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LIRS targets banks, employers to recover unpaid taxes

LIRSThe Lagos State Internal Revenue Service has announced that it will enforce its statutory powers to recover unpaid taxes from defaulting taxpayers through third parties, including banks, employers, debtors, tenants, and business partners.

This is contained in a public notice dated January 21, 2026, and sighted by our correspondent on the LIRS website on Sunday.

According to the notice, signed by the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr Ayodele Subair, the state revenue service is empowered by Section 60 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, to direct any person holding money on behalf of, or owing money to, a taxpayer who has failed to settle a final tax liability to remit such funds.

The agency said the power of substitution applies to unpaid Personal Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duties, and Withholding Tax administered by LIRS.

The notice read, “The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) issues this public notice to inform the general public, particularly employers, financial institutions, business operators, and tax agents, of the provisions of Section 60 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 (NTAA 2025), relating to the power of substitution vested in the relevant tax authority.

“The NTAA 2025 empowers the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service to direct any person holding money on behalf of, or owing money to, a taxpayer who has failed to pay an established final tax liability when due, to remit such money to the Service in settlement, or partial settlement, of the outstanding tax.

“The power of substitution is a lawful collection mechanism designed to ensure efficient recovery of unpaid taxes, including Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Stamp Duties, and Withholding Tax (WHT) administered by LIRS.”

Clarifying the circumstances that may warrant such action, the notice stated, “Where a taxpayer fails, neglects, or refuses to settle any established outstanding tax liability when due, LIRS may exercise its power under Section 60 to direct any of the following persons to pay the amount owed by the taxpayer.”

It said, “Banks and other financial institutions, employers, tenants, debtors, customers, agents, business partners, and any person owing money to a defaulting taxpayer may be directed to pay such amounts directly to LIRS.”

On the process, the notice stated that “once a substitution notice is issued, the person served is statutorily required to remit to LIRS the amount specified in the notice from funds belonging to, or payable to, the defaulting taxpayer.”

LIRS explained that failure to comply with a substitution directive constitutes an offence under the Act, adding that the tax liability is deemed settled only to the extent of the amount remitted.

The Service said banks and financial institutions served with substitution notices are required to remit the stated amount without delay, confirm compliance via the LIRS e-Tax platform, and provide information on the taxpayer’s available balances where requested.

Employers, agents, tenants, and other affected parties were also directed to withhold the specified sums from funds due to the taxpayer and remit the same to LIRS within the period stated in the notice.

LIRS noted that any person who does not hold or owe money to the taxpayer must notify the Service in writing within the stipulated period. The notice further stated that affected parties may object in writing to an assessment within 30 days of receiving a substitution notice, in line with appeal provisions under the law

While enforcement actions may be taken through substitution, LIRS said defaulting taxpayers remain liable for any unpaid balance not recovered and advised them to settle outstanding assessments promptly to avoid penalties.

The notice warned that non-compliance with substitution directives could attract liability equal to the tax amount specified, additional penalties and interest, enforcement measures including distraint, and possible prosecution.

admin by — January 26, 2026 in Business 0
REA partners Lotus Bank on renewable energy finance

just-REA-logoThe Rural Electrification Agency and Lotus Bank have moved to scale up renewable energy financing in Nigeria with plans to establish a dedicated funding facility under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up programme.

In a statement on Sunday, the REA said the development followed a high-level meeting between both institutions recently, marking a shift from project-by-project financing to a structured, large-scale financial framework aimed at accelerating energy access nationwide.

Speaking during the engagement, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, urged Lotus Bank to adopt a bold and deliberate approach by setting a clear global funding target for the proposed facility. He stressed that Nigeria’s energy transition would only achieve meaningful impact if financing moved beyond pilot projects to support rapid developer scale-up.

Aliyu said the new facility must be backed by strong internal standards and a design that enables renewable energy developers to expand operations quickly across underserved and unserved communities.

“That level of intentionality is exactly what the sector needs if we are serious about moving from pilots to impact at scale,” he stated.

Lotus Bank, which has already supported several DARES-linked projects, is expected under the new arrangement to institutionalise its commitment by creating a standalone financing window dedicated to renewable energy deployment.

The partnership reflects a growing shift among Nigerian financial institutions, which are increasingly recognising renewable energy not merely as a social intervention but as a commercially viable and bankable sector.

