The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has lauded the role of Nigerian journalists, particularly the maritime media, in Nigeria’s recent victory at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council elections, urging them to sustain responsible and patriotic reporting to consolidate the global gain.

Nigeria last month secured a coveted Category C seat on the IMO Council, ending a 14-year streak of unsuccessful attempts and marking a significant milestone in the country’s maritime diplomacy.

Speaking while receiving the leadership of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), led by its caretaker chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele, at NIMASA headquarters in Lagos, the agency’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie, said the maritime media played a critical role in projecting Nigeria’s maritime potential and governance reforms to the international community.

Osagie noted that consistent and informed reporting by maritime journalists complemented the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA in showcasing Nigeria’s capacity in maritime administration, which ultimately strengthened the country’s campaign for the IMO Council seat.

He stressed the importance of developmental journalism in nation-building, warning that negative or misleading narratives could damage Nigeria’s image and undermine its international standing.

“The international community is taking note of every report we write about our country and using them to assess us as a nation,” Osagie said. “That is why patriotism and commitment to nation-building must guide how we report issues.”

He, however, expressed concern over what he described as attempts by a few journalists to push “wrong narratives” following the recent arrest of a vessel, MT *Skipper*, by the United States Coast Guard over alleged crude oil theft and other transnational crimes.

Clarifying the issue, Osagie said the vessel neither flew the Nigerian flag nor was its alleged owner, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, registered with NIMASA as a shipping company.

“What identifies a vessel is the flag it flies,” he said. “Since the detained vessel was not flying the Nigerian flag, those who ascribed its ownership to Nigeria did so either out of mischief or ignorance.”

Despite these concerns, the NIMASA spokesman praised MARAN for what he described as consistent responsible journalism and balanced reporting, even in instances where the agency may not have met the expectations of journalists.

“MARAN is a brand we are proud of in the industry,” Osagie said. “Despite our shortcomings, you have not written negative reports about our activities and operations.”

He pledged the agency’s support for the newly constituted MARAN caretaker committee, assuring members of NIMASA’s commitment to maintaining a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the association.

Earlier, Ayodele said the visit was aimed at consolidating the long-standing relationship between MARAN and NIMASA, noting that the association would continue to practise responsible journalism that enhances the agency’s operations and promotes Nigeria’s credibility in the global maritime space.

He called on NIMASA to reciprocate the gesture through actions that would strengthen the professional integrity and welfare of maritime journalists.

Both parties engaged in discussions on deepening collaboration, reaffirming their shared values and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector and international reputation.
Picture: (L-R) Chairman, MARAN Caretaker Committee, Tunde Ayodele, Treasurer, Ruth Umunna and Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations, NIMASA, Mr. Edward Osagie at NIMASA headquarters, Lagos.

 

By Foster Obi

 

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has taken a significant step in its digital reform initiative with the launch of an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and service delivery across the sector.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

According to the statement, the platform was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, alongside the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, at the Ministry’s Fourth Quarter 2025 Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The engagement, which drew regulators, private sector operators, investors, and development partners from across the marine and blue economy value chain, was held under the theme, “Positioning Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy for Investment, Innovation and Expansion: The Pathway.”

Speaking at the event, Oyetola described the launch of the ECMS as a critical pillar of the Ministry’s institutional reform agenda and a practical expression of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“A digitally enabled Ministry is a more responsive Ministry,” the Minister said. “Through the ECMS, we are streamlining workflows, strengthening records management, improving decision-making, and enhancing our capacity to support investors, operators, and partners with speed, clarity, and integrity.”

He said the stakeholder engagement was deliberately designed to deepen transparency, accountability, and shared ownership of reforms, as the Federal Government works to reposition the marine and blue economy as a driver of economic diversification, growth, and global competitiveness.

Highlighting the sector’s potential, Oyetola noted that Nigeria’s long coastline, extensive inland waterways, and strategic location offer vast opportunities in maritime trade, fisheries, aquaculture, logistics, tourism, and allied services, with significant implications for job creation and regional integration.

The Minister outlined key gains recorded by the Ministry over the past year, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture, where local fish production rose from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes. While acknowledging that the figure remains below Nigeria’s annual consumption level of about 3.6 million tonnes, he said the improvement reflected targeted interventions, better coordination, and increased use of technology.

