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SON’s despicable desperation to return to port.

The Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim

On October 26th, 2011, there was a Presidential directive that pruned down the mushroom government agencies at the ports to only eight.

The directive issued by Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the erstwhile Minister of Finance, was consequent upon the multiplicity of agencies whose operations made clearance procedures at the ports painfully slow, cumbersome, and unwieldy.

During this period, there were government agencies in excess of 14 in number whose operations made the  Nigerian ports the most expensive and inefficient on the African Continent.

So, the 2011 presidential order recognised the following government agencies to domicile at the ports.  The Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), Nigeria Police, Department of State Security((DSS), Port Health, Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) and Nigerian Immigration Service.

While others not mentioned on the list were consigned outside the ports, those whose services are still required among them in the course of port processes such as the Standards Organization of Nigeria(SON) and National Food and Drugs Administration Control(NAFDAC) are to be called in whenever the need arises.

However, this Presidential directive was obeyed in the breach as those evicted agencies stayed put at the ports.

In February 2018, as a result of its desire to ease the cumbersome nature of doing business at the ports, the Federal government, through its committee charged with sanitising the operations at the ports, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, gave the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) the matching order to enforce the 2011 Presidential Directives.

So all the outlawed government agencies were effectively weeded out of the ports.

But because of the allure of the filthy lucre at the ports, the evicted agencies launched aggressive lobbying, using instruments of blackmail, half-truths and outright lies to get the sympathy of the government in their bid to return to the ports.

Both the NAFDAC and Immigration used these tools of blackmail and lobbying to get themselves smuggled black into the port.

A few months after this directive, the NAFDAC lobbied the presidency and succeeded in its plan when the Federal government recalled the agency to be part of resident operatives at the ports.
The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), one of the evicted agencies, is currently taking this same inglorious route to come back to the port where their operatives have regarded it as a honeycomb.

This development has therefore emboldened the SON to step up its own campaign to return to the port.The agency, in recent times, has tried all the tricks in the book to gain the sympathy of stakeholders and the government to regain its entry into the ports.

It is on this plank we are advising the Federal Government not to once again succumb to the antics and yield to the pressure of SON and its paid agents.
It is unfortunate that the government allowed itself to be hoodwinked by NAFDAC and Immigration.Falling for the same gimmicks by the SON would be most grievous that will give other evicted agencies justification to also want to come back to the ports.

As it were, those numbers of agencies permitted to be at the ports are still unwieldy as the processes at the ports have not significantly improved to the point all stakeholders would have wanted them to be.

Allowing SON to join the fray will further compound the problems.
We are yet to see any reason why SON is making subterranean moves to come back to the ports.The excuses being bandied about by its paid agents are as ludicrous as they are ridiculous.

The agency claimed that their absence at the ports has allowed fake and sub-standard products to gain access to the ports and same cleared into the market.

This argument flies away in the face of the component of the presidential directive that any of the agencies not resident at the ports should be called whenever their expertise is needed in the course of goods clearance procedures.
We, therefore, have no reason not to believe that the Nigeria Customs Service, which is the lead agency at the ports and goods clearance procedures, does not heed this aspect of the directive.We also strongly believe that SONCAP, a pre-shipment verification exercise adopted by the agency should have detected and taken care of such sub-standard products at the point of shipment.

SONCAP is a pre-shipment verification of conformity to standards process used to verify that products to be imported into Nigeria are in conformity with the applicable NIS or approved equivalents, and technical regulations before shipment.

Under the SONCAP regime, imports are required to undergo verification and testing at the country of supply (Exporting) and a SONCAP Certificate (SC) issued demonstrating that the products meet the applicable standards and regulations or a Non-Conformity Report (NCR) where the goods do not comply.

The conformity assessment elements undertaken in SONCAP include but are not limited to physical inspection prior to shipment, sampling, testing and analysis in accredited laboratories, audit of production processes and systems, and documentary check of conformity with regulations and overall assessment of conformity to standards.

Having gone to this extent to profile all imports at the points of supply to make sure that fake and sub-standard products are not even shipped into the country, this extensive procedure has nullified any need for SON to come back to the ports.

We can safely conclude that their passion to come back despite the stringent conditions of SONCAP is simply to engage in other uncharitable activities such as extortion.

