The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has paid glowing tribute to one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s maritime industry, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, as he celebrates his 75th birthday.
The President of MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, said this in a congratulatory message on Wednesday in Lagos.
Bivbere described Prince Shittu as “a colossus who bestrides the maritime industry like an octopus,” lauding his visionary leadership, pioneering reforms, and selfless service to the nation’s maritime community.
“Prince Shittu’s name has become synonymous with integrity, courage, and innovation, qualities that defined his long and impactful career as a customs broker and industry leader.
“As former President of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANLCA), Prince Shittu is widely credited with repositioning the association and restoring its dignity, unity, and relevance during his transformative eight-year tenure.
“Under his leadership, ANLCA evolved from a fragmented professional body into a formidable voice in maritime advocacy, promoting the welfare of customs brokers while fostering collaboration with government agencies and terminal operators,” he said.
Bivbere recalled that Prince Shittu’s tenure witnessed groundbreaking initiatives that improved professional standards and strengthened compliance within the freight forwarding sector.
He added that his emphasis on ethics and transparency remained a guiding principle for many practitioners today.
“Beyond his role in ANLCA, Prince Shittu has been a consistent voice for industry reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation, reducing bottlenecks, and enhancing operational efficiency at Nigeria’s ports.
“Colleagues and contemporaries describe him as a man of discipline and conviction, one who never shied away from speaking truth to power when it came to protecting the interests of maritime stakeholders.
“MARAN praised his mentorship of younger professionals, noting that many of today’s successful customs brokers and freight forwarders owe their growth to his guidance and encouragement,” he said.
Bivbere also commended Prince Shittu’s entrepreneurial spirit as the Chief Executive Officer of Skelas Group of Companies, a conglomerate that had contributed significantly to job creation and economic growth within and beyond the maritime sector.
According to the statement, Prince Shittu’s journey from a young customs agent to an industry icon exemplifies resilience, hard work, and the belief that integrity remains the best currency in business.
“Prince Shittu’s leadership style was rooted in fairness, vision, and the courage to make tough decisions,” the statement added. “He built bridges across divides, uniting professionals under a common goal of progress and respectability,” he said.
As he turns 75, MARAN expressed profound appreciation for his unwavering support of the association and the media community, describing him as a friend of the press who always valued truthful and balanced reportage.
The association prayed for continued health, wisdom, and strength for Prince Shittu, wishing him many more years of impactful service to the maritime industry and humanity at large.
“Prince Olayiwola Shittu remains a beacon of excellence whose footprints will continue to inspire generations of maritime professionals,” Bivbere concluded.

The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has welcomed a new Commissioner of Police, CP Toyin Agbaminoja, who officially assumed duty yesterday as the 33rd Commissioner of the Command, headquartered in Apapa, Lagos.

She succeeds AIG Olanrewaju Olawale Ishola, who was recently promoted and retired from active service.

CP Agbaminoja, a distinguished officer with over three decades of service, joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1994 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

A native of Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language from the University of Ilorin.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, ASP Isaac Hundeyin, noted that her career spans a wide range of operational, investigative, and administrative roles, including postings at the Kwara State Police Command, the IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja, the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) in Ikoyi, and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

She also led police operations at the NAFDAC Enforcement Unit, tackling counterfeit and regulatory violations.

CP Agbaminoja is no stranger to the Ports Authority Police Command, having previously served as DPO Roro Port Division, Command Traffic Officer, and Area Commander, Western Ports. Her appointment marks a return to familiar terrain, now at the helm of the Command.

She has broken multiple glass ceilings in her career, becoming:

The first female Area Commander, Area ‘M’ Idimu (2017)

The first female Head of Zonal CID, Zone 2, Onikan (2021)

The first female Deputy Commissioner of Police at both the Airport Command (2023) and Oyo State CID (2024)

Promoted to Commissioner of Police in February 2025, she most recently led the Special Inquiry Bureau at FCID, Alagbon, before her deployment to Apapa.

Upon assuming office, CP Agbaminoja pledged to work closely with stakeholders in the maritime sector to enhance port security, improve operational efficiency, and foster a safe environment for economic growth.

Picture: Naval Officers from 20 countries across the world are currently on Siren Course onboard the LHD TONNERRE during a visit to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (RMRDC), Kirikiri, Lagos.

Naval Officers from 20 countries across the world, currently on the Siren Course onboard the LHD TONNERRE, have visited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for a knowledge-sharing engagement aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation.

A press statement signed by Osagie Edward, Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, NIMASA said that the team, led by the Defense Attaché at the French Embassy, Colonel Stéphane Oseo, explained that the visit sought to deepen understanding of how Maritime Administrations operate within the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Safety and Security in West and Central Africa.

