Effect of Port Congestion at Apapa Port on the Competitiveness of Nigerian Export Firms

This research examines the effect of port congestion at Apapa Port, Lagos, on the international competitiveness of Nigerian export firms. As Nigeria's primary gateway for international trade, Apapa handles a disproportionate share of the country's import and export cargo. Persistent congestion, inadequate berth capacity, unreliable cargo handling equipment, and poor road infrastructure connecting the port to the city have imposed severe logistical costs on export-oriented businesses. The study employs a descriptive research design, collecting primary data from 110 export managers, freight forwarders, and shipping agents operating at or serving the Apapa Port through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Secondary data are drawn from the Nigerian Ports Authority and published logistics performance indices for Nigeria. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and thematic analysis of qualitative responses. The study measures the impact of port congestion on export lead times, transportation costs, cargo damage rates, and order fulfilment reliability, all of which are central to competitiveness in global markets. Theoretical grounding draws on Porter's diamond model of competitive advantage and supply chain management theory. Findings are expected to reveal that excessive port dwell times significantly erode Nigeria's price competitiveness in agricultural and manufactured exports. Recommendations include investment in port infrastructure modernisation, adoption of electronic cargo tracking systems, and development of alternative ports to decongest Apapa. This research contributes empirical evidence to policy discussions on improving Nigeria's trade logistics performance. Keywords: port congestion, Apapa, export competitiveness, logistics, Nigeria