By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Federal Government has set a target to reduce Nigeria’s average cargo dwell time at ports from 21 days to seven days by 2026.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards and Gala Night in Abuja, said unprecedented inter-agency collaboration has already improved port efficiency, including the introduction of joint inspection procedures in 2025.

“This inter-agency collaboration and the courage of institutions willing to break down longstanding barriers have produced a bold target: reducing cargo dwell time at our ports from an average of 21 days to just seven days by 2026,” Shettima said.

PEBEC Director-General Princess Zahrah Audu highlighted major reforms in 2024 and 2025, including the Regulatory Impact Analysis Framework, joint reform implementation accords, and critical MOUs that reduced compliance costs for manufacturers and exporters. She noted that joint inspections at the ports have already begun easing cargo processing bottlenecks.

Other achievements include the Federal Road Safety Corps clearing a 249,000-driver’s licence backlog, the rollout of a 48-hour permanent licence system, and a revamped e-visa process delivering approvals within 24–48 hours.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, described the reforms as a cultural shift toward efficiency and accountability, citing improved turnaround times, higher investor confidence, and a more predictable business environment.

Awards at the ceremony recognized outstanding contributions: Benue State received the Plaque of Collaboration Award; Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho won the Leadership Action Award; and Ahmed Lere, Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, received the Legislation Trailblazer Award.

Other top-performing MDAs included NCDMB (1st), NDLEA (2nd), Nigeria Customs Service (3rd), NCC (4th), and NPA (5th). Collaboration awards were presented to NAQS, NAFDAC, and NEPZA, while NECA and the EU received recognition for business advocacy and development partnership, respectively. Lagos, Kaduna, and Oyo states were named top performers in the State of Business Excellence Awards.