He described the collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA as a model partnership worthy of study, particularly for its effectiveness in enhancing security coordination in the Gulf of Guinea.

The 40 participants, drawn from 20 different countries, have been on board the vessel since September 1st, making a port call in Lagos for two days. During the visit, they engaged with NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project officials on strategies for maritime domain awareness and inter-agency coordination.

The team also visited the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (RMRCC), where they were briefed on Nigeria’s operational procedures for maritime search and rescue coordination.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Director of Marine Environment Management, Mr. Heaky Dimowo, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to sustained regional collaboration for improved maritime safety and security across the Gulf of Guinea.

Picture: Naval Officers from 20 countries currently on the Siren Course onboard the LHD TONNERRE during a visit to the NIMASA C4i Center at Kirikiri, Lagos.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has expressed sadness over the passing of a seafarer following an attack on the MV Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, calling for an end to assaults on international shipping and urging dialogue to resolve tensions.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a crew member of the MV Minervagracht, as a result of injuries sustained during an attack on the vessel in the Gulf of Aden on 29 September 2025”, Dominguez said.

“My thoughts, along with those of the Secretariat and of the entire membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), are with the family of the crew member.

“I strongly condemn any type of attack against international shipping, regardless of its motivation or cause.

“These deplorable attacks in the Red Sea violate international law and freedom of navigation. Innocent seafarers and local populations are horrified by the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause.

Constructive dialogue is the solution to resolving ongoing geopolitical crises affecting seafarers and international shipping.”

“The Netherlands-flagged general cargo vessel came under attack approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden on September 29. Following the attack, the vessel was on fire and left adrift, creating a navigational hazard in the area.”

The attack marked the second time the MV Minervagracht had been targeted within a week, following a previous incident on September 23 while en route to Djibouti. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed that on that date, a vessel reported “a splash and the sound of an explosion in its vicinity 120 nautical miles east of Aden.”

Yemen’s Houthis have since claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has said that the centrality of Abuja coupled with its rich agro-allied potentials is germane to strengthening NPA’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to continuously grow non-oil revenue by connecting local value producers in the non-oil value chain to identified international clusters of demand for their goods.

According to him, the position of Abuja as the centre of the country is strategic to the NPA’s renewed trade facilitation focus that places a high premium on port-hinterland connectivity, which Abuja’s centrality accentuates, presents a seamless linkage with the comparative advantages inherent in all regions of the federation that can be harnessed to sustain growth in the volume and value of Nigeria’s exports.

He said as Nigeria’s foremost trade facilitation platform, the authority is always proud to be associated with the noble cause the Abuja International Trade Fair represents, especially seeing that trade remains the most veritable tool for actualizing most of Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

The NPA MD used the opportunity of the occasion of the “NPA Special Day” to invite the entire trading and investing public to explore the tailor-made simplified export processes and other vistas of opportunity present at the Nigerian Ports Authority.”

He said, “As some of us are aware, in our bid to contribute to the strengthening of the domestic economy through the promotion of balance of trade we established the Export Process Terminal (EPTs) to simplify the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods.”

Dr Dantsoho explained that the EPTs were conceptualized to serve as a one-stop shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification, and onward shipment through electronic call-up to the Ports in a quick turnaround time, thus eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.

He said to facilitate the port-hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the export value chain; the EPTs have been structured to have a seamless handshake with the Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs) in synergy with the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) as well as the Inland Dry Ports.

“To align with the economic stabilization resolve of the Federal Government and the theme of the year’s fair ‘Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives and Taxation’ we are unifying our various operational channels into a singular transaction gateway known as the Ports Community System (PCS) which lays the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) which sustainably eliminates all forms of opacity and attendant delays associated with undue human interference,” he stated.

Dr Dantsoho further explained that the NSW is the global best practice for delivering the greatest value with the greatest ease by connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button, saying NPA has put measures in place to link value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe.

He assured every stakeholder that the doors of NPA are always open for partnerships even beyond the trade fair, urging them to visit the NPA’s fully interactive online, real-time website www.nigerianports.gov.ng to access our growth offerings.

