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The futility of waiting on Mobereola, NIMASA DG, for CVFF disbursement 

Funso Olojo 
Thursday, May 9th, 2024, the new Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for the first time since his assumption of duties, met with the expectant stakeholders in the maritime industry.
The meeting, held at the prestigious Eko Hotels, attracted core maritime players such as shipping companies, terminal operators, maritime labour, Seafarers, ship owners, Navy and other service providers in the industry.
Three former NIMASA DGs, Dr Ade Dosunmu,  Ferndinad Agu and Barrister Temisan Omatseye,
were also there to offer their advice and lend their support in solidarity with the new helmsman.
The stakeholders came to the meeting with their plates packed full of a menu of expectations and demands.
Mobereola, who was barely two months in the saddle, sat patiently, with broad smiles, as each category of stakeholders came with their bag full of demands.
At a point during about three hours of engagement, Mobereola lost his trade mark smile when the load of expectations from the expectant stakeholders began to weigh in on him.
Maritime security, infrastructural development, ratification of IMO treaties and conventions, empowerment and training of Seafarers, professionalisation and automation of NIMASA services, upgrade of ship registry.
The list is endless.
Mobereola was taking all these demands and expectations in his stride until the issue of disbursement of Cabotage Vessels Financing Funds (CVFF) came up.
At this point, he lost his smile and assumed a more serious expression as he listened with bewilderment to the tale of a long wait, disappointment and frustration of ship owners over the CVFF disbursement.
Then, Barrister Temisan Omatseye, the former NIMASA DG, dropped the clincher when he turned to Mobereola and told him point blank that he would not be able to disburse the controversial CVFF, giving reasons for his pessimism.
“Let me be frank with you sir, you will not be able to disburse the CVFF” Barrister Temisan Omatseye said with a deadpan expression, which further made Mobereola lose his composure.
Little wonder, the NIMASA DG tactically avoided speaking or making any commitment to the disbursement of the CVFF while responding to the array of demands and expectations of the stakeholders.
 He promised to revamp and automate the ship registry, he pledged to run an inclusive administration and be gender sensitive.
As a matter of fact, he promised to defer to the advice and suggestions of the former NIMASA DGs and consider the inputs of stakeholders in forming his policies and programmes as NIMASA DG.
He, however, avoided the issue of CVFF disbursement like a plague as he didn’t make any commitment towards its disbursement.
The decision by Mobereola not to make any commitment towards disbursement of the CVFF, to some stakeholders, was a smart administrative move that will save the new helmsman a load of stress.
To them, making a commitment to the controversial subject will put him under unnecessary pressure from the hapless ship owners who have become weary of long wait.
His commitment will become a yardstick for the assessment of his administration by the critical stakeholders.
The disbursement of CVFF is not only bigger than NIMASA DG but not within his power to determine, so said some discerning industry operators.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao, said that much when he said disbursement of CVFF is a political game which Mobereola is not cut out to play.
“He does not have the power to push for the disbursement of the fund.
“The law is very clear in the Cabotage Act who is in charge and that money is subject to the approval of the National Assembly because it is an income that goes to the Federation Account but it should not be used like that because it’s a purpose driven contribution” the master mariner noted.
Of course, the disbursement of CVFF  has become a political chess game while successive NIMASA DGs were mere pawns on the chessboard.
Since 2002 when the funds debutted from the two per cent deductions from Cabotage contracts, and 2006 when the guidelines for its disbursement were spelt out, no single ship owner, dead or alive, has benefitted from it.
It has never been disbursed.
Former Ministers and NIMASA DGs have all been consumed by the high-wire politics and administrative intrigues surrounding the disbursement of the controversial interventionist funds.
Rotimi Amaechi, the former minister of Transportation, despite his political clout and vibrancy, had to cry out in frustration and asked the ship owners, the supposed beneficiaries, to take their destinies into their own hands when he met a political brick wall.
His successor, Alhaji Sambo Muazu, staked his integrity over the disbursement but lost out, despite his claim of securing the approval of the then President Mohammudu Buhari.
The story was not different from the previous NIMASA DGs who made promises of disbursement but failed.
From Dakuku Peterside to his successor, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the immediate past DG, it was a tale of frustration and forlorn hope.
Of particular instance was Dr Jamoh who showed genuine desire and consuming passion to disburse the funds.
He got to the final stage of the hurdle before the disagreement between NIMASA and the approved primary lending institutions(PLIs) over interest rates chargeable on the loan eventually stalled the process.
He was in the process of resuming the negotiation when he exited the agency after the expiration of his tenure.
So given this scenario, observers noted that it would be futile and a hope stretched too far for indigenous ship owners to wait on Mobereola, a man who is probably not well grounded in the politics of CVFF, for the disbursement of the Funds.
Apart from his innocence and  naivity in the politics of CVFF disbursement, his position is not helped by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, who has not shown any interest and commitment towards the disbursement of the funds.
Any NIMASA DG who will pull the chestnut of CVFF disbursement out of fire must have a strong-willed Minister, someone in the mould of Rotimi Amaechi, to lend his political weight to the battle.
From all indications,  Gboyega Oyetola does not cut the picture of such a strong-willed character that can exert the necessary political pressure to pull off the disbursement of CVFF, notwithstanding his perceived closeness and affinity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
With such weak political support and lack of commitment towards the controversial subject, indigenous ship owners will be stretching their luck too far if they should expect the disbursement of the CVFF under the NIMASA administration of Dr Dayo Mobereola.
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Headlines

As NRC recovers ₦200m stolen railway assets, Opeifa vows diligent prosecution of suspects

— assures sustained collaboration with security agencies 

 Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to protecting railway infrastructure through sustained collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, following the recovery of stolen railway materials valued at about ₦200 million.

