Logistics Experts Push FG To Harness Nigeria’s $60 Billion Sector
By BUNMI BUSOLA
NIGERIA’S logistics industry—valued at an estimated $60 billion—could become a major engine of national wealth, job creation, and industrial growth if properly regulated and supported, experts said at the CLMI International Conference and Investiture 2025 held in Lagos.
Prof. Simon Emeje, Chairman of the Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI), said research shows the sector holds vast untapped potential but remains weakened by poor operating conditions and a regulatory framework that merges policy oversight with service operations. He urged the government to restructure the system, noting that a fully optimised logistics industry could generate revenue equivalent to “at least 50% of a national budget.”
Emeje also said recent US tariffs under AGOA should prompt African nations to strengthen domestic value chains, adding that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) provides a major opportunity for intra-African expansion.
Chairman of the occasion, Sen. Aliyu Bilbis, described logistics as the backbone of Nigeria’s industrial and job creation prospects, noting the sector’s estimated value of N25 trillion and its 4.5% contribution to GDP. He highlighted how digital tools are reshaping trade and distribution, urging the government to prioritise logistics for economic competitiveness and national security.
Delivering the keynote, NPA Chairman Sen. Adebayo Adeyeye—represented by Mr. Bosun Oladele—said over 80% of Nigeria’s international trade remains maritime-based, making logistics “the new frontier of wealth creation.” He highlighted ongoing reforms such as port digitisation, e-Customs integration, improved access routes, and deeper channels for larger vessels. He also called for more PPP investment, specialised bank financing, and stronger academic training in logistics.
The event also featured the convocation of PhD graduates in logistics from Paul’s Greek University, a milestone in CLMI’s professionalisation drive. Sector leaders, including the Indonesian-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, pledged support, while the Association of Nigeria Courier and Logistics Operators renewed calls for an independent regulator to strengthen the industry.