The statement added that both organisations are currently working towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the collaboration. The MoU is expected to unlock structured capital capable of significantly accelerating the rollout of clean energy solutions across rural and peri-urban areas.

The REA expressed optimism that the initiative would serve as a blueprint for other commercial banks, helping to mobilise private-sector investment and close Nigeria’s persistent energy access gap through sustainable financing models.

“Both organisations are now working toward the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding to institutionalise the partnership. This agreement is expected to provide the structured capital necessary to accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions to underserved and unserved communities nationwide.

“The REA remains optimistic that this collaboration will serve as a model for other commercial banks, building the necessary momentum to bridge Nigeria’s energy deficit through sustainable, private-sector-led investment,” the statement concluded.

admin by — January 26, 2026 in Business 0
Port modernisation key to economic expansion – NPA boss, Dantsoho

Dantosho1In Nigeria, the port authority is owned by the government and manages navigation, safety, and maintenance of the channels, while cargo operations have been privatised to multinational and local terminal operators such as MSC and APMT. With a large and growing population of over 230 million and Africa’s leading economy, we require a more efficient port system than what we inherited. Fortunately, we now have forward-looking leadership in His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who created the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to supervise the NPA and appointed a result-oriented professional in the person of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who is poised to do a lot in terms of expansion, upgrading and rehabilitation to meet our projected capacity. This has motivated us to deploy our experience into transforming the ports.

How would you describe the current state of Nigeria’s port infrastructure?

With regard to port infrastructure, what we failed to do early enough was to construct brand-new ports, which we have now aggressively commenced with the operationalisation of the Lekki Deep Seaport, which is fully automated and has a natural draught of 17 metres. We are also ramping up investment in order to build more deep-seaports.

Our major ports, such as Apapa and Tin Can, are outdated. The Port of Apapa was built 100 years ago. Even though it has 24 berths, most of them are old. Limited expansion and modernisation make it difficult to accommodate larger, modern vessels. Our second-biggest port, Tin Can, was built almost 50 years ago. However, vessel sizes, speed, and the technology that drives them have changed significantly, making it difficult for them to operate efficiently in Nigeria. Also, these two ports are river ports, so they are relatively shallow.

By contrast, neighbouring countries such as Ghana (Tema), Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan), Togo (Lomé), and Benin (Cotonou) acted faster and are now ahead of us. Their ports are deeper and more modernised. Yet, the fact remains that we have a greater population than all of these countries and are stronger economically, but cargo is diverted there because they have strategically positioned their ports to be more efficient in terms of infrastructure, equipment, and technology. These are challenges, but also opportunities for growth, which we are poised to maximise.

How is the International Association of Ports and Harbors supporting Nigeria and other developing countries to address these issues?

This relates to our “Closing the Gaps” exercise carried out a few years ago, towards the end of the pandemic, to identify regional investment priorities for ports in areas such as infrastructure, technology, and port community systems. Since then, we have been working with regional institutions, development banks, and the World Bank to determine how investment support can be provided so that, ultimately, we have competitive ports across all regions.

The Nigerian Ports Authority is a very interesting port administration because it is closely linked to the government and the maritime administration, creating stronger coordination with the IMO than in many other countries, which is a major strength. Our challenges are numerous, but it is important to understand the history and context of Nigeria and its ports. Accurate assessment requires this historical background; you cannot simply compare Nigeria with countries like Belgium or the Netherlands. We modelled the reform of our port system on recommendations from an international consulting firm and, to a large extent, on the Antwerp system. Implementing a master plan of that nature takes time, but that is the path we have chosen.

In what ways can port modernisation drive Africa’s economic development?

Africa is unique because it is the only continent where the most populous country, which doubles as the strongest economy, does not have the biggest seaport. Africa’s total population is around 1.5 billion, so the potential is enormous, and the opportunities for growth remain intact. We still have vast mining resources in the ground, but a lack of technology, economic strategy, support, and organisation, compared with countries like China, has held us back. For example, the Port of Shanghai handled about 41 million TEUs last year, while Africa as a whole handled just 34 million TEUs. China is now investing heavily in Africa because of this gap, such as the $16bn Simandou iron ore project in Guinea Conakry.