We also want to believe that the deluge of the  Nigerian markets with fake and sub-standard products is a screaming testimony that the SONCAP regime of the SON has failed.

It, unfortunately, gives credence to the widespread belief that the SONCAP Certificates are not necessarily issued to importers on merit but given to the highest bidders.

We advise SON to shelve its ambition of coming back to the ports but instead concentrate on performing its statutory duties at the ports on demand.

The agency should also insist on strict enforcement of the SONCAP regime to stem the high tide of the influx of harmful products into the country.

Government should make it mandatory for customs to call operatives of SON whenever regulated products are being examined and also to ensure that they have the exclusive right to determine the genuineness of any SONCAP Certificates submitted by importers.

This is imperative because it is not within the competence of customs officers to detect fake or genuine SONCAP Certificates.

On Thursday, April 14th, 2022, SON however took its desperation to a dizzying level when it gathered stakeholders in Apapa, Lagos to renew its incessant calls to return to the port.
The gathering, which was ostensibly meant to sensitise stakeholders on the evil of fake and substandard products, was used by SON to demonise the Customs which it accused of blocking the agency from receiving alerts on fake and substandard products and gain the sympathy of gullible stakeholders who began to campaign for the return of SON to the ports.

The  Director-General of  SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, had at the forum, accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) single-window portal of blocking SON from registering alerts on suspicious imported items.

Salim had claimed that the inability of SON  to trigger alerts through the  Nigeria Customs Integrated System (NICIS II) portal to stop a suspected cargo has exacerbated the influx of fake and substandard products into the Nigerian market.

Dr. Salim declared that the only solution to the problem is for the agency to return back to to the Port.

Curiously, all the stakeholders in the forum, including the two leading freight forwarding associations, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), all chorused the banal reasons why SON should return to the port.

We are aware that NAGAFF has been the campaigner- in Chief of SON’s desperate bid to stage a comeback.

But in recent times, the agency has recruited more stakeholders into its large army of lobbyists.

The latest is the ANLCA which has joined in the fray to railroad SON back to the port.

Curiously, these same associations have accused SON in the past of its unwholesome practice of illegal taking product samples for examination.

 “Other agencies and parastatals of government in the ports like Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) among others, operate outside their mandates as stipulated in the various acts establishing them. In fact, it has been a whole lot of confusion in the ports and their environment.

“This ensuing confusion over the years has been capitalised on, to rip off port users, consequently, this makes Nigerian ports most expensive and unfriendly in sub-Saharan Africa,” NAGAFF once said of the activities of SON

The Coordinator of its 100 percent Compliance team, Ibrahim Tanko, in 2021 has accused the same SON of indiscriminately taking product samples for examination.
If the agency that hasn’t been permitted into the port could be behaving in this manner, what happens if it is eventually readmitted into the Port.
We are also curious about the sudden love of SON by NAGAFF which has vilified the reckless nature of the SON’s officers at the port.
We are equally miffed at ease with which the ANLCA bit the bait of SON’s inordinate campaign.
We believe that SON’s clamour to return to the port is self-serving and uncharitable.
The return of the agency will further complicate the cargo clearance procedure and encumber the cargo examination process which the government is assiduously trying to unbundle and simplify through the use of scanners.
 
Concerned stakeholders, who are not among the paid agents of SON, have queried the continuous and almost unending clamour of SON to come back to the port.
 
Eugene Nweke, the former National President of NAGAFF, has described the clamour of SON to come back to the port as unnecessary, distractive, uncharitable and unnecessary.
He said the agency should rather channel its energy and focus on how to discharge its core mandate.
We advise the management of SON to deploy into good use the scarce resources it was wasting on lobbying  and campaigning for its inordinate ambition of coming back to the port

Rather than allow SON to come back through the back door to further muddle up the already complicated processes at the ports, it won’t be out of place if the government finds a way of removing any resident agency whose functions could be carried out from outside the port.

It is through this that Nigerian ports will become more efficient, cost-effective, competitive and gain ascendancy on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index.

