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NIMASA’s regional collaborative efforts reduce piracy in GoG as pirates embrace alternative criminal enterprise

The Eyewitness Reporter with agency report
The regional collaborative efforts coordinated by Nigeria through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) against piracy in the West African sub-region, have reduced pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea.
 According to Dryad Global’s 2022/2023 annual report, the intense anti-piracy war championed by NIMASA in the subregion has pushed pirate activities to all-time low in 2022 as the criminals have abandoned the illicit activities.
However, the report said the criminals have instead taken up oil theft and drug trafficking as alternative criminal enterprises.
“Piracy and maritime crime continued to decline in the Gulf of Guinea last year, largely in response to heightened regional and international anti-piracy efforts, but this has pushed pirates into other criminal enterprises, such as oil theft and drug trafficking”
The report noted that last year’s reduction in piracy in the waters of Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea was a result of governments and organisations working together to carry out joint naval patrols, share intelligence, and coordinate responses to piracy incidents.
“Governments in the region also increased their law enforcement presence, deploying more naval vessels and patrol boats to piracy-prone areas.

“Additionally, counter-piracy legislation and prosecution were strengthened, criminalizing piracy and establishing specialized courts,” Dryad stated.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) reported 115 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2022 – compared to 132 in 2021 – with half in south-east Asian waters, particularly the Singapore Straits, where incidents continue to rise.

 This is broken down into 107 vessels boarded, two hijacked, five attempted attacks and one vessel fired on.
 In “many cases”, vessels were either anchored or steaming when boarded, with nearly all incidents occurring during the hours of darkness.
The continued and much-needed reduction in global piracy is attributed to an overall decrease in pirate activity in the highly risky waters of the Gulf of Guinea – down from 35 incidents in 2021 to 19 in 2022.

The Gulf of Guinea continues to report a decreasing number of incidents, with just five reported in the first quarter of 2023, down from eight last year and 16 in 2021, the IMB reported.

Nevertheless, the region remains dangerous.

In March 2023, pirates boarded a product tanker off the coast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while in April, another tanker was boarded about 300 nautical miles southwest of Abidjan, Ivory Coast – all crew were later reported safe with the oil cargo the target.
According to Dr. Okafor-Yarwood, a Lecturer in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews, the reduction in piracy “is something of a contradiction because, while we’re seeing a decrease in some maritime crimes thanks to increased collaboration and cooperation on regional, national and international levels, criminals are unfortunately moving elsewhere.

“For instance, when it comes to oil theft and drug trafficking, criminals are having more success as our repulsion efforts drive their creativity.”

Okafor-Yarwood said there is increased collaboration and cooperation between nations on the maritime security front, on regional and international levels but the biggest challenge at a regional level is a limitation of assets and not being able to coordinate their use between those who have such assets, and those who do not.

 However, improved coordination in Nigeria is bearing fruit, notably through the Deep Blue Project run by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
“When NIMASA and other Nigerian maritime agencies are fully integrated, I think they’ll be able to do far more effective work than they are currently.

“We’re seeing evidence of the Nigerian navy’s ability to work effectively and actually lead as an example showing that the Gulf of Guinea countries are able to secure their waters when they have the right assets, information, and support,” she said.

Less piracy but more attacks in the Indian Ocean

Although piracy has dropped on both Africa’s East and West coasts, in 2022, the northern Indian Ocean witnessed several maritime security incidents that had significant implications for the region.

 These included the targeted attack on the Israeli vessel M/T Pacific Zircon by Iran in November, a series of incidents involving Houthi rebels offshore of Hodeidah in Yemen, and a number of attacks on vessels calling at southern Yemeni ports along the Gulf of Aden coast.

 Alongside such notable events were a number of smaller but no less tangible maritime security concerns in the form of approaches recorded within the Bab al Mandab and the Gulf of Aden, Dryad reported.

“In November 2022, Iran’s role in targeting the M/T Pacific Zircon, an Israeli-owned vessel, stood out as a prominent maritime security event.

” The attack on the tanker, reportedly carried out by Iranian forces, involved the use of explosive-laden drones. This act of aggression resulted in substantial damage to the vessel’s hull.

” The incident drew international attention due to its connection to the broader pattern of Iran targeting Israeli-linked vessels in the region.

“Simultaneously, Houthi rebels in Yemen played a significant role in maritime incidents offshore of Hodeidah within 2022, originating with the boarding and subsequent detention of the M/V Rwabee 20nm West Ras Isa Terminal in January.

” Whilst currently involved in a protracted peace process as well as a protracted conflict with the Yemeni government and its international allies, Houthi rebels continue to employ various asymmetric tactics in their actions.
“These have included the use of naval mines, coastal defence missiles, and unmanned explosive-laden boats.

“The targets of these attacks included commercial ships and military vessels, posing threats to maritime trade, the lives of seafarers, and the environment due to potential oil spills.

“Within southern Yemen, several incidents highlighted the threat to vessels calling at ports in the region. These included two drone-driven explosions in close proximity to the M/T Nissos Kea at the port of Ash Shihr, an attack on the al-Dhabba oil terminal by Houthi rebels, and an aerial drone attack on the cargo vessel Ata M at the port of Qena.