What role will Nigeria’s ports play in boosting the wider economy?

We are adopting a multi-dimensional approach by encouraging more mining and more agriculture, so our seaports will have the capacity not only to receive imports but also to export. We are also pursuing partnerships that will lead to the establishment of a new deep-seaport in Nigeria. We already have licences or permits for six, and I hope that we can deliver at least one of them. We intend to emulate projects like Tanger-Med in Morocco, with a brand-new terminal equipped with the latest technology and developed in collaboration with the best partners in the world. With these elements in place, foreign investors will naturally be attracted, having seen the commitment of the government.

How does your role at IAPH support this transformation agenda?

I appreciate the leadership of Patrick and IAPH. His leadership style and the quality of decisions being taken are particularly important for developing economies such as those in Africa. I recall a recent board meeting where the discussions and directions were clearly focused on supporting developing systems, not only in Africa but also in smaller regions and mid-level economies like Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, and Nigeria. It is important for IAPH to invest more time in understanding the ecosystems of developing economies because of their strong potential. We are not seeking sympathy; we are seeking collaboration and support.

What key message would you like to leave with P&H readers?

I was fortunate to listen to experts at the World Ports Conference in Kobe last October, and I took home many ideas from that engagement. Fundamentally, we are working towards a more modernised port system in Nigeria, one capable of accommodating the critical elements governing maritime activities in the present era. We also intend to strengthen our capacity for better engagement and deeper cooperation with international groups such as IAPH and other industry bodies.

admin by — January 26, 2026 in Business 0
Automatic ticket issue will be resolved – APC expresses readiness to receive Kano’s Yusuf

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, has said the party is open to welcoming Governor Abba Yusuf if he defects from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Abbas said the APC would not reject any politician joining its ranks, stressing that politics is about strength in numbers.

“He is welcome to our party, because politically no right thinking politician will reject a political addition and as you know, politics is a game of numbers,” he said.

“Therefore, defection to your party means addition to your number and by extension an increase to our success during the polls.”

Abbas added that the party’s position has always been clear.

“We have made our point clear on several occasions that we will welcome anyone that has seen the beauty of our party and wants to join us,” he said in am interview with Daily trust.

On concerns about automatic tickets, Abbas said the issue is premature.

“That is not an issue for now, it is an issue of when all processes are completed and whoever is coming has finalized his or her defection processes,” he said.

He noted that Governor Yusuf would not be defecting alone.

“There are elected local government chairmen, councilors and other political office holders that will defect to our party with him,” Abbas said.

According to him, discussions on strategy would come later.

“Therefore, it is an issue of when all has been finalized, then we will sit down and map out a strategy that all will benefit from,” he said, adding that the party’s focus is winning the 2027 elections.

“We await his coming and believe me we will work out a modality that will ensure the success of the party in a unanimous manner without any form of crisis between old members and the new members,” Abbas said.

Sharing his personal view, he added, “I believe in Nigerian political contests, it is very hard for an incumbent governor to fail the primaries.”

Abbas also dismissed reports about delays in the governor’s defection. He described them as rumours, saying, “The governor didn’t openly declare that he was coming to APC on a particular date.”

He explained that defection by a sitting governor involves careful steps.

“A governor’s defection is not something that one can just work-up one day and say, I have decamped,” Abbas said.

“There are processes involved and until those processes are duly followed and completed, the defection continues to remain a plan yet to be executed.”

admin by — January 24, 2026 in News 0
Kano LG chair Sa’adatu Soja resigns, discloses reasons

The Executive Chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government Area, Hon. Sa’adatu Salisu Soja MaiJamaa, has resigned her membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

She announced her resignation in a letter dated Friday, January 23, 2026, and addressed to the leadership of the party in Tudun Wada Local Government Area.

In the letter, which was made available to journalists, Sa’adatu said her decision was taken to align with the political direction of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“My decision to resign was necessitated in order to follow the footsteps of my leader, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, Executive Governor of Kano State,” she said.

She explained that the decision was carefully taken to enable her support the development agenda of Kano State and its people through meaningful projects and initiatives.

“In view of the above, I hereby resign my membership of the party,” the letter stated.

