How Apapa Gridlock Cripples Cargo Movement from Lagos to Jos and Abuja — Northern Importers Count Losses By Romeon Okwo Abuja

The Apapa port gridlock that returned this week is not just a Lagos problem — its effects are being felt 1,200km away in Jos, Plateau State and Abuja, importers told Nigeria Anchorage.

Findings by Nigeria Anchorage in Jos on September 22, 2026 show that cargoes that left Apapa Port 10 days ago are still stuck on the road, unable to reach northern markets.

Jos Traders Lament Delay

At Terminus Market, Jos, Musa Abdullahi, a spare parts importer, said his 40-foot container of automotive parts has spent 8 days on the road from Lagos to Jos, a journey that should take 24 hours.

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My clearing agent said trucks are blocked at Ijora and Mile 2. They cannot even exit Apapa. I have customers waiting in Jos, Bauchi and Gombe, but my goods are trapped in Lagos gridlock," Abdullahi said

Another importer, Mrs. Grace Pam, who imports building materials from China through Apapa, said she now pays N1.8 million to move a container from Apapa to Jos, up from N1.2 million three weeks ago.

"The transporters say they spend 3 days just to exit Apapa port. They burn fuel in traffic, pay for Eto call-up ticket, and still pay LASTMA officials. All these costs are added to our freight," she lamented.

Abuja Importers Also Hit

The situation is similar in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, home base of Nigeria Anchorage. Importers at Apo Mechanic and Dei-Dei building materials market said cargoes from Lagos now take 7-12 days instead of 3 days.

A clearing agent based in Abuja, who pleaded anonymity, said northern importers are the worst hit by Apapa gridlock because they pay double — port delay plus road delay.

"Once a container is delayed at Apapa for 4 days due to Eto failure, the truck driver will also spend 2 days in traffic to exit Lagos. By the time it reaches Jos or Abuja, the importer has lost a week of sales," he explained.

NPA Eto System Failure Blamed

The Electronic Truck Call-Up system (Eto) managed by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was designed to end Apapa gridlock, but its enforcement breakdown this week has caused trucks without Eto tickets to flood Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

NPA has warned that trucks without Eto tickets will be impounded, but enforcement remains weak along Ijora-Costain-Mile 2 axis.

Cost Implications for North

Transport cost: N1.2M to N1.8M per 40ft container (Apapa to Jos)

Time cost: 3 days to 10 days (Apapa to Jos)

Storage cost: Importers pay demurrage at Apapa when trucks cannot access port on time

Market cost: Prices of imported goods in Jos and Abuja up by 15% due to delay

Solution Needed

Stakeholders urged NPA and Lagos State Government to restore full Eto enforcement and create a dedicated truck lane for northern-bound cargoes to decongest Apapa exit.

For now, northern importers in Jos, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna continue to count losses as Lagos gridlock holds their cargoes hostage.

Stay tuned to Nigeria Anchorage for daily Lagos anchorage and Apapa gridlock updates.