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Commentaries

Turning the Tide: How Nigerian ports earned global recognition

Monday Discourse with  Ibrahim Nasiru
For decades, the narrative surrounding Nigerian maritime gateways was dominated by stories of bureaucratic gridlock, crippling congestion, and costly logistics delays.
However, a major structural shift is underway.
The World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence recently released the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), delivering an international endorsement of Nigeria’s maritime modernization.
For the first time in history, Nigeria’s primary seaports—Tin Can Island Port Complex and Apapa Port Complex—have been ranked among the Top 20 Most Improved Ports globally.
According to the index, Tin Can Island Port ranked 10th globally in performance gains, improving its CPPI score by an impressive 42 points.
 Closely following, Apapa Port secured the 12th spot worldwide with a 35-point increase.
This data-driven bench mark tracks actual vessel call data, evaluating real-world metrics like ship turnaround times, berth productivity, and operational coordination.
By out performing established global hubs like France’s Marseille Port, Nigeria has signaled to international shipping lines that its gateways are shedding their legacy of inefficiency.
This global recognition is not an accident; it is the direct out come of a deliberate, continuous improvement paradigm championed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
The NPA has aggressively focused on automation and digitization to remove human bottlenecks through the streamlined deployment of the electronic call-up system and single-window digital tracking.
Furthermore, slashing bureaucracy has reduced long delays that previously forced shipping lines to divert to neighboring West African Ports, while equipment modernization has upgraded critical terminal infrastructure under the strategic guidance of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The real world dividend of these operational upgrades is clearly visible in Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators.
Faster vessel turnaround times directly drive down freight costs and logistics expenses, allowing trade velocity to skyrocket.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirms that these maritime efficiencies strongly supported Nigeria’s remarkable ₦7.54 trillion trade surplus in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
By providing a highly responsive and predictable platform for both imports and export-bound agricultural and solid mineral commodities, the NPA has integrated seamlessly into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic revitalization agenda.
While this World Bank ranking marks a historic milestone, the leadership at the NPA recognizes that this is a baseline, not a finish line.
As Dr. Dantsoho noted, the next institutional mountain to climb is sustaining this momentum.
The ultimate objective is to transition Nigeria’s Ports from being merely the “most improved” to standing firmly among the most competitive and highly efficient logistics hubs on the planet.
For global investors, international shipping consortia, and local businesses, the message from the 2025 CPPI report is unmistakable: Nigeria’s maritime sector is open for business, modernized, and built for growth.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja
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Why Nigeria must prioritize competency development and standards to harness gains of  blue economy

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
Nigeria is endowed with vast maritime resources which offer enormous opportunities for economic growth, employment generation, food security, and environmental sustainability.
With its fabled over 850 kilometers of coastline, extensive inland waterways, and strategic access to the Gulf of Guinea, the country is naturally blessed to emerge as a hub for maritime activities in Africa.
However , taking advantage of these huge massive maritime opportunities should be the priority of Nigerian government which must be intentional on developing competency level of its Maritime professionals and raise their
adherence to international standards.
The blue economy encompasses diverse sectors including shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, offshore energy, maritime logistics, shipbuilding, and marine environmental management.
 These sectors are highly knowledge-driven and require a workforce equipped with specialized skills and globally recognized certifications.
Without competent professionals, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities to countries with better-trained maritime personnel and stronger institutional frameworks.
Competency development is essential for enhancing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency across the maritime sector.
Skilled seafarers, marine engineers, port operators, logistics professionals, and environmental experts are critical to ensuring that maritime activities meet international best practices.
 As global shipping and offshore industries become increasingly technology-driven, continuous training and capacity building are necessary to keep Nigerian professionals competitive in the international labour market.
Skilled maritime professionals such as seafarers, marine engineers and allied personnel in the sector could be sources of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria as they could be exported to the international community.
Philippines and India are the world’s top exporters of skilled maritime personnel such as seafarers where they get the chunk of their foreign exchange.
If Nigeria could develop such capacity in skilled labourers in the sector and export their expertise, the country could harvest bountifully from such venture.
Equally important is the adoption and enforcement of internationally recognized standards.
Standards provide the framework for quality assurance, safety management, environmental protection, and operational excellence.
Compliance with global maritime standards established by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization(IMO) and the Nautical Institute enhances Nigeria’s credibility as a maritime nation and attracts foreign investment.
Investors and international partners are more likely to engage with institutions and businesses that demonstrate compliance with recognized benchmarks.
That is why the recent certification of the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited by the  UK Nautical Institute is germaine to Nigeria’s quest to develop training capacity and build compliance with standard procedures
This feat also underscores the importance of world-class training institutions in building local capacity.
That is why the  government should give necessary assistance to training institutions in Nigeria such as Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN),  Oron and the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited.
Such government patronage and assistance will not only improve the quality of maritime training in Nigeria but also position the country as a regional centre  for maritime education and professional development.
Prioritizing competency development and standards will also contribute significantly to maritime safety and environmental sustainability.
Well-trained personnel are better equipped to prevent accidents, manage maritime risks, and respond effectively to emergencies.
 Furthermore, adherence to environmental standards helps reduce marine pollution, protect biodiversity, and ensure the sustainable utilization of ocean resources, which are fundamental pillars of the blue economy.
From an economic perspective, a competent workforce and strong standards framework can increase Nigeria’s participation in global maritime trade, create high-value jobs, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and improve the country’s competitiveness.
 It also supports local content development by enabling Nigerian professionals and companies to meet the requirements of international contracts and projects.
In conclusion, competency development and standards are not optional components of Nigeria’s blue economy strategy; they are foundational requirements for its success.
 By investing in human capital, strengthening training institutions, and enforcing internationally accepted standards, Nigeria can fully harness the immense potential of its maritime resources and transform the blue economy into a major driver of national development, economic diversification, and sustainable growth.
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Dapo Okubadejo –  Visionary leader poised for greater responsibilities in Ogun State

