Uche Cecil Izuora
The National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, has advocated for harmonised policies across all levels of government, saying policy inconsistency remains a major obstacle to unlocking the potential of Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Ezisi, pointed out that coherent and consistent policies are essential to attracting investment, improving trade competitiveness and positioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for long-term growth.
He made the call at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme: “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”
According to the NAGAFF President, who was represented by the association’s Secretary General, Godfrey Nwosu, Special Economic Zones are strategic instruments for national transformation that can stimulate industrial growth, enhance port efficiency and create employment opportunities if supported by the right policy environment.
“Special Economic Zones are more than just industrial clusters; they are strategic instruments for national transformation. I firmly believe that SEZs are the gateways to Nigeria’s maritime prosperity,” he said.
Ezisi noted that properly developed SEZs would boost trade competitiveness by reducing logistics bottlenecks, attract foreign direct investment into ports and coastal infrastructure, create jobs for young Nigerians, and drive innovation in shipbuilding, logistics and marine technology.
The NAGAFF President, however, warned that the country’s aspirations for a thriving blue economy could be undermined if critical challenges confronting the maritime sector are not addressed.
He identified policy inconsistency, inadequate infrastructure, security threats, environmental degradation and weak collaboration among government institutions, the private sector and host communities as major impediments to the success of Special Economic Zones.
To address these challenges, Ezisi advocated harmonised policies across the federal, state and local governments, increased investment in transport and energy infrastructure through public-private partnerships, and stronger maritime security backed by smart surveillance, enhanced naval patrols and regional cooperation.
He also called for the integration of green economy principles through renewable energy adoption, effective waste management and environmentally friendly technologies, while urging greater investment in workforce development to equip Nigerians with skills in logistics, marine sciences and digital trade.
The NAGAFF President further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, investors, academia and host communities to ensure that Special Economic Zones deliver inclusive and sustainable economic benefits.
He described the blue economy as a model that should balance economic development with environmental stewardship, insisting that Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources must be managed responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
“The future of Nigeria’s maritime industry depends on our collective resolve. If we harness SEZs effectively, we can transform our coastline into hubs of prosperity, innovation and sustainability,” Ezisi said.