Exporters Alarmed by Container Shortage at Lagos Ports

Exporters in Nigeria have expressed alarm over a significant shortage of shipping containers at Lagos ports, which poses a serious threat to the country's export sector, projected to be valued at $44.06 billion by 2025. Bunmi Olumekun, the president of AWAEMAP, highlighted that foreign shipping lines are refusing to pick up export cargo, undermining Nigeria's growing export market.

Despite a reported increase in total exports from $40.29 billion in the first nine months of 2024 to $44.06 billion in the same period of 2025, Olumekun warned that the lack of action from foreign shipping companies could jeopardize these gains. He noted that vessels are not available to evacuate export cargo, leading to congestion at the ports.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has further complicated shipping routes, causing foreign shipping lines to avoid Nigerian ports. Olumekun called on the federal government to urgently address the container shortage to prevent further deterioration of the export situation.