Olufemi Orioye

As the political landscape of Ogun State continues to evolve with an eye on the 2027 general elections, one name that is increasingly being highlighted as a strong contender for the Deputy Governorship seat is Honorable Dapo Okubadejo, the Economic Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the state’s Commissioner for Finance.

Okubadejo has, over the past few years, proven his exceptional leadership, financial expertise, and unwavering commitment to the development of Ogun State.

His strategic vision and remarkable track record make him not just a key player in Ogun’s economic progress but also a potential catalyst for even greater growth under the leadership of Senator Solomon Adeola as the incoming governor of the Gateway state

A Financial Maestro with Proven Expertise

Honourable. Dapo Okubadejo’s journey into public service began with an impressive academic background and a career that spans several years in both the public and private sectors.

As the Economic Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State, Okubadejo has demonstrated remarkable financial stewardship, steering the state’s economic activities with a blend of innovation, accountability, and transparency.

His ability to manage the state’s finances during times of economic uncertainty, alongside his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, has earned him the admiration of his colleagues and the public alike.

Role in Ogun State Government

Since joining the Ogun State government in 2019, Okubadejo has been a key figure in shaping the state’s economic policies.

-He leads the state’s economic management team

-Oversees budgeting, revenue generation, and fiscal planning

-Helps design and implement economic reforms and development strategies

-His work has focused on improving internally generated revenue, attracting investment, and strengthening financial governance in the state.

One of his notable achievements has been his role in stabilizing the state’s revenue generation systems.

Under his leadership, Ogun State has witnessed a remarkable improvement in internally generated revenue (IGR), reducing reliance on federal allocations.

Okubadejo through his intellectual prowess with his financial expertise has increased the state internal generated revenue from the paltry sum of twenty million naira annually before the current administration to almost three hundred million naira annually while the state’s annual budget of its former four hundred and fifty million naira has also increased to over one trillion naira within seven years in office

This feat has not only enhanced the state’s financial autonomy but has also allowed for greater flexibility in executing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents.

His work on creating a more efficient budget system has allowed Ogun State to channel resources towards key infrastructural projects, education, and health initiatives, creating a ripple effect that benefits the state’s entire economy.

With the forthcoming 2027 elections in sight, Okubadejo’s financial acumen is seen as a valuable asset in managing the economic demands of the state, making him a strong candidate for the deputy governorship role

Who is Dapo Okubadejo?

Dapo Okubadejo is a Nigerian financial expert, investment adviser, and politician who plays a central role in the economic management of Ogun State.

He currently serves as the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, positions he has held since 2019.

Background and Education

Okubadejo was born in Ogun State, Nigeria, and hails from Ijebu Ode.