Picture: NPA Boss, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, has lauded Nigeria’s remarkable achievements in maritime security, particularly its success in recording zero piracy incidents for over three years and the groundbreaking Deep Blue Project, which he described as a model for regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
A statement signed by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser, Media and Communications, to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy said Mr. Domínguez, who arrived in Nigeria on Thursday, made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola.
He noted that Nigeria’s investment in maritime safety infrastructure and the collaboration of its security agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy, have yielded tangible results in combating piracy and maritime crimes. According to him, these efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to ensuring safer seas, not just for its own waters but for the wider West and Central African region.
The IMO chief acknowledged Nigeria’s recent submission to the organization outlining its national and regional security initiatives, and while commending the progress made, he stressed the need for continued support in infrastructure development and acquisition of modern equipment. He assured that the IMO would remain committed to providing technical assistance through awareness campaigns, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives.
In highlighting the organization’s ongoing projects, Mr. Domínguez referenced a regional conference scheduled to be held in Ghana in January on the Safe Seas Project, designed to consolidate contributions from Nigeria and other partner states. He also announced ongoing discussions with the European Union aimed at launching a new maritime governance project focused on ports and security, as well as two regional projects in Southern and Western Africa where progress would be tracked through defined indicators.
Beyond security, Mr. Domínguez emphasized the need for countries to prepare for wider global challenges, including the energy transition, the adoption of biofuels, and financing mechanisms to support training of seafarers, infrastructure development, and the adoption of future fuels. He praised Nigeria’s Blue Economy Policy as a forward-looking initiative for harnessing marine resources sustainably and expressed admiration for the facilities at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, especially the training infrastructure. He encouraged greater collaboration between the academy, the Ministry of Education, and industry stakeholders to guide young Nigerians in pursuing maritime careers.
Minister Oyetola, in his address, said the IMO chief’s visit reflected the strength of Nigeria’s relationship with the global maritime body. He noted that Nigeria’s partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders had been pivotal in suppressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and reaffirmed the country’s determination to consolidate recent gains and expand opportunities in the marine and blue economy. He thanked Mr. Domínguez for choosing Nigeria for the visit and expressed optimism that the discussions would further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, presentations were delivered by top government officials and key stakeholders in the sector. The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, highlighted ongoing reforms and initiatives in security, seafarer welfare, and regulatory frameworks aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime nation. The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, showcased the academy’s modern training facilities and underscored the importance of international partnerships in cadet exchange and simulator-based training. The Managing Director of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Mr. Wang Qiang, outlined the port’s role in boosting Nigeria’s cargo handling capacity, creating jobs, and attracting long-term foreign investments.
Mr. Domínguez also interacted with cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, urging them to embrace emerging opportunities in the maritime sector, particularly in renewable energy, green shipping, and maritime technology.
He reaffirmed IMO’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria to strengthen maritime safety, enhance governance structures, and drive the sustainable growth of the blue economy, noting that the country’s achievements already serve as a model of excellence for Africa and beyond. As issued by the office of the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy
Picture: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON (left) presenting a souvenir to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, during the IMO Secretary-General’s visit to Nigeria, on Thursday.

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have reached a strategic agreement to exempt manufacturers from the controversial 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) charge and deepen trade facilitation efforts.
The agreement was announced following a high-level consultation between Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and MAN President, Francis Meshioye FR, held in Abuja. The meeting was convened in response to the Ministry of Finance’s directive to suspend the 4% FOB charge and to engage stakeholders under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The dialogue addressed key concerns raised by manufacturers, including multiple checkpoints, system alerts, and technical glitches on the B’Odogwu platform. MAN also provided insights into operational challenges affecting competitiveness in the sector.
Key Outcomes:
Exemption from 4% FOB charges for manufacturers importing raw materials, machinery, and spares under Chapters 98 and 99 of the Customs Tariff.
Onboarding of additional manufacturers not currently listed under those chapters to benefit from the exemption.
Tripartite consultations between NCS, MAN, and the Ministry of Finance to expedite onboarding and streamline processes.
Credit system for manufacturers who have already paid the 4% FOB charge, allowing future use after onboarding.
Additional exemptions for humanitarian goods, healthcare-related imports, government projects, and commercial airline spare parts.
The NCS also briefed MAN on ongoing trade facilitation initiatives, including the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Advance Ruling, and Time Release Studies. MAN commended the AEO scheme and called for clear admission guidelines to encourage broader participation.
Both organizations agreed to establish formal consultation mechanisms for regular dialogue on customs policy, proactive feedback systems, and periodic reviews to assess progress and identify new collaboration opportunities.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to Nigeria’s economic transformation through industrial growth, job creation, and export promotion,” said CGC Adeniyi.
“Constructive dialogue like this is essential to building a predictable customs environment that supports manufacturing excellence,” added MAN President Meshioye.
The engagement marks a significant step toward aligning customs operations with industrial development goals, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support national revenue targets while enabling sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector.

Picture: Customs boss, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi