Headlines

Much Ado about Dayo Mobereola appointment as NIMASA DG

Dr Dayo Mobereola

The Eyewitness Reporter

Since the appointment of Dr Dayo Mobereola as the new Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the maritime industry has gone abuzz with divergent views, opinions and speculations.

Specifically, opinions have been divided among two opposing sides.

While one side, who was probably caught unaware of the sudden turn of events that has disrupted its calculations, projections and expectations, has started to attack the new appointee even before he resumed duties, the other side, who believes the new NIMASA DG should be given a chance like his predecessors, has stoutly stood and rationalised the appointment.

While one side was embittered that the appointment of Dr Mobereola has upturned their apple chart, the other side, believed NIMASA needs a fresh breath of air in the regulatory agency.

However, in order to rationalise their bias and beliefs which are deeply rooted in a preconceived notion of who is more qualified for the coveted office, the antagonists of the new NIMASA appointee have started to grow goose pimples over what they erroneously believed was his delayed resumption of duties as the new NIMASA DG.

In hush tones, they have given out an uninformed narrative that Dr Mobereola has failed to resume office as the NIMASA DG one week after his appointment.

The peddlers of this outlandish narrative have further justified their bias against the appointment of the former LAMATA boss.

However, such people have failed to take into cognisance the procedures of appointments and resumption of civil servants in public service.

They were oblivious of the extant rules that in the public service, appointments of public officers go through layers of confirmation and ratification before the appointees can resume office.

In the case of ministers, when the President makes his appointments, he sends the nominees to the Senate for approval.

During this period, Minister – Designates go through a senate screening exercise where their nominations are either confirmed or rejected.

This process takes a little while.As for the heads of agencies like NIMASA, the presidential appointment has to go through the office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation(SGF) where a letter will be issued to the office of the Head of Service where another letter of notification has to be issued to the relevant ministry where the final appointment letter will be issued to the appointed head of the agency.

“This is the procedure the new NIMASA DG is currently going through at the moment.

“His appointment has to go through the office of the SGF where a letter will be sent to the Head of Service who will notify the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy where the minister will issue a final letter of appointment to Dr Mobereola before he can officially resume office.

“At present, he is in Abuja where he was going through the last lap of the official procedure and he is looking likely to resume duties at NIMASA tomorrow( Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 or before the week runs out,” a knowledgeable source at NIMASA told our reporter.

“Dr Mobereola was in Lagos last weekend where he interacted with other members of the management staff.

“He is ready and eager to resume duties as soon as he completes the necessary procedural steps” the NIMASA source declared.

” Another highly placed source close to the minister of Marine and Blue economy, Gboyega Oyetola, also confirmed the procedure which the appointment of the new NIMASA DG would take before he officially resumes.

“I can tell you categorically that there is no cause for alarm. The new man is eminently qualified to assume that position given his professional qualifications and track record in public service.

“The stakeholders should give him a chance, allow him to settle down and concentrate on the task ahead” the ministerial source pleaded.

The sources reminded the skeptics that the new helmsmen at the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA) and Nigerian Shippers’Council, all went through the same process before they resumed duties about two weeks after their appointments.

“These two didn’t resume immediately after their appointments.

“Their appointments went through the same procedure that Dr Mobereola is currently going through.

“Why the resumption of Dr. Bashir Jamoh and that of Mohammed Bello-Koko when both took over at NIMASA and NPA respectively was because both men were insiders as they were both, incidentally, Executive Directors, Finance and Administrations at their respective agencies when they took over,” another source said.

Dr Mobereola’s appointment as NIMASA DG was announced on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024.

He took over from Dr Bashir Jamoh whose tenure expired last week Sunday, March 10th, 2024 and handed over to Chudi Offordile, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the agency

Moberola obtained an MSc and a Ph.D. in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and Nigeria.

His studies exposed him to Social Development and Welfare, Maritime Safety and Security Management, and Maritime Piracy and Transnational Criminal Activities.

Stakeholders believed he is eminently qualified to head the maritime regulatory agency as a thoroughbred professional.

Related Topics:Dayo Mobereola appointment featured

Up Next

FG waives 25 percent penalty on improperly imported vehicles

Don't Miss

Tin Can Customs in arms, illicit drugs haul, collects N240 billion revenue in two and half months

Click to comment

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.