LAGOS, Nigeria – Cocoa exporters in Nigeria have alleged that delays in export container approvals at Lagos ports have cost the industry between ₦10 billion and ₦12 billion over the past six months, citing additional charges, storage expenses and operational bottlenecks.
The Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN) accused the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) of contributing to the delays, which it said have also created opportunities for alleged extortion by some officials.
The association’s Chairman, Chief Felix Oladunjoye, made the allegations at a press conference in Lagos on Monday. He said approval processes that previously took about two hours now take at least four working days in some cases, even where exporters have completed the required documentation and payments.
Oladunjoye said the delays had increased exporters’ operating costs through additional rent and other charges, while putting international delivery commitments at risk. He also alleged that some officials demand unofficial payments to accelerate the approval process.
The association warned that prolonged delays could weaken the competitiveness of Nigerian cocoa exports, disrupt supply agreements and discourage investment in the country’s agricultural processing and export sector. COPAN called on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to investigate the complaints and ensure that officials found engaging in misconduct are held accountable.
It also urged the government to establish and enforce clear timelines for processing export container approvals. “We appeal for the establishment and enforcement of a clear service-level timeline for processing offloading approvals for export containers,” Oladunjoye said.
The association further requested a meeting involving port authorities and relevant industry stakeholders to address the reported bottlenecks and improve transparency in the approval process. The claims have raised fresh questions about the efficiency of Nigeria’s port procedures and the cost of doing business for agricultural exporters.
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