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Exporters raise the alarm over container shortage at Lagos ports

The Association of West African Exporters and Marine Professionals has warned that the worsening scarcity of shipping containers at Lagos ports is threatening the country’s export sector, which is valued at $44.06bn as of 2025.
This is even as the group lamented the refusal of shipping lines to pick export cargoes, a development they said is undermining Nigeria’s growing export market.
The President of AWAEMAP, Bunmi Olumekun, stated this in a recent chat with journalists in Lagos. The warning comes as Nigeria’s export sector has recorded significant momentum under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In February, The PUNCH reported that Nigeria’s total exports in the first nine months of 2025 outpaced the corresponding period of 2024 by $3.76bn. The figures feed into the improving local currency amid calls for inclusive gains for businesses and households.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria Quarterly Statistics (December 2025) showed that the country’s total exports in the first nine months of 2025 rose to $44.06bn, an improvement over the $40.29bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
However, Olumekun warned that deliberate actions by foreign shipping lines are now putting those gains at risk.
“The shipping companies don’t even bring vessels to Nigeria to take exports again. They prefer to go to Cotonou rather than coming to Nigeria. They want to make sure that Nigerian goods are not sellable outside Nigeria. You will see a vessel coming in to discharge cargoes and sail empty to Cotonou to carry exports,” he said.
The AWAEMAP president said export cargoes are now piling up inside terminals across the Lagos ports, with no vessels available to evacuate them and no containers to load intended exports.
“Currently, we are having a challenge getting containers to load our export cargoes out of the country. Currently, we have more export than import cargoes lying inside the terminals. Somebody told me that his export containers of perishable items have been at the port since December 2025, and there is no vessel to evacuate them,” Olumekun stated.
He said the problem is further compounded by a lack of space at the terminals to accommodate export containers, adding that the situation has triggered congestion that plagued Lagos ports before the introduction of the e-call-up system.
The AWAEMAP president also raised concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could provide foreign shipping lines with additional justification to avoid Nigerian ports, further worsening the situation.
Despite the setbacks, Olumekun acknowledged the progress recorded under the current administration. “Under President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian economy is improving in terms of export, but these foreigners want to cripple it,” he said.
Olumekun called on the Federal Government to urgently address the container scarcity.
Also speaking, an exporter who is the Managing Director of LWL Concept, Lawal Wasiu, said, “One of the challenges we are facing at the port right now is so many empty containers with no vessel to pick them up. And one big reason for that is the Iran-US war, which has affected the routes these ships follow. For example, some shipping lines have cancelled any Middle East consignment because of the war.
“So there are so many containers laden with exports, as we speak, that are still at the port waiting for vessels to come. Some terminal operators have stopped accepting export containers. Even transporters now do not want to drop empty containers at the ports because of the delay. So this is also causing the scarcity of empty containers.”
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Police arrest Bayelsa sender of gun that led to killing of Mene Ogidi

Reports say Police have arrested two persons including the Bayelsa State sender of the barretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition that led to the killing of Oghenemine Ogidi by ASP Nuhu Usman in Effurun, Delta state.
A source said two suspects were moved into the Effurun Area Command under the Delta State Police Command Wednesday night, as investigations continues towards apprehending all persons connected with movement of the gun and bullets, and the death of 28 year old Mine.
While the Police authorities keep mum on the development, a source told Vanguard, “It’s confirmed. They just brought in two suspects Wednesday night.
“It’s not been announced who is who yet, but I can tell you for free that one of them is the person who sent the gun through a transport line from Yenagoa to Effurun, from where Mine picked it to send to a Sapele owner at the Effurun Motor Park where he was caught and extrajudicially killed by ASP Nuhu and accomplices.
“Like I sad, it’s not clear if the other person among the two could be the driver who brought the parcel from Yenagoa. But it’s clear that the sender is among the duo just apprehended. And the trail continues for the other suspects.”
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National Assembly makes U-turn on eight-year eligibility for presidency contest

The Senate has made a U-turn on its Tuesday’s decision as it has rescinded a controversial amendment that barred first-time senators from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
On Tuesday, the Senate amended its Standing Orders after a marathon executive session with the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for the emergence of presiding officers in the 11th Senate, effectively limiting the contest for Senate President and other top leadership offices to returning ranking lawmakers of the current Assembly.
With the amendment on Tuesday, Senate leadership positions will follow a hierarchy beginning with former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former Principal Officers, senators who have completed at least one full term, lawmakers transitioning from the House of Representatives, and finally, first-time senators where no higher-ranking candidates emerge.
The amendment also stipulates that only Senators returning from the current 10th Assembly after re-election can contest for Senate President and other key leadership offices.
The reversal was adopted on Thursday through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central and presided over by Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau.
On why the reversal matters, Bamidele said that with the rule gone, the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly is now open to all elected senators regardless of tenure.
The backtrack also signals a shift within the ruling party towards a more competitive and inclusive process for selecting the next Senate leadership, rather than pre-determining it through tenure restrictions.
The motion is titled, Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended.
Presenting the motion, Bamidele said, “the Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026;
“Observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof;
“Notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice;
“Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework;
“Accordingly resolves to: rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.
” Rescission and Re-Committal of the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026 to the Committee of the Whole.
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Breaking News
Gunmen Abduct Eight Students in Midnight Raid Near Nasarawa State University

Suspected gunmen have abducted no fewer than eight students during a midnight attack on off-campus hostels near the Engineering Campus of Nasarawa State University in Gudi.
The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, with armed attackers storming several student lodges and whisking victims away to an unknown location.
A source said students hid in fear throughout the operation, complaining about the absence of immediate security intervention. The attack has heightened tension as students are currently writing examinations. Calls have been made for security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.
Key Points:
Eight students were abducted from off-campus hostels near the university.
The attack happened around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday while students were writing exams.
No visible security response was present during the operation.
Students and residents are calling for urgent rescue and improved security.
Fear has spread across the university community.
Sources: PM News
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