Sa’adatu also expressed appreciation to the NNPP leadership and members for their support during her time in the party.

admin by — January 24, 2026 in News 0
They’re obsessed with Atiku, Obi – Phrank Shaibu hits presidency over reversal of ambassadorial appointment

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, on Saturday criticised the presidency over what he described as repeated administrative blunders and a lack of competence in governance.

Shaibu reacted to the brief announcement and subsequent withdrawal of Usman Dakingari’s appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador to Turkey.

Posting on X, Shaibu said Dakingari was announced as an ambassador, only for the presidency to retract the announcement minutes later without any official explanation.

He described the incident as the 11th public reversal by the current administration, arguing that such actions create confusion, uncertainty and show disrespect for public institutions.

Shaibu accused the presidency of being preoccupied with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, rather than focusing on effective governance.

“A government that cannot keep track of its own announcements cannot be trusted to run a country,” Shaibu said, adding that governance should not be treated like a social media message that can be deleted without accountability.

He further criticised what he called a pattern of carelessness in official appointments, recalling past incidents in which deceased individuals were reportedly announced for positions, while living appointees were embarrassed by sudden reversals.

Shaibu urged the presidency to uphold higher standards, stressing that serious governments verify decisions before making them public and provide clear explanations when errors occur.

He said: “They’ve appointed the dead before. Now they appointed Dakingari an ambassador and withdrew it before lunch time at ‘Iya Oyo’ without explanation.

“Usman Dakingari was announced as Turkey ambassador. Minutes later: no appointment ever happened.

“This is the 11th public reversal by this administration. Eleven times of confusion, uncertainty, and institutional disrespect

“While Nigerians battle hardship, the presidency is obsessed with @atiku and @PeterObi instead of basic competence.

“A government that can’t track its own announcements can’t run a country.

“@aonanuga1956 governance is not a WhatsApp broadcast that can simply be deleted. Serious governments explain themselves.

“Serious governments double-check before announcing appointments. Serious governments do not wake up to appoint the dead, embarrass living appointees, and then pretend nothing happened.”

admin by — January 24, 2026 in News 0
‘It’s national embarrassment’ – Nigerians react as National grid collapses

Nigerians have lashed out at the Federal Government over what they described as the embarrassing constant collapse of the national grid.

Nigeria’s national electricity grid suffered a total collapse on Friday, plunging parts of the country into blackout in the first such incident recorded in 2026.

According to the figures from the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, power generation fell to zero megawatts, while electricity supply to all 11 distribution companies dropped completely by about 1 p.m.

NISO disclosed that the affected distribution firms include Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja and Yola, all of which recorded zero load allocation at the time of the collapse.

A cross-section of Nigerians, who spoke to DAILY POST on the development, said the regular collapse of the national grid is a national embarrassment.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a Nigerian, Paul Igbashangev said it was quite disheartening that Nigeria had continued to experience this very often.

He said: “It’s quite unfortunate that our country at this level is always talking of national grid collapsing. The frequent grid collapse is a concern, and we are hoping the authorities will find a lasting solution soon. It is affecting businesses and households alike.”

Another Nigerian, Iwuchukwu Ike, said nothing is working under this administration, lamenting that since coming on board of the administration, it has been from one drama to another.

“The national grid has collapsed again? It’s quite painful that this thing is collapsing on every eke market day.

“I could remember how Peter Obi went to Egypt to see how they’re getting it right. APC supporters mocked him. Now see us see Disco,” he said.

On his part, Ngozi Ikechukwu, said it is too much to bear the current economic hardship.

“See what these people who promised us heaven on earth are doing to us. How can we be battling with national grid collapse when the year has just started?” She queried.

Also speaking, Mustapha Audu said that the Federal Government should adopt the Compress Natural Gas, CNG, to put an end to the constant collapse of the national grid.

“I think what the Federal Government should do is to get a CNG electricity conversion solution to this national grid collapse. A country of 200 million people having a nationwide blackout without a natural disaster like a hurricane? A shame of a nation,” he said.

According to another respondent, Adamu Yusuf, some people are playing politics with the national grid for their selfish purposes.

He said: “There is nothing serious about the frequent collapse of the national grid. Some group of persons are just playing politics with it to make money

“National grid is something that is supposed to take years before collapsing, but it has become business as usual and nobody is asking them.”