He studied Agriculture at Obafemi Awolowo University and later earned a master’s degree in International Finance from the University of Glasgow.

Professional Career

Before joining government, he built a distinguished career in global finance:

He started at Arthur Andersen in 1992, rising to senior management

He became an Equity Partner at KPMG by serving as Head of Deal Advisory and Private Equity for West Africa and later Africa

Okubadejo worked extensively on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and investment advisory across multiple sectors

He is widely regarded as an expert in international finance, project finance, and investment strategy, advising both governments and private investors

Reputation Within policy and business circle

Okubadejo is known for his technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong background in global finance.

His influence in Ogun’s economic planning has made him one of the most prominent technocrats in the state’s administration.

In simple terms, Dapo Okubadejo is a top financial strategist in government, combining private-sector experience with public service to manage and guide Ogun State’s economy.

A Vision for Ogun’s Future

Okubadejo’s approach to governance has always been rooted in the vision of a prosperous and self-reliant Ogun State.

His involvement in strategic economic planning has positioned the state to be one of the top economic hubs in Nigeria.

His work on the Ogun State Development Plan, a comprehensive blueprint designed to take the state into the next decade of growth, is a testament to his long-term vision.

In recent years, Okubadejo has worked closely with Governor Dapo Abiodun to champion initiatives that will diversify the state’s economy beyond its traditional agricultural base.

He has been a vocal advocate for the growth of the state’s industrial and technological sectors, recognizing that sustainable growth will depend on the development of these critical industries. Under his guidance,

Ogun has attracted both local and international investors, with the state’s manufacturing and technology parks seeing significant expansions.

His forward-thinking policies also emphasize the empowerment of local entrepreneurs and the creation of an environment conducive to innovation.

These initiatives not only stimulate job creation but also lay the foundation for a more resilient economy in the face of global challenges.

Strong Leadership with Community Focus

What sets Okubadejo apart from other political figures is his focus on the people.

He has consistently emphasized the need for governance that listens to the aspirations of the citizens and aligns policies with their needs.

In his various roles, Okubadejo has worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of the average Ogun resident, prioritizing education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

His leadership style is centred on collaboration and inclusivity.

Whether it’s working with other government officials, the private sector, or the general public, Okubadejo believes in building consensus and fostering unity.

His focus on transparency has earned him the trust of both the government and the people, a crucial quality for anyone seeking to hold a high office.

As the Economic Adviser to Governor Abiodun, Okubadejo has acted as a bridge between the state and its international partners, bringing in crucial investments and resources that have accelerated Ogun’s development

His ability to navigate the complexities of global economics while staying grounded in local needs has set him apart as a visionary leader with the kind of global perspective necessary for Ogun to thrive in the coming years.

A Partnership with Senator Solomon Adeola

With the selection of Senator Solomon Adeola as the Ogun State APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 elections, the stage is set for a formidable partnership between two leaders who are committed to the state’s prosperity.

Adeola’s wealth of experience in the Senate, coupled with Okubadejo’s financial expertise, presents a strong combination capable of driving Ogun’s next wave of development.

Okubadejo’s deep understanding of state finances, paired with Adeola’s experience in federal legislative matters, makes them a powerful duo in the pursuit of greater infrastructure, job creation, and economic development in Ogun

The synergy between the two would create a dynamic team ready to confront the challenges of governance with confidence and competence.

A Bright Future for Ogun State

As the 2027 elections draw near, Ogun State’s political landscape looks set for transformative changes.

Honourable Dapo Okubadejo’s potential as the next Deputy Governor is undeniable.

His solid record in public service, combined with his clear vision for the future, makes him a fitting choice for a leadership role that demands both experience and foresight.

With Okubadejo at his side, Senator Solomon Adeola would undoubtedly have a reliable partner to help push Ogun State to even greater heights.

Their combined efforts promise a prosperous, self-reliant Ogun State that will be a model for other regions to follow.

In conclusion, as Ogun State prepares for the 2027 elections, one thing is certain: Dapo Okubadejo stands out as an exceptional leader ready to take on greater responsibilities and continue his journey of service to the people of Ogun State.

His appointment as Deputy Governor would not only be a reward for his dedicated service but also a step toward securing a brighter future for all Ogun residents.

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