Dr. Opeifa gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

The NRC boss, who was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Railway Police Command, CP Lasisi Titilola, stressed that the Corporation would ensure the diligent prosecution of all suspects arrested for vandalising railway facilities to serve as a strong deterrent against future acts of sabotage.

He praised the Oyo State Police Command and the Nigeria Railway Police Command for their professionalism and swift response, which led to the arrest of three suspected railway vandals and the recovery of railway materials worth approximately ₦200 million.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation while allegedly transporting vandalised railway materials from Niger State to Lagos.

Describing the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against railway vandalism, Dr. Opeifa said it underscored the effectiveness of the growing partnership between the NRC and security agencies in safeguarding critical national infrastructure.

He reiterated the Corporation’s resolve to deepen collaboration with the Police, other security agencies, state governments, host communities and relevant stakeholders to curb vandalism, theft and other criminal activities capable of disrupting railway operations across the country.

The NRC Managing Director also appealed to members of the public to support the campaign against railway vandalism by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to delivering safe, reliable and sustainable rail transportation while working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to protect the nation’s railway infrastructure,” Dr. Opeifa said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, called on the National Assembly to strengthen existing laws protecting critical national infrastructure by prescribing stiffer penalties for vandals.
He warned criminals to steer clear of Oyo State, assuring that the Command would continue to track, arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the destruction or theft of public assets.
CP Abimbola disclosed that the three suspects, along with the recovered railway materials, would be handed over to the Nigeria Railway Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

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Headlines

NSC marks 31 years of maritime judicial capacity building with 18th international seminar for Judges

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, will commemorate 31 years of judicial capacity development in Nigeria’s maritime sector as it hosts the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges from July 22 to 24, 2026, in Abuja.

The biennial seminar, organised in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), will take place at the Ballroom of the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Abuja Continental Hotel, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.

Established in 1995, the International Maritime Seminar for Judges has become Nigeria’s foremost judicial capacity-building programme in maritime law and admiralty practice, providing a platform for strengthening the administration of maritime justice and aligning the country’s legal framework with evolving global standards.

This year’s edition is expected to bring together senior judicial officers, maritime law experts, policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders from Nigeria and across Africa to deliberate on contemporary legal issues affecting the maritime industry.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will chair the event, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, will serve as the Chief Host.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is the Host of the seminar.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will attend as the Distinguished Guest of Honour, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, will participate as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), will grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

The seminar is designed to enhance the capacity of judges and legal practitioners in maritime adjudication, promote consistency in judicial decisions and strengthen the legal environment required to facilitate international trade, attract investment and support the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

Participants will examine a wide range of emerging issues in maritime law through presentations by distinguished jurists, renowned maritime lawyers, academics and international experts.

Key discussion areas include the implementation of the Admiralty Jurisdiction (Procedure) Rules, 2023, ship mortgages and judicial sale of ships, maritime cargo claims under the port concession regime, arbitration and hybrid dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as the legal implications of demurrage, detention and storage charges in international shipping.

The seminar will also explore how Nigeria’s maritime dispute resolution system can be better aligned with international best practices to improve investor confidence and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s maritime sector.

In a demonstration of its growing continental relevance, the event is expected to attract Chief Justices from The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Sierra Leone, alongside judges from their respective judiciaries.

Also expected are Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Judges of the Federal and State High Courts, legal advisers, in-house counsel, maritime practitioners, academics, regulators and other stakeholders from across the maritime industry.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council said the seminar underscores its enduring commitment to strengthening maritime justice through continuous judicial engagement, knowledge sharing and the development of a robust legal framework capable of supporting efficient dispute resolution, facilitating trade and advancing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda.

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Customs

Customs puts smiles on faces of 4,237 retirees as Adeniyi releases N7.61bn to 9 PFAs for payment

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disbursed N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the payment of retirement benefits to 4,237 retired Customs officers, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its former personnel.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a dialogue with retired officers held on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, where he announced that the funds had already been released to the PFAs for immediate credit to the retirees’ individual Retirement Savings Accounts.

According to the beneficiary breakdown, Premium Pension has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,268 retirees, followed by Access-ARM Pension Managers with 1,223.

Leadway Pensions will pay 403 retirees, TrustFund Pensions 156, FCMB Pensions 144, Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11, while Fidelity Pension Managers will pay four retirees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237.

Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi stressed that the Customs Service remains committed to ensuring the welfare of both serving and retired officers, noting that the institution’s future is closely tied to how it treats those who devoted their careers to its service.

He said the Service must remain financially strong and capable of meeting its obligations, emphasizing that retirees deserve dignity and timely access to their benefits.

The CGC also called for sustained engagement between the Service and its retirees, explaining that the dialogue was convened to address concerns, foster mutual understanding, and dispel misinformation.

“I acknowledge your concerns and suggestions, and it is in view of this that we convened this dialogue to promote better understanding and reduce the effect of rumours and unofficial information on the relationship between the Service and its retired personnel,” Adeniyi said.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Tijjani Abe, and other members of the Customs Management Team, who assured the retirees that the issues raised would receive due consideration at both the Board and Management levels.

The retired officers commended the Comptroller-General and the Management for creating a platform for direct interaction, describing the engagement as timely and beneficial.

They appealed for the dialogue to become a regular feature to strengthen the bond between the Service and its retired workforce.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve pension administration, following plans to review relevant statutory provisions, including Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, in line with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with the aim of enhancing the welfare of pensioners across the public service.

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