“These incidents underscored the volatile nature of the region and the challenges in maintaining maritime safety, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures,” Dryad stated.

“The combined effect of these incidents highlights the persistent challenges faced in ensuring maritime security in the northern Indian Ocean.

“The targeted attack on the M/T Pacific Zircon by Iran illustrated the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel and the potential repercussions for states involved in perceived grievance with Iran.

” Meanwhile, Houthi rebel activities off the coast of Hodeidah highlighted the disruptive impact of regional conflicts on maritime operations, emphasizing the need for robust security measures.”

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Stakeholders kick against renewal of ETO contract with TTP as NPA reviews agreement 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
There is a groundswell of opposition among maritime stakeholders against any plan for  renewal of Electronic Call- Up System, otherwise called ETO,
contract with the Truck Transit Park(TTP).
TTP company was the pioneer contractor engaged by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in February 2021  to drive the e- call up system at its commencement at the Nigerian ports.
However, the five- year contract expired last February while the NPA is set to review the contract again.
While the TTP have started lobbying the NPA management to get a renewal of the lucrative contract, stakeholders have called on the agency to shun the request of the contractor and instead give it out to a more competent company which is not suseptible to corruption.
The stakeholders argued that, though the electronic truck movement system was a laudable initiative but was married by fraud , corruption and gross  inefficiency as the TTP officials used the system to extort truckers.
The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has expressed strong opposition to the contract renewal, citing allegations of fraud, extortion, and inefficiency in the TTP.
COMTUA noted that the system has caused financial burden and, at times, worsened, rather than improved, the waiting times for trucks.
COMTUA  therefore urged  the NPA to consider other more efficient solutions for managing port access.
Stakeholders readily pointed to the plate number and ticket frauds which rocked the system
During the crisis period, plate number and cloning fraud emerged as major methods used to sabotage the Electronic Call-up System (“Eto”) at Nigerian ports, enabling unapproved trucks to gain access to port terminals.

Syndicates and fraudulent truckers have been caught using fake, duplicated, or borrowed license plates to match Eto tickets, a practice that undermined the automated system intended to manage traffic congestion

Truckers often duplicate the plate number of a vehicle with a valid Eto ticket and attached it to an unauthorized truck.

Fraudsters engage in “proxy booking,” where they generated tickets for fake or non-existent trucks and then use those tickets for other vehicles by swapping plate numbers at the gate.

Due to the scarcity of spots,, valid Eto tickets were frequently resold at inflated prices (up to ₦450,000 against a ₦21,000 official rate), with the forged plate numbers used to bypass security checks.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)  intercepted hundreds of fake plate numbers and counterfeit Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers in single raids, particularly around the MPS pre-gate in Apapa.

It was these and other fraudulent acts perpetrated under the management of ETO by the TPP that made stakeholders to advised the NPA not to renew the contract with the company.

“Renewal of the TPP contract will be a monumental error by the NPA because the company used the system to extort and overburdened the truckers.

A more competent company should be engaged to drive the process”  one of the truckers union executives told our reporter.

However, the NPA has reaffirmed its dedication to a “congestion-free” port environment and is actively assessing the performance of the Eto system.

The agency emphasized that the electronic call-up is now a cornerstone of their digital agenda, aimed at increasing transparency and minimizing human interaction.

The review process is ongoing, with significant pressure from stakeholders to either continue with the current system (with improvements) or seek a new, more efficient solution to maintain sanity on the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access road

But the Authority  has assured port users and industry stakeholders that there will be no disruption to operations as it reviews the expired agreement governing the Electronic Truck Call-Up System (ETO)

The contract between the NPA and Truck Transit Park Ltd (TTP), which manages the ETO platform, reached its term at the end of February and is currently under review.

Nevertheless ,the Authority has moved swiftly to calm concerns, emphasizing that port efficiency and seamless cargo movement remain top priorities.

In a statement, the NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said there are clear provisions within the expired agreement to guarantee operational stability.

“There are options under the expired agreement to be adopted to ensure that necessary arrangements are in place for business continuity by the parties that would ensure that operations are not disrupted in any way,” Onyemekara said.

He described the review as a routine administrative process consistent with global best practices, noting that the Authority is committed to safeguarding the gains recorded since the introduction of the digital call-up system.

