NRS to enhance port efficiency

The nation’s maritime sector is positioned for a major efficiency boost as the Federal Government prepares to launch the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in January 2026, a unified platform that will consolidate federal revenue collection across key port agencies.

 The Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC), in its latest policy bulletin, described the reform as a potentially transformative step for trade facilitation and fiscal integrity, provided that implementation is guided by transparency, competitive procurement, and strong oversight.

SEREC noted that the NRS offers an unprecedented opportunity to streamline port charges, eliminate duplications, strengthen audit trails, and simplify compliance for terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders and truckers. It added that a centralised system could enhance the country’s competitiveness by reducing transaction friction and improving predictability for international carriers calling at the ports.

Head of Research at SEREC, Eugene Nweke, affirmed that the reform holds substantial promise. According to him, “centralising revenue collection through the NRS could transform Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness and fiscal integrity.”

He explained that the consolidation of collection mandates previously split across Customs, the NPA, NIMASA, the Shippers’ Council, CRFFN and FIRS could create clearer financial visibility and reduce leakages that have historically weakened port performance.

However, SEREC emphasised that unlocking these benefits depends on government’s ability to address public trust concerns around centralisation.

It observed that the rollout is taking place at a time when citizens are increasingly frustrated by governance gaps in infrastructure, security and service delivery. These long-standing concerns, it said, fuel scepticism about whether the reform will truly reflect improved value for port users and taxpayers.

A major source of public anxiety, according to the position paper, is the potential involvement of private consultants in managing revenue-collection platforms. SEREC warned that without explicit accountability structures, outsourcing could create opportunities for opaque intermediaries, rent-seeking and proprietary systems that limit scrutiny. It stated that “the public fear that private consultants might be used as opaque intermediaries is legitimate and must be addressed proactively.”

Even with these concerns, SEREC stressed that the risks are manageable, and that government can prevent negative outcomes through well-designed safeguards. It outlined how transparent contract publication, strict procurement standards, real-time remittance rules and open data frameworks can ensure that centralisation does not translate into unchecked power or revenue capture.

The centre also identified areas where the maritime sector will require support during the transition. It observed that ongoing Central Bank cash-withdrawal and transaction limits have accelerated digitisation across logistics chains, but noted that many small operators at the ports still depend on cash for daily operations. The group cautioned that rapid migration to digital payments may create short-term liquidity pressure for truckers, freight handlers and SMEs unless government provides a structured, supportive onboarding process.

Security considerations also featured prominently in the assessment. SEREC pointed out that certain emergency situations, particularly in high-risk transport corridors, may require carefully designed cash-access mechanisms to protect lives. It urged policymakers to embed security-sensitive exceptions within the NRS framework to prevent unintended harm while maintaining the integrity of anti-money-laundering controls.

To harness the full advantages of the reform while maintaining stability, the maritime think-tank proposed a comprehensive suite of 13 safeguards. Key recommendations include the publication of all consultant contracts before signing; open competitive bidding for all revenue-related services; fixed-term contracts capped at 24 months; and prohibitions against private custody of public funds.

The group also advised that all revenues be remitted instantly into government-controlled escrow accounts, with maritime levies ring-fenced for approved projects.

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In addition, SEREC called for open API systems, machine-readable receipts, quarterly independent audits, live public dashboards on revenue flows, and a multi-stakeholder oversight board that includes maritime operators, civil society and the Legislature. It recommended whistleblower channels for reporting suspicious activity and targeted support measures such as digital onboarding, subsidised transaction costs and liquidity support for SMEs.

The bulletin further proposed a phased implementation to reduce disruption. The plan begins with publishing legal frameworks and procurement guardrails, followed by a controlled pilot within a selected port cluster. A mid-term independent evaluation would determine whether the system should be expanded to additional revenue lines, while nationwide rollout would be contingent on meeting specified audit, security and stakeholder-consultation benchmarks.

Despite the cautionary notes, SEREC maintained that the NRS could dramatically reshape Nigeria’s maritime governance if executed with discipline and transparency.

Nweke reinforced this view, stating that the positive impact will only materialise “if implementation is anchored in transparency, strict procurement and custody rules, credible oversight, AML/security integration, and targeted social protections.” Without these principles, he warned, “the NRS risks deepening the very governance problems it aims to solve.”

In its conclusion, SEREC underscored that Nigeria’s maritime sector stands at a defining moment. With the right safeguards, the NRS could deliver clearer financial visibility, improved port efficiency, stronger anti-corruption outcomes and a more competitive environment for domestic and international maritime operators.

The centre urged policymakers to seize the opportunity, implement reforms responsibly, and build the trust needed to ensure that centralisation strengthens, rather than destabilises, the nation’s maritime future.