SERC raises alarm as drug seizures hit N40bn at seaports

Nigeria's maritime gateways are becoming a significant transit point for international drug trafficking, according to a report by the Sea Empowerment & Research Centre (SERC). In the first half of 2026 alone, authorities seized over 109 tonnes of illicit drugs, valued at more than N45 billion, at the nation's seaports.

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Transnational organised crime syndicates are increasingly exploiting maritime trade routes and containerised cargo to traffic illicit drugs through Nigerian ports.

While these seizures highlight improved intelligence and inter-agency cooperation, SERC warns of an "unsettling reality." Transnational criminal organizations are increasingly using containerized cargo to smuggle narcotics through Nigerian ports. This exploitation poses a serious threat beyond criminal activity.

SERC emphasizes that persistent drug trafficking through these routes could severely damage Nigeria's international trade reputation. It may lead to stricter inspections in destination countries, longer cargo clearance times, reduced investment, and an overall higher global maritime risk profile for the country. Furthermore, maritime drug trafficking fuels money laundering, organized crime, corruption, and insecurity, all of which threaten national economic stability.

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persistent attempts to use Nigerian ports as transit corridors for narcotics could undermine the country’s international trade reputation, attract stricter destination-country inspections, increase cargo clearance delays, discourage investment, and elevate Nigeria’s global maritime risk profile.

The center urges a strategic shift from a focus on seizures to intelligence-led prevention. Recommendations include deploying AI-driven cargo profiling, increasing the use of non-intrusive scanners, enhancing container tracking, and fostering deeper collaboration among agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Nigerian Ports Authority. SERC stresses that Nigeria's ports must serve as conduits for legitimate commerce, not havens for criminals.

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Nigeria’s ports must remain gateways for legitimate international commerce, not safe havens for transnational criminal enterprises.