Headlines
Nigerians lose over N200 billion to Ponzi scheme
—-as EFCC says Diezani’s diamond bra was social media creation Eyewitness reporter The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, has revealed that innocent but gullible Nigerians have lost over N200 billion to investment and employment scams in the country. In a television interview monitored by our reporter in Lagos, Mr Bawa, who also used the platform to dismiss the rumoured diamond bra seized from the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, as “social media creation”, stated that the Ponzi scheme scam has become a huge problem that the commission was grappling with for which the anti-graft agency is being inundated with complaints by the victims. “This issue of investment scam is something that has been observed and we are working on that. In fact, as of the last briefing when we aggregated all the complaints involving investment scam and employment scam, Nigerians have complained to us to have lost over N200 billion in complaints. It’s a huge problem”, the anti-corruption czar declared. “Ponzi schemes are going on left, right and centre and Nigerians have to be wary about anybody that is promising you some money- doubling interest. How can you invest N500,000 and somebody is promising you N50,000 every month and at the end of that, you collect your N500,000 back”, Bawa observed. He also used the opportunity to make clarification on the seized properties from Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, said to contain expensive diamond bra listed among to be auctioned by the Federal government. According to Bawa, there was no diamond bra as the fictitious claim was the creation of the social media, saying he ought to know if there was anything of such as the lead investigator who investigated the former minister. ”The government has not sold a single property recovered. We are working towards that. You have accused us several times of media trials but I think it is good to be fair to everybody at all times.“This case is a two-way thing, there was nothing like diamond bra; it is just a creation of social media. I can tell you that for free because I am the lead investigator. I am not aware of it. “If there is something like that, I should know because I led the search and all of that. It is one of the things I mentioned to you that is one of the biggest problems we have is our attitude, we need to change for the better,” Bawa said.
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Headlines
Beyond Lagos: The untold realities of Nigeria’s Eastern corridor seaports
Features
Beyond Lagos ports: Why NPA should position Eastern ports for global recognition
Monday Discourse with Ibrahim Nasiru focuses on why government should look beyond Lagos ports and position Eastern ports for global recognition.
Our feature last week on the World Bank Top 20 ranking for Tin Can and Apapa Ports sparked an intense industry debate.
The biggest question raised: What about the rest of Nigeria’s coastlines?
Dropping tomorrow morning, June 29th, 2026,we go beyond the Lagos headlines to break down the hidden operational realities of Nigeria’s Eastern Ports.
Don’t miss “Beyond Lagos: The Untold Realities of Nigeria’s Eastern Corridor Seaports”
Headlines
NIMASA unveils digital portal to fast track Seafarers’ discharge book processing
Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has intensified its digital transformation drive with the launch of an electronic Seafarer Discharge Book Management Portal, a platform designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays and automate the application, verification and issuance of Seafarers’ Discharge Books.
The portal was unveiled on Thursday, June 25th, 2026 in Lagos as part of activities commemorating the 2026 Day of the Seafarer, themed “Carrying the World Trade, Carrying the Risk.”
The initiative is expected to improve service delivery, strengthen the integrity of seafarers’ documentation and boost the international competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers through a fully digital certification process.
Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the platform as a major milestone in the Agency’s digital transformation agenda.
“As we celebrate the men and women who keep global trade moving, it is imperative that we also provide them with efficient and secure systems that support their professional development.
“The Seafarer Discharge Book Management Portal eliminates unnecessary bottlenecks, strengthens the integrity of our certification process and reinforces NIMASA’s commitment to the welfare and global competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers,” Mobereola said.
He explained that the portal provides a seamless end-to-end digital process beginning with the verification of applicants’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) through integration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
After successful authentication, applicants create accounts, verify their email addresses through a One-Time Password (OTP), complete live facial capture for identity confirmation and upload mandatory documents, including their Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates and other required credentials.
According to the Director-General, every application is digitally reviewed by the Agency’s Shipping Master, who either approves compliant submissions or returns rejected applications with clear reasons for correction, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Upon approval of all required documents, applicants can apply for a new, replacement or temporary Seafarer’s Discharge Book, make payment through the integrated online platform and receive an automatically generated unique Seafarer Discharge Book serial number after successful processing.
Mobereola said the fully automated system would significantly reduce processing time, minimise manual intervention and enhance the security, traceability and authenticity of seafarers’ documentation.
“Technology remains central to our vision of building a modern maritime administration that meets international standards.
“This platform is another demonstration of our resolve to deploy innovative solutions that improve regulatory efficiency while delivering better services to Nigerian seafarers and the maritime industry,” he added.
The launch of the portal reinforces NIMASA’s commitment to maritime safety standardisation, digital governance and efficient regulatory service delivery in line with global best practices.
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