He also disclosed that the Ministry has begun engagements with financial institutions to provide single-digit interest loans for fishermen across the country, a move aimed at boosting productivity, expanding access to affordable finance, and tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

On the international front, Oyetola said Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as its emergence as Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, signalled renewed global confidence in the country’s maritime governance and policy direction.

According to him, the Ministry’s reform efforts have also attracted positive national recognition, including a 96 per cent performance rating by the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, favourable assessments by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, and recent National Bureau of Statistics data ranking water transportation among the five fastest-growing sectors of the economy.

In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Walson-Jack, praised the Ministry for what she described as far-reaching reforms, particularly the successful deployment of the ECMS.

She said the platform would support paperless governance, improve records management, and significantly reduce bureaucratic delays within the Ministry, while aligning it with the broader digital transformation agenda of the Federal Civil Service.

“The ECMS will strengthen institutional memory, enhance accountability, and promote faster, more efficient service delivery,” she said.

Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, describing the reforms as timely and critical to unlocking investment and innovation in the sector.

Picture: The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack arriving for the launch.

 

 

 

By Foster Obi

 

High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on Sunday publicly congratulated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on his 58th birthday. He described him as a leader whose public life continues to reflect courage, conviction, and an unwavering sense of duty.

In the message issued on behalf of the leadership and staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Tompolo said Wike’s journey through public service, marked by legal brilliance, political audacity, and firm decision-making, has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact, not rhetoric.

He noted that from Wike’s formative years in public administration through his tenure as Governor of Rivers State and now as FCT Minister, his performance has remained anchored on results, resilience, and a relentless commitment to public good.

Among other things, he eulogized Wike as “Mr Projects,” his massively felt presence at the FCT while praying for renewed strength, good health, sharper vision, and continued success in all his assignments.

Analysts believe that while the message read like a simple goodwill note between two Niger Delta sons but in Nigeria’s oil-soaked politics, such gestures are not mere words. They are signals carefully calibrated, deeply political, and often loaded with meaning.

Tompolo’s birthday message also praised Wike’s “courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to national development.” Coming from one of the most powerful non-state actors in Nigeria’s oil security architecture, the message was not just personal; it was political communication.

Both men hail from the Niger Delta, a region where oil, grievance, and politics intersect with unusual intensity. Wike, a former Rivers State governor and now one of the most influential ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, is known for his blunt political style and extensive power networks. Tompolo, once the face of armed resistance in the creeks, has reinvented himself as a central player in Nigeria’s oil security ecosystem.

In that context, the birthday salute served as a public acknowledgement of mutual relevance. For Tompolo, it reinforced access, symbolic and practical to the corridors of federal power. For Wike, it underscored his continued acceptability among key Niger Delta stakeholders whose cooperation remains essential to oil production stability.

Tompolo’s influence today rests largely on Tantita, the private security firm contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to provide pipeline surveillance across major oil-producing corridors in the Niger Delta.

Since its engagement, Tantita has been credited by government officials and industry insiders with contributing to improved crude oil output by helping curb large-scale theft, illegal tapping, and vandalism. Nigeria’s production recovery from historic lows has frequently been linked to tighter surveillance and community-based intelligence, an area where Tantita’s local roots give it an edge.

Yet the model is not without controversy. Critics argue that outsourcing critical national infrastructure protection to private firms, especially those linked to former militant leaders, risks entrenching patronage and weakening institutional accountability. Supporters counter that conventional security agencies failed for years, and that pragmatic solutions are required in difficult terrain.

Tompolo’s birthday message to Wike, therefore, sits within this delicate balance: affirming loyalty to the state while reminding Abuja of the value Tantita brings to the table.

Echoes of the Jonathan years

The dynamics are not new. During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, another Niger Delta son, Tompolo enjoyed unprecedented influence. His company, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, was engaged by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to provide maritime security services under a public-private partnership arrangement.

That era represented a high point of state-ex-militant collaboration. Tompolo was seen as a stabilising force, ensuring calm in the creeks and protecting oil and maritime assets. But it was also politically contentious. When President Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015, the Global West arrangement was terminated, amid allegations of impropriety and a broader effort to dismantle Jonathan-era patronage structures.

The lesson was clear: proximity to power matters but only for as long as the power configuration holds.

