Headlines
International shipping cartel removes Nigeria from paying war insurance premium
He said this has led to the cancellation of the stigma placed on Nigeria as the most dangerous water in the world and the country was removed from the piracy list for the first time in March 2022.H
However, the international shipping cartel refused to remove the country from paying war insurance premiums despite this feat.
This, therefore, led NIMASA to embark on a campaign against the continued imposition of this surcharge which Jamoh described as no longer justifiable in the face of the successes recorded in the fight against piracy.
However, the NIMASA campaign may have eventually paid off as the country has finally exited from this inglorious era of payment of war insurance premiums.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo said that Nigeria’s exit from the surcharge was owing to improved naval operations in Nigeria’s maritime domain and enhanced security architecture in the country’s sea lanes.
Making this disclosure in Abuja Thursday, the Naval chief said Nigeria was removed from the list of countries paying War Insurance Premium on ships whose destination is Nigeria by Llyods of London, United Kingdom.
The war insurance premium meant that cargo ships and other vessels plying the Nigerian route or whose destination was Nigeria paid a significantly higher premium on insurance due to heightened security fears and attacks including piracy which were a frequent occurrence in the past before the Nigerian Navy overcame the criminal activities of pirates in the country’s sea lanes and maritime domain.
Admiral Gambo noted that “with the removal of the tag, insurance premium to be paid by ships doing business with, or plying Nigerian sea lanes will become normal insurance paid by other countries which are less expensive and will enhance shipping/cargo trade”
Similarly, the Nigerian Navy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through the Navy Holdings Limited (NHL) and Akewa Global Services for the Upgrade and reactivation of the Burutu Dockyard and building of a Naval Logistics Base to be located at Burutu, in Delta State.The MoU on the Burutu Dockyard reactivation/development which is a Nigerian project, aimed at decongesting land transport challenges while reviving inland waterways transport that was abandoned at the jetty since the 1960s.
On the MoU, the CNS said, “It is with great delight that I welcome everyone to this unique collaborative initiative, which is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Navy Holdings Limited and Akewa Global Services Limited.
“This partnership with the Nigerian Navy is to revive the dock facilities, by upgrading and modernizing the facilities to support maritime commerce, especially in preparation for the take-off of the regional Sealink Inland Water Cargo Transportation.
“This will greatly assist in the movement of bulk cargoes from Nigeria’s hinterland thereby boosting our country’s non-oil export, especially solid minerals and agricultural exports.
Gambo said the desire to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain for socio-economic activities to thrive, prompted the Nigerian Navy to collaborate with Akewa Global Services Limited adding that signing of the MoU is the beginning of good things and better relationships between both organisations and by extension, the good people of Burutu Community.
“It is my hope that this collaboration would continue to blossom and yield expected dividends that could rid the nation’s maritime environment of activities of criminal elements and economic saboteurs while attracting desired development to both parties and the nation at large”, he said, adding “Undoubtedly, this collaboration will further position the Nigerian Navy to support government’s development of sustainable Blue Economy”.
Explaining the legal basis for the MoU, Admiral Gambo said, “Pertinently, the Presidential Executive Order 5 of 2nd February 2018, allows Ministries, Departments and Agencies to partner or engage reputable indigenous professional companies in Joint Venture relationships in realization of corporate objectives.
“Accordingly, this partnership with Akewa Global Services Limited stands to yield great benefits in Local Content Development in the areas of shipbuilding technology as well as other aspects of science and engineering”.
“Therefore, while the Nigerian Navy benefits in enhancing the turnaround maintenance of her vessels, the good people of the Burutu Community would also derive maximum benefits from employment opportunities and corporate social responsibilities that would arise from this collaboration. This partnership will also lead to the establishment of a standard Base to facilitate all-around security of the facility, the community and the entire region.
Articulating other objectives of the MoU, the CNS said, , ‘My vision for the Nigerian Navy is to leverage all factors of national location, technology, training teamwork and synergy to re-energize the Service and enhance her as a well-motivated and ready naval force in the discharge of her constitutional mandate in fulfillment of national security objectives.
“To achieve this, one of the policy thrusts of my administration is geared towards renewal and re-invigoration of the Nigerian Navy Fleet. The strategic objective of this Fleet Renewal Project is to develop and sustain the right mix of ships and assets capable of sustaining the presence of the Nigerian Navy across the span of the nation’s maritime domain.