On his part, Adah Joseph said the regular collapse of the national grid affects the national economy, causing a decline in the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

“It’s rather unfortunate that the devastating effects of the constant collapse of the national grid has continued.

“This also affects individual businesses of different kinds, especially food related businesses that need constant power supply for the use of refrigerators.

“And as it also affects Nigerians in different aspects, including health facilities.

“It is high time, therefore, that the government included our power sector amongst topmost  priorities to end this embarrassment,” he posited.

In the same vein, Augustine Oyiwona urged the government to invest massively in new transmission lines and substations, stressing that most of them are more than 40 to 50 years

He said: “Manual systems should be replaced with a modern real time grid monitoring system. Transmission Company of Nigeria,TCN, should be run like a technical utility and not a ministry desk.

“As passed by the National Assembly and signed into law, the state governments should legally be made to generate, transmit and distribute power.”

According to another respondent, Paul Igbadi, “To me, it is like total negligence on the side of our government.”

admin by — January 24, 2026 in News 0
Malami raises alarm over DSS detention, alleges obstruction of legal defence

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has raised concerns over what his office described as deliberate attempts by security agencies to frustrate his constitutional right to fair hearing and effective legal defence.

Malami’s office accused the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of engaging in actions that allegedly undermined a valid court order and obstructed his legal preparations in an ongoing interim forfeiture case.

In a statement issued by Mohammed Bello Doka, Special Assistant on Media to Malami, the office alleged that the EFCC delayed the submission of Malami’s international passports to the Federal High Court for about one week, despite the documents being a key condition for the perfection of his bail.

According to the statement, the delay prolonged Malami’s detention unnecessarily and hindered the execution of the court’s bail order.

The statement further claimed that shortly after Malami perfected his bail and was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre, he was rearrested by the DSS and detained for five days without access to his lawyers or family.

Doka alleged that Malami was only allowed to meet his legal team on Friday after what the office described as prolonged isolation and violations of his fundamental rights.

He explained that the detention occurred at a critical period when he was required to prepare his defence in an EFCC interim forfeiture proceeding before the Federal High Court, stressing that denying him access to counsel impaired his ability to consult and give instructions.

“The sequence of events suggests a pattern where arrest precedes investigation, with evidence sought after detention,” Doka alleged.

He warned that such practices undermine the authority of the judiciary and pose a serious threat to the rule of law.

“The Office stresses that bail granted by a court must have meaning.

No agency should be permitted to neutralise judicial orders through coordinated delays, rearrests, or denial of access to legal representation,” the statement read.

The office maintained that Malami remains ready to defend himself in court and called on state institutions to respect court orders, constitutional guarantees and the rule of law.

admin by — January 24, 2026 in News 0
Benue: FRSC records 47.6% drop in road crash fatalities during ember months

Benue State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Dahunsi, has revealed that road crash fatalities across the state dropped significantly during the 2025 ember months, recording a 47.6 per cent decline.

Dahunsi made this known on Friday while addressing journalists in Makurdi.

He explained that the data emerged from the FRSC’s Ember Month Road Safety Campaign, tagged Operation Zero, which was implemented between December 15, 2025, and January 15, 2026.

According to him, the ember months are usually characterised by intense vehicular traffic due to festive journeys and increased commercial activities.

The sector commander noted that the 2025/2026 operation came with notable challenges, as several ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across Benue State led to diversions, traffic congestion, and higher safety risks for motorists and pedestrians.

Despite these difficulties, Dahunsi said the command achieved remarkable results through strategic planning, consistent enforcement, effective traffic control, swift rescue responses, and strong cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

He disclosed that the number of road traffic crashes during the period reduced from 41 recorded in the previous ember season to 32, amounting to a 21.9 per cent decrease.

“Fatal crashes declined from 12 to eight, while serious crashes reduced slightly from 20 to 19 and minor crashes saw a sharper drop from nine to five.

“Also, 178 persons were involved in road traffic crashes during the operation, when compared to 196 in the corresponding period of the previous year.

“Of this number, 11 persons lost their lives, while 63 sustained injuries, compared to 88 previously and the number of persons rescued without injury remained constant at 87,” he said.

Dahunsi attributed the positive outcome to increased patrols, visible enforcement measures, and the use of mobile courts, which he said helped improve motorists’ compliance and discouraged traffic offences.