It is against this historical backdrop that Tompolo’s latest gesture should be read. The birthday message is a reminder that he has learned the cost of political isolation and now prioritises relationship-building across administrations.

Tompolo has never hidden his loyalty to Jonathan. During the turbulent election cycles that followed, he openly aligned with Niger Delta interests, even as militancy simmered and later gave way to the federal government’s amnesty framework.

What has changed is the method, not the objective. Where armed agitation once dominated, today’s strategy is engagement, symbolism,a nd economic relevance. Publicly acknowledging powerful figures like Wike serves to position Tompolo not as a rebel at the gates, but as a stakeholder within the system.

The birthday message, therefore, is part of a broader recalibration, a signal that Tompolo is invested in stability, partnership , and continuity.

Ijaw Welfare and grassroots legitimacy

Beyond contracts and politics lies another layer: community legitimacy. Tompolo remains a revered figure among many Ijaw communities, where he is seen as both protector and benefactor. Through employment opportunities, local surveillance networks, and informal welfare interventions, Tantita has become an economic lifeline in some riverine areas.

By maintaining visibility and relevance at the federal level, Tompolo strengthens his ability to deliver benefits back home, reinforcing a social contract that underpins peace in the creeks.

In this sense, the birthday message also speaks to his base. It reassures supporters that their leader remains connected, heard, and influential in Abuja.

Nigeria’s oil security architecture remains fragile, shaped as much by relationships as by rules. In such an environment, symbolic gestures carry weight. Tompolo’s message to Wike is one such signal, a quiet affirmation of alignment, a hedge against political uncertainty, and a reminder of the enduring role of Niger Delta power brokers.

Whether this translates into expanded influence, contract renewals, or deeper political cooperation remains to be seen.

 

 

 

Picture: Oyebamiji

 

By Foster Obi

 

The emergence of the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has thrown up a contest layered with power, precedent, and political irony.
Oyebamiji is not just another technocrat-turned-politician. He is widely seen as one of President Bola Tinubu’s trusted hands, a perception strengthened by his smooth sail to the APC ticket. Yet, his entry into the Osun governorship race also reopens old political wounds for the ruling party at the centre, especially given the complicated history between Tinubu’s political camp and the incumbent Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke now flying the flag of the Accord Party.
Oyebamiji’s tenure at NIWA provides the clearest window into how he may govern Osun, if elected. Appointed at a time when the inland waterways sector was mired in regulatory overlaps, institutional rivalry and insecurity, his leadership focused on asserting NIWA’s statutory authority, particularly over inland ports and waterways infrastructure.
Under his watch, NIWA pushed aggressively to reclaim and regulate inland waterways from state encroachment, often putting the agency on a collision course with powerful subnational actors. Supporters hail this as courage and fidelity to federal law; critics describe it as combative centralism that sometimes prioritizes authority over consensus.
There were visible gains: increased attention to inland water transport, renewed interest in barge operations, and attempts, however uneven, to improve safety standards and revenue remittance.
Yet, the NIWA years were also marked by controversies, including disputes with coastal states and lingering questions over how much of the promised inland waterway revolution truly reached everyday users.
For Osun voters, the question is simple: does a record forged on rivers and ports translate into leadership on land, on roads, schools, healthcare and jobs?
A Tinubu Man in a the eye of the storm:
Politically, Oyebamiji enters the race with the full weight of the APC’s national machinery and, crucially, the perceived backing of President Tinubu. In Osun, that matters. The state remains one of the symbolic battlegrounds of South-West politics, where Tinubu’s influence has been tested, and bruised in recent years.
That bruising came most notably through the defeat of the immediate past Osun governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, now Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and a cousin of the President. His loss to the current governor, who has since decamped to the Accord Party, remains a painful reminder that federal might does not automatically translate to electoral victory in Osun.
This is the irony Oyebamiji must navigate. He benefits from Tinubu’s support, but he also inherits the burden of Tinubu’s last political loss in the state.
The incumbent governor’s defection to the Accord Party adds another layer of unpredictability. Stripped of a major party platform but armed with incumbency, grassroots structures and a tested voter base, he represents a different kind of challenge.
Incumbency in Osun has historically been a powerful weapon. Control of local networks, visibility through governance, and the ability to frame the election as continuity versus uncertainty could play strongly in his favour, especially if the electorate views the APC as recycling external influence rather than offering a fresh social contract.
Oyebamiji’s challenge will be to avoid being branded merely as “Abuja’s candidate” or “Tinubu’s man,” and instead convince voters that his technocratic background equips him to fix Osun’s peculiar problems.
What the race may bring:
Ultimately, the contest may not hinge on party logos alone, but on narratives:
On the side of APC: competence in the face of a bleeding economy and beleaguered populace, federal alignment, and a promise to plug Osun into national development pipelines.
On the side of the Incumbent: experience, continuity, and resistance to external political dominance.
Oyebamiji’s NIWA record gives him an image of discipline and administrative firmness. Whether that image resonates with market women in Ilesa, farmers in Iwo, and civil servants in Osogbo is another matter entirely.
As Osun heads into another defining election, the state may once again test a familiar proposition of Nigerian politics which is, Can technocracy, backed by federal power, defeat incumbency rooted in local loyalty?
For Bola Oyebamiji, the rivers he once regulated may prove easier to navigate than the political currents now ahead.

By Foster Obi

As Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla took his final salute at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra in Apapa on Thursday, his departure marked the end of a tenure defined by intensified operations against crude oil theft, piracy, and other maritime crimes, threats that have long bled Nigeria’s economy and stained its standing in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at his departure parade, the immediate past Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) credited the Navy’s improved maritime security outcomes to “strengthened operations and the dedication of its personnel,” urging the service to consolidate the gains recorded in recent years. Under his watch, the Navy prioritised practical, intelligence-driven measures aimed at denying criminals freedom of action at sea and along Nigeria’s vast coastline.
That focus, Ogalla said, yielded “greater security in the maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea as a whole,” a claim that aligns with the steady decline in reported piracy incidents and increased interdictions of illegal refining sites and crude-laden vessels within Nigeria’s waters. More than hardware or platforms, he emphasised the commitment of officers and ratings across all ranks as the engine of progress.
Ogalla’s exit comes at a moment when the fight against oil theft has again seized public attention following the interception by United States authorities of a supertanker, MV Skipper, over alleged crude oil theft. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has since denied reports suggesting the vessel was Nigerian-flagged, stressing that it does not sail under Nigeria’s registry.
While that clarification is significant, maritime experts insist it should not breed complacency. Oil theft is a transnational crime, and Nigeria, by virtue of its production volumes and strategic location remains a prime target. The episode underscores the need for sustained vigilance, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated action between the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, and international partners, regardless of a vessel’s flag.
During Ogalla’s tenure, the Navy deepened cooperation with sister agencies and private security partners, tightened patrols in critical corridors, and sustained presence in Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone. These efforts contributed to Nigeria’s improved reputation in the Gulf of Guinea, once labelled the world’s piracy capital.
Yet consolidation, as the outgoing CNS advised, is now the real test. Criminal networks adapt quickly, exploiting legal loopholes, weak inter-agency coordination, and economic pressures in coastal communities. Sustaining the gains will require continued investment in platforms, maritime domain awareness, personnel welfare, and robust prosecution of offenders to break the cycle of arrest-and-release.
As Vice Admiral Ogalla passes the baton, his legacy is one of operational momentum and renewed confidence within the Navy. The charge to his successors is clear: hold the line, deepen reforms, and ensure that Nigeria’s waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea do not relapse into insecurity. The fight against oil theft and maritime crime is far from over, but the foundations laid must not be allowed to erode.

 

…Navy, Tantita in spotlight as Abuja faces tough policy choices

 

By Foster Obi

Nigeria’s battle against crude oil theft entered a new and troubling phase this week after U.S. authorities intercepted and impounded a Nigerian-owned Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) over allegations of transporting stolen crude. The development, one of the most high-profile foreign seizures linked to Nigeria’s illicit oil networks has once again raised concerns about the country’s maritime governance and the reach of organised bunkering syndicates.
The action by the U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies is being read by analysts as a stark international indictment of Nigeria’s long-running struggle to secure its pipelines, terminals, and export corridors. More troubling is what security sources describe as “a maturing criminal ecosystem”: a network capable of moving siphoned crude from Delta creeks to global markets using reflagged vessels, shell companies, and complex trading channels.
Preliminary disclosures suggest that U.S. authorities acted on weeks of intelligence-sharing with international maritime partners, tracking the suspect vessel’s movements and paperwork. What they uncovered, officials say, fits a familiar pattern, clandestine tapping of pipelines, illegal loading via makeshift barges, midstream transfers in remote waters, and eventual aggregation into ocean-going carriers shielded by opaque documentation.
For a country already losing billions annually to oil theft, the symbolism of a foreign power halting a Nigerian-linked tanker is hard to miss. It signals, experts say, “a systems failure” that transcends law enforcement and speaks to deeper structural weaknesses in regulatory oversight, export protocols, and maritime surveillance.

Navy, Tantita and the complex architecture of enforcement:

On the home front, the Nigerian Navy has, in recent years, expanded patrols, interdictions, and joint operations across the Niger Delta’s labyrinth of creeks. Senior naval officers point to dozens of arrests, equipment seizures, and the destruction of illegal refining sites as evidence that the tide is turning.
Still, they admit that the terrain and the sophistication of criminal actors present a formidable challenge. Limited surveillance assets, difficult waterways, and deep community entanglements combine to frustrate even well-planned missions.
Running parallel to the Navy’s efforts is Tantita Security Services Ltd., the private security outfit with deep local roots. Its operations contract with the federal government has produced significant discoveries of illegal taps and loading points. Industry observers credit Tantita with “re-introducing local intelligence” into a fight often dominated by hardware rather than knowledge.
But the partnership is not without friction. Concerns persist about overlapping mandates, accountability gaps, and occasional tensions with established security agencies, a reminder that Nigeria still lacks a unified operational doctrine on how state and private actors should collaborate in high-risk maritime theatres.
The VLCC seizure illustrates the governance loopholes that criminals exploit:
Opaque ship-ownership structures, often registered across multiple jurisdictions.
Weak beneficiary-owner disclosure rules in maritime operations.
Slow inter-agency intelligence coordination, especially between upstream regulators, security agencies, and export terminals.
Limited international legal cooperation delays the prosecution of transnational actors.
Analysts warn that until Nigeria fixes its maritime registry transparency and accelerates legal cooperation with foreign jurisdictions, more vessels will slip through and some will be caught only when they reach faraway ports.
Policy experts outline several urgent interventions:
Full transparency in vessel ownership and chartering, with strict enforcement of beneficial-owner disclosure.
A single maritime intelligence fusion centre bringing together the Navy, NIMASA, NNPCL, Customs, and vetted private security partners for real-time response.
A stronger diplomatic and legal framework to pursue stolen-crude cases abroad swiftly and coherently.
Clear rules for integrating private security operations, ensuring accountability without undermining their community-level intelligence capacity.
A sustainable community-engagement model that tackles the economic incentives driving crude theft at the grassroots.
The U.S. seizure is more than a headline; it is a warning flare. It signals that Nigeria’s crude-theft crisis is no longer a domestic embarrassment but a global security concern. And while recent efforts by the Navy and Tantita have produced notable gains, the scale and sophistication of the networks involved suggest that enforcement alone will not be enough.
If Abuja responds with coordinated reforms, rather than another cycle of ad-hoc measures, the country may yet regain control of a sector that remains the backbone of its economy. Failure, however, would mean continued losses, weakened global credibility, and emboldened criminal syndicates.

Picture: The intercepted Supertanker

 

Picture: Participants in a group photo. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is 6th left, while the Executive Secretary and CEO of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, is 5th from right.

 

 

Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has officially unveiled its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), marking a milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise public‑service delivery and improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria’s maritime sector. The unveiling ceremony took place in Abuja.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, commended the initiative, describing the ECMS as “a tool that will significantly enhance operational efficiency, eliminate administrative delays, and elevate the quality of public service delivery.” He urged other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to emulate NSC’s digital transformation drive.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the launch as “timely and strategic,” noting that technology is now essential for transparency and competitiveness in the maritime sector. “The Shippers’ Council’s digital leap strengthens the foundation for more efficient service delivery,” he said.
He added that the digital transformation remains central to the Ministry’s vision to position Nigeria as a competitive and efficient maritime nation.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, noted that the NSC is the first agency to invite her to an ECMS launch, highlighting the Council’s leadership in driving the Federal Government’s digital agenda.
She described the ECMS as “a digital ecosystem that minimises delays, prevents loss and fosters unity and clarity across departments,” and urged sustained capacity‑building and digital literacy for staff.
She also emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to a fully digital, paperless public service by the end of 2025 while calling for continuous staff training and improved digital skills.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary and CEO of the (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, explained that the ECMS is a core pillar of the Council’s transformation agenda, designed to eradicate manual file movement and long‑standing administrative bottlenecks, in line with the Federal Government’s digital mandate
The NSC boss expressed appreciation to the SGF, Minister, Head of the Civil Service, stakeholders, and the Council for their support and contributions to the project’s success.
He called on staff to fully embrace the new platform to maximise its transformative value.
Stakeholders at the event commended the NSC for pioneering the system and expressed their readiness to support its broader adoption across MDAs.
The launch further reinforces the NSC’s role as an economic regulator committed to innovation, transparency, and improved service delivery in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Picture: The launch is about to Kickstart. The Executive Secretary and CEO of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, is in a blue tie from left, followed by the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson‑Jack.

By Foster Obi

Picture: Dr Abubakar Dantsoho

 

With a string of national honours, global recognitions, and visible reforms across Nigeria’s port system, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, is rapidly emerging as the poster boy of the country’s maritime resurgence. His leadership, marked by aggressive digitalisation, infrastructure upgrades, and a revival of long-neglected Eastern Ports, has repositioned the NPA as Nigeria’s most visibly transformed agency in recent years.

Over the last year, Dantsoho has become the most decorated public-sector CEO in the maritime domain, earning awards from respected national and global bodies. These include the NEAPS Award for Outstanding Public Sector Efficiency, international recognition from the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), a commendation from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for driving port-process reforms, and a regional excellence award from the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).

Both the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha, and the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have also decorated him in public ceremonies, citing his leadership as a model for the administration’s reform agenda.

Industry stakeholders say these awards are not ceremonial but reflect measurable improvements in port performance, transparency, and technological adoption.

A cornerstone of Dantsoho’s tenure is the ongoing Port Modernisation Programme, widely regarded as the biggest coordinated upgrade of Nigeria’s port infrastructure in two decades. The programme has advanced critical rehabilitation of aged quay walls, expansion of berthing capacity, automation of terminal operations, modern security systems, and improved navigational infrastructure. These interventions, officials say, are already contributing to reduced vessel waiting times, improved cargo handling, and renewed investor confidence.

Parallel to the physical upgrades, the NPA under Dantsoho has mounted one of the strongest digitalisation drives in the agency’s history. This includes the rollout of the Port Community System (PCS), designed to integrate all port stakeholders on a single digital interface for real-time processing; collaboration on the National Single Window, which harmonises cargo clearance procedures; and the strengthening of the ETO electronic truck-call-up system, credited with reducing congestion and extortion around Apapa and Tin-Can port corridors. The call-up system is currently being replicated at Onne to ease traffic.

Stakeholders say these digital reforms have not only enhanced port efficiency but also curtailed manual bottlenecks long associated with corruption and delays.

One of Dantsoho’s most widely praised achievements is the revival of the Eastern Ports. For years, ports in Rivers, Onne, Calabar, and Warri suffered declining traffic due to poor infrastructure, insecurity, and shallow channels. Dantsoho’s administration, however, has driven targeted investments in dredging, channel management, security enhancement, and stakeholder engagement.

As a result, Rivers Port is seeing its highest vessel calls in years, Onne has consolidated its position as the nation’s leading oil and gas logistics hub, Calabar is recording gradual activity revival, and Warri is regaining relevance.

Maritime analysts say this shift is easing the historical over-dependence on Lagos ports and unlocking regional economic opportunities, while also repositioning Nigeria’s influence in the global shipping map.

Beyond physical and digital reforms, Dantsoho has also overseen internal restructuring at the NPA, including transparent procurement processes, merit-driven leadership appointments, stronger collaboration with Customs, terminal operators, and shipping companies, and improved relations with the Maritime Workers Union. Staff morale, according to agency insiders, has risen significantly, supported by clearer performance metrics and better welfare initiatives.

Across the industry, the consensus is that the NPA has regained its footing and direction. With multiple national and international recognitions, visible infrastructure renewal, and technological reforms gaining traction, Dantsoho has emerged not only as a standout administrator but also as a symbol of what committed leadership can deliver in the public sector.