The ETO platform was introduced in 2021 at the height of the Apapa gridlock crisis to regulate truck movement into the Lagos ports corridor.
By requiring pre-booked access slots before trucks approach the ports, the system restored order to the once chaotic logistics chain and significantly reduced traffic congestion along port access roads.
Industry observers noted that under the NPA’s supervision, the digital regime has contributed to improved cargo evacuation, enhanced vessel turnaround time, and greater predictability in port operations.
They however warned that renewing the contract with TTP will reverse the gains of the system and stagnate the process of electronic movement of trucks in and out of the Ports.
While the review process continues, the NPA has reiterated its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement in determining the next phase of the call-up system.
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National Single Window, a marriage of strange bed fellows that may change nothing in cargo clearance process – Segun Musa 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
A maritime expert and the National Vice President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Segun Musa, has taken a swipe at the celebrated National Single Window(NSW) programme of the Federal government, describing it as a ‘mere jamboree’ that may not have the desired impact on cargo clearance process at the Port.
Dr Musa, who was the guest at the weekly Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) roundtable discussion programme held on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, at Apapa , Lagos,said the NSW is like ‘an ordinary shell that houses different agencies’ that don’t have equal efficiency in trade facilitation.
He noted that SW is like a chain and it will be as strong as it’s weakest link.
The NAGAFF chief observed that if all the participating agencies are not ready and their operations are not automated, the whole essence will be a waste of time and resources because, according to him, one of the agencies in the link  can delay the process due to inefficiency.
” What is the level of competence and efficiency of the participating agencies?
“If all of them are warehoused in a single window, an incompetent agency among them could frustrate the process.
“So let nobody deceive us that there’s going to be one single window that it’s going to be a game changer that will facilitate trade and everything will just be moving. It’s never true” Musa declared.
It could be recalled that the Federal government has fixed March 27th, 2026 as the official date for the launch of the first phase of the NSW.
On African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dr Musa said the programme would not deliver meaningful impact for Nigeria without clearly defined, holistic and measurable policies to drive its implementation, criticizing what he described as Nigeria’s ceremonial participation in the programme.
According to him, genuine participation under AfCFTA should reflect in export volumes and measurable benchmarks rather than media showcases of minimal shipments.
“If we were serious under this scheme, we should be talking about exporting 200,000 to 300,000 containers by now — even up to a million.
” Instead, we are celebrating one or two containers and gathering media houses to showcase them. Is that participation? It’s painful for a country of this size,” he said.
Musa argued that policy frameworks must be predictive and structured in a way that allows stakeholders to key into them with certainty of outcomes.
“A policy must be holistic. You should be able to key into it and predict what will happen. That is the essence of policy. What we are doing now is a waste of time and resources,” he stated.
Responding to question on policy gaps and measurable benchmarks required to reposition Nigeria under AfCFTA, Musa maintained that the challenge was not the absence of declarations but the lack of institutional readiness and structured participation.
He further compared Nigeria’s export performance with that of Europe and Asia, noting that serious trading economies focus on volume and competitiveness rather than symbolic shipments.
The maritime expert expressed concern that without concrete benchmarks, coordinated institutional reforms and export-driven strategies, Nigeria may struggle to maximise opportunities under AfCFTA.
The roundtable ended with renewed calls for actionable policies, institutional competence and measurable targets to ensure that the continental trade agreement translates into tangible economic gains for the country
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Indigenous maritime investors seek partnership with NIWA for mutual development of inland waterways 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors has pledged to unlock strategic investment opportunities aimed at developing Nigeria’s vast but largely untapped maritime tourism economy for the benefit of littoral communities in Lagos and across the country.
The group, Allied Concessionaires and Blue Economy Alliance, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah, on Tuesday at the NIWA Lagos Area Office.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the coalition, Bolaji Olasade, explained that the alliance is made up of reputable and experienced maritime tourism and transportation operators committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality by integrating safe and efficient water transportation systems.
 He noted that the initiative is designed to create jobs, boost coastal tourism, and expand economic opportunities within Lagos and beyond.
“We came to formally introduce our coalition, which is not a conventional association but a consortium of visible and tested operators, mostly concessionaires, who are willing and ready to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure.
“We are also focused on opening up littoral communities through destination marketing and the promotion of resorts,” Olasade stated.
He added that the group seeks to reposition Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors by transforming the country’s waterfront hospitality and tourism landscape into a globally competitive industry.
In her remarks, the Secretary of the coalition, Barrister Dorcas Aderemi, emphasized that the Nigerian marine and blue economy sector can only thrive when the inland waterways ecosystem is strategically aligned for sustainable investment and funding.
She called for a structured public-private partnership model between the private sector and NIWA to fast-track development and enhance inland waterways utilization.
According to her, such collaboration would not only stimulate economic growth and job creation but also significantly boost government revenue and national development.
The group commended Engineer Braimah for her leadership and commitment to industry growth, particularly her zero-tolerance stance on boat transportation accidents and security infractions on inland waterways in Lagos.
They also congratulated her on her recent Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award, describing it as a testament to her dedication to national service.
Responding, Engineer Braimah welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for their interest in partnering with NIWA.
She assured them of the Authority’s willingness to collaborate in unlocking opportunities within the inland waterways corridor in Lagos and across Nigeria.
“We are pleased to receive you and have listened carefully to your intentions to collaborate with us.
“We recognize that NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially serious investors with genuine financial commitments to the industry.
“We will communicate your proposals to our headquarters in Abuja to explore how your group can leverage existing opportunities,” she said.
The Area Manager further highlighted the need to modernize inland water transportation by introducing new boats and ferries to gradually phase out outdated watercraft, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and value across the waterways transportation and hospitality sectors.
She concluded by urging the coalition to remain united, avoid internal conflicts, and focus on delivering meaningful impact, particularly for littoral communities that must be actively engaged and empowered to benefit from maritime tourism and transportation opportunities within their environment.
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