By Providence Ayanfeoluwa
Nigeria’s growing exposure to drug trafficking through its seaports is posing a serious threat to the country’s international trade reputation, economic competitiveness and investment prospects, the Sea Empowerment & Research Center (SEREC) has warned.
In its July 2026 Policy Bulletin released yesterday, SEREC said the persistent use of Nigerian seaports as transit routes for narcotics could trigger stricter cargo inspections by destination countries, resulting in longer cargo clearance times, higher logistics costs and disruptions to legitimate trade.
The organisation warned that the continued exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime gateways by international drug trafficking syndicates could undermine confidence in the country’s port system and elevate its global maritime risk profile.
According to the report, the consequences extend beyond criminality, with the country’s trade and economic interests also at risk.