“Undoubtedly, attaining this objective requires standard shipbuilding capability, repairs and maintenance facilities to enhance operational availability of Nigerian Navy platforms towards curtailing maritime crimes that undermine the economic prosperity of our great nation.
“Although the Nigerian Navy operates 2 shipbuilding and repair facilities, namely the Naval Shipyard Port Harcourt and Naval Dockyard in Lagos, it is believed that these collaborative efforts to develop the Burutu Port and utilize existing shipyard facility, would act as a force multiplier to the Nigerian Navy in ship maintenance and repairs, particularly in the Central Naval Command area of responsibility”.
‘This would further enhance securing the maritime domain as well as protection of critical maritime assets therein. Certainly, the dockyard would be leveraged towards building needed platforms including barges and small craft”, he added.
The CNS thereafter appreciated
President Muhammadu Buhari for empowering the Nigerian Navy towards the actualization of its constitutional mandate, and both ministers of Defence and Transport for their support and guidance toward ensuring safety and security within the maritime domain.
Chief Kenneth Donye, Chairman of Akema Global Services in his remarks recalled that Burutu Dockyard built by the colonial masters during their early trade mission to the Niger Delta Coast in the early 20th century played a very crucial role in the then lucrative inland waterway transportation that existed upto the late sixties, when inland waterway transportation drastically declined in Nigeria as well as the Burutu dock business.
“The partnership with the Navy is to revive this dock, by upgrading and modernizing the facilities to handle modern maritime challenges, especially in the preparation of the take-off of the Regional Sealink Inland Water Cargo Transportation, which will greatly help in the movement of bulk cargo from Nigeria’s hinterland resulting in a boost of our country’s non-oil export, especially for solid mineral and agricultural exports.
He commended the Chief of Naval Staff for approving the partnership, which Includes the establishment of both Naval and Commercial Logistic bases, saying Burutu, will help boost security in the area, as well as increase the shipping and other maritime activities for both the oil and non-oil industries.
“This will also Improve the lives of several communities within the Niger Delta Region, Eastern Region, and the Northern Region, from where most of these bulk cargoes will be transported through the naturally gifted Rivers Niger and Benue Inland Water Channels,” he said.
“What gladdens me most in this partnership, is the Naval security architecture that will be put to bear in these areas of operation. This will help de-stigmatize Burutu and environ as a security-prone area and help attract both local and foreign investors to unlock the investment potentials of this area, which will ultimately translate to wealth creation for both the people and the nation at large.
“This partnership is expected to help revive commercial activity along the rivers Niger and Benue axis, by producing specialized barges, best suited for our river transportation for bulk cargo, against the current trend, where all goods are conveyed majorly through our dilapidated roads and inadequate rail systems.
“It will also help put activity on the several moribund inland and dry ports located in the Northern and Eastern parts of the Country, thus increasing economic activities in these areas. The partnership will help boost the commercial shipping activity of Burutu seaport and other Delta cluster ports.
“While the Navy will be having a 10 Hectares Naval Logistic base, donated by the host community, for their internal use, there will be an additional 50 Hectares Commercial Logistic base to be jointly owned by this partnership which includes the host community, that will help boost commercial businesses and safety within this area of operation.
This icing of this relationship is that the Nigerian Navy is being transformed from not just a maritime security outfit, but to an economic enhancer that provides facilities that help boost commercial activities within their maritime operational zone.”
He commended the efforts of both the Nexim Bank and Sealink towards operationalization of the relationship noting that, “The business advocacy of the Sealink Consortium generated the need for construction of specialized river crafts and barges that will convey hitherto locked bulk cargoes in the hinterland for export.
Also speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of NEXIM, Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Alhajii Abba Bello disclosed that the bank got involved in maritime activities in a bid to expand the Maritime logistics infrastructure to drive trade and commerce hence its support for the surveying and charting of the nation’s rivers, as well as boost maritime security.
Reiterating that the project required huge capital investments to see its actualization, Alhaji Bello disclosed that NEXIM bank has signed an MoU with AFRI-EXIM bank for a $400million loan facility for the purpose of providing Port Infrastructural Development and other needed infrastructure for the waterways.
The Group Chief Executive of Naval Holdings Limited, Rear Admiral Sirilander Lassa, signed the MoU on behalf Nigerian Navy while Chief Kenneth Donye signed on behalf of Akewa Global Services.
Headlines
MARAN trains 20 members at shipping institute, pledges sustained capacity building
Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter
The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has trained 20 of its members at the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN) in a renewed effort to deepen maritime journalists’ technical knowledge, strengthen professional competence and improve the quality of reporting on Nigeria’s shipping industry and emerging blue economy.
The Graduate Induction Training Programme, which ended on Saturday, October 10, 2026, exposed participants to the technical, regulatory, operational and environmental dimensions of the maritime industry.
Participants are expected to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Shipping upon successful completion of the programme.
The training covered critical areas, including maritime safety and security, integrated marine environment management, shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, as well as the marine and blue economy.
The initiative underscores MARAN’s determination to bridge the knowledge gap between maritime journalism and the technical realities of the shipping industry, equipping its members with the expertise required to report more accurately and analytically on developments across the sector.
Delivering the first lecture, a CISN lecturer, Mr Patrick Ambakederimo, examined the principles of maritime safety and security, highlighting their significance to efficient shipping operations, the protection of lives and property, and the sustainability of maritime activities.
He discussed the identification and management of risks associated with vessel operations, cargo handling and other maritime activities, emphasising the need for strict compliance with safety regulations, regular inspections, adequate crew training and effective emergency response mechanisms.
Participants were also exposed to the importance of intelligence sharing, effective surveillance, coordinated security operations and adherence to relevant international maritime security standards.
The lecture distinguished between maritime safety, which focuses on preventing accidents and operational hazards, and maritime security, which addresses deliberate threats, unlawful activities and other hostile acts within the maritime domain.
Another CISN lecturer, Mr Sunday Duru, delivered a lecture on integrated marine environment management, examining the need for coordinated strategies to protect marine and coastal ecosystems from the environmental pressures associated with shipping, port operations and coastal development.
Duru stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, maritime operators, environmental organisations, coastal communities and other stakeholders in addressing environmental challenges confronting the maritime industry.
He identified marine pollution, oil spills, improper waste disposal, plastic pollution and the degradation of coastal ecosystems as critical concerns requiring sustained attention.
He also highlighted the importance of environmental monitoring, pollution prevention, proper waste management and effective enforcement of environmental regulations in safeguarding Nigeria’s marine resources.
Other courses covered shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, and the marine and blue economy.
These sessions were designed to broaden participants’ understanding of the commercial and operational processes underpinning shipping and port activities, while exposing them to the economic opportunities available in fisheries, coastal tourism and other ocean-related industries.
Speaking on the initiative, MARAN President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to sustained capacity building as a strategy for producing a corps of maritime journalists equipped to report the industry with greater accuracy, depth and professionalism.
Onigbinde maintained that effective maritime journalism required more than the ability to gather information and write news reports, stressing that journalists must understand the policies, regulations, commercial transactions and operational processes that shape the industry.
According to him, a technically informed maritime press would be better positioned to interrogate policy decisions, scrutinise industry practices, hold stakeholders accountable and explain complex maritime issues to the public.
He said MARAN would sustain its professional development initiatives through strategic partnerships with maritime institutions, government agencies and private-sector operators, creating more opportunities for members to acquire specialised knowledge and practical industry experience.
The association, he added, would continue to explore training programmes that expose members to emerging trends in shipping, port operations, maritime security, international trade and the blue economy.
Onigbinde stressed that continuous professional development was essential to strengthening the credibility of maritime journalism and improving public understanding of the sector’s contribution to national economic growth.
He expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired by participants would translate into improved reporting, particularly in the coverage of port efficiency, shipping operations, maritime safety, environmental sustainability and government policies affecting the industry.
The training comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to improve port competitiveness, strengthen maritime security, promote environmental sustainability and unlock the economic potential of its marine resources.
For MARAN, the programme represents an investment not only in the professional development of its members but also in the quality of public discourse on the maritime industry.
By equipping journalists with a deeper understanding of the sector’s technical and commercial realities, the association hopes to promote more informed reporting, strengthen accountability and enhance public appreciation of the maritime industry’s role in Nigeria’s economic development.
Customs
MACI hails Customs’ anti-corruption framework, demands full implementation
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Media Anti-Corruption Initiative (MACI) has applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for introducing a comprehensive anti-corruption framework aimed at identifying institutional vulnerabilities, strengthening internal controls and promoting integrity across the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The initiative, which MACI described as a significant milestone in the fight against corruption within the Service, is anchored on three key documents signed by the Customs chief: the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Internal Corruption Risk Analysis and Mapping (ICRAM), the ICRAM Handbook and the Integrity Action Plan (IAP).