He added that there was a marked improvement in the use of safety devices such as seat belts, crash helmets, and speed-limiting mechanisms among drivers.

The sector commander further stated that during the operation, a total of 2,028 offenders were arrested for committing 2,128 traffic violations.

He added that 833 vehicles were impounded, while 1,195 valid vehicle documents and national driver’s licences were seized.

However, he raised concerns over lingering issues including excessive speeding, night driving, and disregard for traffic regulations, particularly around road construction areas.

Dahunsi applauded the corps marshal and the FRSC management for their leadership and support, and also commended officers and personnel of the Benue sector command for their commitment and professionalism throughout the exercise

admin by — January 24, 2026 in News 0
Shippers reject new port fees, warn of soaring costs

Nigerian Shippers’ CouncilThe National Shippers Association of Nigeria has rejected the recent increase in port service charges approved by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, warning that the move could raise trade costs and undermine the Federal Government’s Ease-of-Doing-Business agenda.

In a position paper submitted to the NSC, the association said the approval process was flawed, alleging that shippers were excluded from consultations required under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act. NSAN, which represents cargo owners nationwide, described the development as a breach of regulatory trust.

“This is not just a procedural oversight; it is a regulatory failure,” the association said, arguing that the Council appeared to prioritise terminal operators’ profitability over the interests of shippers and the wider economy.

NSAN cautioned that the higher charges could increase landing costs for imports, worsen inflationary pressures, and create uncertainty for businesses already grappling with high operating costs.

The group also questioned the value proposition of the increase, noting that port efficiency has not improved sufficiently to justify higher tariffs. The association called on the NSC to immediately suspend implementation of the new charges and convene an inclusive stakeholder meeting within 14 days to agree on a transparent framework for future tariff reviews.

“We trust that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will act with the integrity and fairness envisioned in its enabling act,” the Acting National President of NSAN, Alhaji Jamilu Goma, said.

NSAN said copies of the objection were also sent to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; the National Assembly; and key private sector bodies, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NSAN, Ali Madugu, said the decision by the shipping lines to increase tariffs by almost 60 per cent arbitrarily was made without consulting NSAN or other relevant stakeholders in the shipping industry. Madugu made this disclosure in his address to journalists following the stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos recently.

“We reject the recent tariff increase by service providers in the shipping industry, the shipping line. They arbitrarily woke up and increased their tariffs without really consulting with us, the cargo owners,” he said.

He stressed that NSAN members are the cargo owners, and there would be no shipping lines without them. According to him, it is only appropriate for the NSC and operators to consult them and reach an agreement before implementing any form of tariff increase.

It was earlier reported that the Nigerian Shippers Council had ordered all shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators at Nigerian ports to halt any tariff increases or adjustments until they had fully consulted with stakeholders.

In the statement, NSC Head of Public Relations, Rebecca Adamu, explained that the recent adjustments were approved strictly under the council’s statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator. The council stressed that all tariff reviews are conducted through a transparent, structured, and well-defined regulatory process.

It added, “Notwithstanding, shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders. As the Port Economic Regulator, the NSC will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations.”

Madugu pointed out that the association would like to know how the NSC arrived at the figures and what methodology or template was used to approve the increase. He stated that the NSC, as the regulator, ought to have engaged NSAN and other stakeholders for necessary input before making a decision.

The Western Zone Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Femi Anifowose, said stakeholders were blindsided by the decision. “Somebody cannot just wake up one day and decide to increase charges without consulting the stakeholders, and the shippers’ council has given them a letter to that effect, which is wrong,” he said.

Anifowose explained that no stakeholders were engaged before the hike, and all parties, including manufacturers, have unanimously rejected the increase. “The negotiation is still ongoing. Let’s have a talk with all stakeholders involved; that’s the position of all stakeholders,” he added.

In her address, the NSAN Secretary General, Ijeoma Ezeasor, said the association made its position clear to regulators and operators, stressing that the charges were unacceptable to cargo owners and industry players.

“We are rejecting it, and if at the end of this meeting the port charges are not reversed, we as stakeholders will go into meetings and address the public going forward. The opposition to the charges cut across the industry; every one of the stakeholders, including freight forwarders, rejected the charges,” Ezeasor noted.

admin by — January 24, 2026 in Business 0