For many observers, the awards from NEAPS, IAPH, PEBEC, MOWCA, and the Presidential Villa simply underscore one reality: under Abubakar Dantsoho, Nigeria’s ports are being rebuilt, modernised, and repositioned for global competitiveness.

By Foster Obi

As the year gradually draws to a close, it is good to note that despite Nigeria securing a seat at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C and announcing several reforms in 2025, the country’s maritime sector continues to battle congestion, corruption, and underperformance. Analysts warn that while security and regulatory initiatives show promise, systemic inefficiencies across ports, Customs, shipping companies, and terminal operators are still costing the nation billions of dollars annually.
Nigeria’s maritime industry in 2025 stands at a crossroads. The creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has brought renewed focus, while the Deep Blue maritime security project has improved coastal safety and international confidence. Nigeria’s victory in securing a Category C seat at the IMO Council positions the country as a stakeholder in global maritime governance.
Yet, ports remain congested, customs clearance is slow and costly, and terminal operators continue to impose arbitrary charges. Indigenous shipping companies still struggle to access finance, despite new guidelines for the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF). The absence of a national shipping line continues to undermine trade competitiveness.
How the Ministry/Agencies Stand:

MINISTRY OF MARINE & BLUE ECONOMY
Performance: The Ministry launched national policy engagement, convened international forums.
Non-performance: Slow delivery of actionable plans; poor coordination with agencies.
Recommendations:Publish a 12-month operational plan with KPIs; quarterly progress reports.
2026 Projection: Coordinated PPPs and policy-driven initiatives if reforms are implemented.

NIGERIA PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA)
Performance: Incremental infrastructure works and digitization pilots. A strong reform drive with port modernization, ETO traffic management, the national single window, and new export-processing terminals repositioning Nigerian ports for efficiency, competitiveness, and foreign investment. Efforts to reposition eastern ports are hailed by analysts. National Single Window, a “game-changer” expected to reduce human interference and strengthen cargo clearance efficiency.
Non-performance: Terminal congestion persists; port-community integration is weak.
Recommendations: Fast-track a unified Port Community System (PCS); improve port access corridors.
2026 Projection: Partial PCS rollout could reduce dwell times by 10–20%.

NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
Performance: The Deep Blue project improved maritime security; CVFF operationalisation.
Non-performance: Weak enforcement of Cabotage; slow ship registry growth.
Recommendations: Publish transparent CVFF disbursement schedule; incentivize Nigerian-flagged vessels.
2026 Projection: First indigenous vessels may be financed if CVFF works effectively.

NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE (NCS)

Performance: Revenue targets exceeded; scanners partially deployed.
Non-performance: Systemic extortion, multiple checkpoints, discretionary valuations, and slow clearance remain major bottlenecks.
Recommendations: Moratorium on informal checkpoints; enforce scanner-first, risk-based clearance; create a fast lane for compliant agents.
2026 Projection: Clearance times can improve significantly if reforms are enforced.

NIGERIAN INLAND  WATERWAYS AUTHORITY (NIWA)
Performance: Mapping of waterways; private-sector engagement initiatives.
Non-performance: Uncoordinated dredging; safety enforcement is weak.
Recommendations: National inland waterways masterplan; PPP pilot river terminals.
2026 Projection: Modest modal shift for freight corridors if pilots succeed.

NIGERIA SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL (NSC)
Performance: Advocacy, complaint handling, watchdog role.
Non-performance: Limited enforcement power; slow dispute resolution.
Recommendations: Cap terminal surcharges; online tariff dispute forum.
2026 Projection: Improved transparency; reduced arbitrary charges if empowered.

SHIPPING COMPANIES

Performance: Reliable liner connectivity.
Non-performance: Arbitrary surcharges, weak local content compliance; extortion collusion allegations.
Recommendations: Enforce transparent tariffs; link terminal access to compliance scores.
2026 Projection: Costs may reduce if regulators generate the needed muscle to enforce transparency and compliance.

