As 2025 draws to a close, the structural health of Nigeria’s commerce remains a critical topic for economic sustainability. Commerce is often described as the “circulatory system” of an economy, responsible for the flow of goods from global manufacturers to end-users. However, in Nigeria, this system is currently suffering from a “Lagos bottleneck” that is driving inflationary pressure and stifling the country’s entrepreneurial potential.
The Lagos Port Bottleneck
Despite Nigeria’s vast coastline and multiple maritime gateways, over 70 percent of all cargo cleared into the country is funneled through the Lagos axis (Apapa and Tin Can ports). This centralization has led to:
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Sub-optimal Performance: Inefficient clearing processes that delay the movement of goods.
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Hidden Costs: “Invisible charges” caused by congestion and delays, which are passed on to consumers as part of the current inflationary pressure.
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Geographic Imbalance: The neglect of other strategic ports across the country’s geopolitical zones.
The Call for Decentralization
To unlock Nigeria’s economic future and support a market of over 200 million people, analysts and industry observers are calling for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to aggressively rehabilitate and utilize dysfunctional or underused facilities:
Expanding operations to these locations would ease the stress on Lagos, reduce the cost of doing business, and instill fairness in the nation’s economic corporate governance.
Value Addition and the “Igba Boi” Model
The piece highlights that sustainable growth requires a shift toward value addition—manufacturing and processing Nigeria’s locally sourced agricultural and mineral resources (solid minerals and petroleum) rather than exporting them raw.
Furthermore, it acknowledges the human element of Nigerian commerce, specifically the Igbo apprenticeship scheme known as “Igba boi.”
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Entrepreneurial DNA: A culture that grooms young men into professional traders and entrepreneurs.
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Vocational Professionalism: A structured training system that provides a lifetime career in commerce, even for those who exit the formal school system early.
[Image showing a map of Nigeria with arrows pointing toward diverse port locations (Calabar, Onne, Warri) to symbolize the decentralization of maritime trade away from Lagos]
