efficiency.
Kingsley Igwe, CRFFN Registrar, said the MoU introduces digital tools to streamline operations for importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and government agencies.
“These tools are designed to reduce bottlenecks, prevent undue payments, and improve cargo flow, creating a more transparent maritime environment,” Igwe said.
The continued decline in corruption cases is not only easing the business environment in Nigerian ports but also establishing the country as a global benchmark for maritime integrity.