TERMINAL OPERATORS
Performance: Investment in equipment and partial automation.
Non-performance: High storage charges; manipulation of delivery orders; underinvestment in hinterland capacity. No corporate social responsibility(CSR). Zero-sum game. Winner takes all mentality.
Recommendations: Standardise Terminal Delivery Orders(TDO) processes; tie concession renewal to performance KPIs. Enforce CSR operations or give back to the country of operations.
2026 Projection: Terminals adopting transparency are likely to gain market share.

FREIGHT FORWARDERS/AGENTS

Performance: Facilitation role and advocacy.
Non-performance: Fragmentation; occasional corruption; presence of unlicensed operators.
Recommendations: Strengthen licensing; mandatory professional certification.
2026 Projection: Professionalisation can reduce clearance delays and corruption.

MARITIME WORKERS UNION (MWUN)
Performance: Defends workforce rights; reduced informal labour practices. Smooth leadership transition.
Non-performance: Strikes and resistance to automation.
Recommendations: Sectoral automation roadmap with reskilling fund and incentives.
2026 Projection: Labour–management accords possible if the transition fund is implemented.

ACROSS-BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS:
Launch one-data portal: quarterly national maritime KPIs (dwell time, registry tonnage, CVFF progress).
Fastrack Single Window operations.
Enforce PCS and CVFF transparency.
Use the IMO Category C seat to attract technical support and capacity-building
ng programs.
Aggressively combat illegal checkpoints and extortion in port corridors.

 

 

By Foster Obi

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says the maritime industry is experiencing its strongest reform drive in decades, with port modernization, ETO traffic management, the national single window, and new export-processing terminals repositioning Nigerian ports for efficiency, competitiveness, and foreign investment.

Speaking in Lagos, the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said the authority’s transformation is already visible across operations, infrastructure, and staff welfare, adding that stakeholders should expect “fresh air in 2026.”

Onyemekara dismissed suggestions that the NPA is still “planning” multimodalism, insisting it is already an existing operational framework.

“Every port system we operate works on the platform of multimodalism. The roads are better, waterways and barge operations are active, and consignees have multiple options to move cargo,” he said.

Responding to concerns from barge operators who claim their business is declining, he stated that cargo movement is an open market.

“Our responsibility is to provide infrastructure. Operators need to make their mode of transport attractive. Consignees choose what works best for them,” he added.

The NPA spokesperson described 2025 as one of the most transformative years in the authority’s recent history, crediting the Managing Director, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and President Bola Tinubu for “bold policies unseen in many years.”

He listed port modernization as the biggest milestone. “The shipping world has changed. Bigger vessels with modern technology are coming. To attract them, our ports must be modernized. This government was bold enough to take that step,” he said.

He also highlighted the National Single Window, describing it as a “game-changer” that will reduce human interference and strengthen cargo clearance efficiency.

Looking ahead, Onyemekara predicted stronger performance in exports, tied to new Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) and efficiency reforms initiated by NPA management.

“Export figures are rising daily because of operational efficiency. In 2026, Nigeria will breathe fresh air in the maritime industry,” he assured.

On the NPA Managing Director’s recent international appointment, he said the honour will deepen investor confidence. “It brings greater respect from the international community. Foreign investors want to see signs that they will get returns on investment, and this government has created the right environment,” he said.

On the rising activity in Eastern ports, Onyemekara said better infrastructure and improved security now give consignees confidence to route cargo outside Lagos.

“In the past, people were unsure of infrastructure and security in those regions. Today, government investments have fixed that. Consignees now have the freedom to send cargo anywhere,” he said.

He described the successful rollout of the ETO electronic traffic call-up system as one of NPA’s most impactful innovations.

“Before ETO, businesses collapsed in Apapa and residents moved out. Sanity has returned. We replicated the same in Onne to avoid a repeat of past problems,” he said.

On staff welfare, Onyemekara said the workforce is more motivated than in previous years, citing rapid promotions, training, and better retirement processes. “Promotions that were stagnated for years have been cleared. Our officers are internationally trained, consistently trained, and celebrated anywhere in the world,” he noted.

He praised the synergy with the Nigerian Customs Service and agencies under the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.

“We have a minister who believes in teamwork. Sitting, planning, and working together has removed barriers and strengthened collaboration,” he said.

Despite the progress, he said stakeholder impatience remains a major challenge.

“Some stakeholders want results immediately. We only ask for patience. We operate under authority and must get proper approvals to implement policies,” he concluded.