For years, Nigerian importers have endured long waits and high costs at the seaports. Now, a new facility along the Seme border, Only God Is Wise Nigeria Limited, is offering a different path: faster clearance, lower charges, and full customs oversight without the congestion.
Many stakeholders within the Seme operational area have come to understand the role and importance of this wholly owned indigenous bonded terminal. On this note, they agree and believe that Only God Is Wise Nigeria Limited is adjudged to be Nigeria’s first-ever land-bonded terminal, operated by Nigerians.
It functions as an extension of the port logistics chain, designed to ease pressure on the overcrowded Lagos seaports and give traders a cost-effective, compliant alternative for all clearing processes.
Recently, Terminal Manager Mr. Abidemi Adetona told visiting journalists that the terminal was built to complement seaport operations by delivering speed and flexibility under the supervision of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
“This is the first land-bonded terminal ever established in Nigeria,” Adetona said. “Every procedure you see at the seaports, from documentation to customs inspection, is replicated here. The Nigerian Customs Service supervises all movements, from the Benin Republic handover to the final delivery at our terminal.”
Speed, Cost, and Compliance
Adetona said the terminal’s main strength is efficiency. Importers can move cargo from Cotonou into Nigeria in minutes, avoiding the days-long delays common at Lagos ports.
“This corridor offers a shorter and cheaper route. Instead of spending days at the seaport, goods are moved here and cleared in record time,” the manager explained.
“It helps importers save both cost and time while maintaining compliance with customs regulations.”
To support seamless operations, the terminal is equipped with modern handling equipment, including forklifts and reach stackers, to lift, stack, and move containers without delay.
The terminal remains the best haven for all clearing processes, as well as cargo handling and haulage.
“We provide all the tools needed for seamless operations — everything that makes agents’ work easier and less stressful,” Adetona noted.
Customs officers are stationed throughout the facility to ensure transparency and adherence to trade procedures.
“There’s full customs presence here. Every consignment is tracked from Benin Republic to our terminal. It’s the same level of oversight and integrity as the seaports,” he stated.
Going Digital, Holding Charges Steady
The terminal is also shifting toward digital processes to simplify documentation and payment.
“Agents can now initiate and complete their payments directly from their phones. We’re gradually shifting away from manual processing to digital facilitation,” Adetona said.
Despite economic fluctuations, the company has not increased its service charges since 2019.
“Since 2019, we haven’t changed a single thing in how we charge. We understand the hardship in the business environment, so our focus is on facilitation, not exploitation,” he explained.
The facility currently operates below capacity but has the infrastructure to scale up significantly.
“We’re just scratching the surface. Once awareness grows, this facility will transform the way cross-border trade is conducted,” Adetona said. “We have the capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 percent more trade volume if patronage improves.”
A Model for Border Trade
Adetona urged importers, freight agents, and logistics operators to take advantage of the terminal, describing it as a game-changer for regional trade logistics.
According to him, the facility represents the future of border trade facilitation in Nigeria, offering faster processes, reduced costs, improved compliance, and stronger trade flow between Nigeria and its neighboring countries.