In a statement jointly signed by MACI President, Funso Olojo, and Project Coordinator, Lod Onyeji, the organisation described the development as a “pivotal moment in the fight against corruption within the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Mr Olojo, who commended the initiative of the Customs, noted that the stance of the agency on corruption is in alignment with the aims and objectives of MACI which is an advocate for corruption- free society.
The signing ceremony, held on October 6th, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, also witnessed the inauguration of the ICRAM Steering Committee, which is responsible for identifying, assessing and mapping corruption risks across the Service’s operations.
According to the statement, the framework represents a proactive institutional approach to tackling corruption by identifying vulnerabilities in Customs processes and establishing measures to prevent abuse of office, improve accountability and strengthen public confidence in the Service.
The Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, disclosed that the framework was developed in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and partner administrations, including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom.
He explained that the documents provide practical guidance for Customs officers operating at seaports, land borders and airports, equipping them with procedures and controls designed to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
MACI noted that the introduction of the framework followed a pilot programme conducted across seven Customs Commands and Units, covering 66 processes spanning regulatory activities, core Customs operations and support functions.
The exercise culminated in the development of a comprehensive Integrity Action Plan containing 101 action items and 295 sub-actions designed to address identified corruption risks and strengthen institutional safeguards.
Key measures outlined in the plan include increased automation and improved audit trails, stronger supervisory mechanisms, clearer accountability structures, effective segregation of duties, regular staff rotations and targeted training programmes.
The framework also seeks to strengthen controls governing interactions between Customs officers and stakeholders, an area considered critical to reducing opportunities for corrupt practices and improving compliance with established procedures.
MACI commended the Customs leadership for adopting a risk-based approach to corruption prevention, noting that identifying and addressing institutional weaknesses before they are exploited is essential to building a transparent and accountable public institution.
The organisation, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the initiative would ultimately depend on the consistent implementation of the prescribed measures across all commands and operational units of the Service.
It therefore urged Customs management, officers, stakeholders and relevant partner institutions to support the full implementation of the framework to ensure that the initiative delivers measurable improvements in institutional integrity.
MACI expressed confidence that effective implementation of the ICRAM framework and Integrity Action Plan would strengthen internal controls, reduce corruption risks, promote ethical conduct and enhance public trust in the Nigeria Customs Service.
The organisation emphasised that the new framework should not merely remain a collection of policy documents but should translate into tangible changes in operational practices, staff conduct and the overall culture of accountability within the Service.
Headlines
NIMASA flaunts automation process of Nigerian ship registry at 2- day webinar with stakeholders
Funso OLOJO Editor
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will host a two-part stakeholder webinar on October 6 and 8, 2026, to showcase the ongoing automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry as part of efforts to modernise ship registration services and enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag.
The webinars will provide shipowners, operators, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers and other stakeholders with insights into the new digital registration platform and its potential to significantly improve the speed, transparency and efficiency of ship registration and related services.
The automated system is designed to enable 24/7 access to registration services, streamline application and approval processes, and facilitate faster issuance of electronic certificates, thereby reducing administrative delays associated with conventional paper-based procedures.
A key feature of the platform is its capacity to provide secure, real-time tracking of ship mortgages and related registry transactions. This will strengthen transparency and provide greater visibility for stakeholders, including financial institutions and other parties involved in vessel financing.
The automation initiative is also expected to make interaction with the Nigerian Ship Registry more seamless for local and international shipowners, while improving the Agency’s ability to deliver efficient, responsive and globally competitive flag-state services.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the automation of the Ship Registry was part of the Agency’s broader commitment to transforming the Nigerian flag and creating an enabling environment for increased participation in the global shipping industry.
“The automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry represents a significant step in our commitment to providing efficient, transparent and globally competitive services to shipowners and other maritime stakeholders.
“Our objective is to make the Nigerian flag more accessible, responsive and attractive through technology-driven processes that meet international standards,” Mobereola declared.
The ongoing user-testing phase is focused on validating the platform’s functionality, security and user experience ahead of its official deployment.
NIMASA said the webinars would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the platform, experience its key features and provide feedback as the Agency moves towards full implementation.
The Agency is inviting shipowners, ship managers, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers, legal practitioners, classification societies and other interested stakeholders to participate in the webinars.
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