Connect with us

Headlines

Shippers’ Council seeks stakeholders’ support for efficient National Single Window project

Barr. Pius Akutah,ES, NSC
 The Eyewitness Reporter 
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has expressed its readiness to support the National Single Window (NSW) Steering Committee in promoting the effective operationalization of the platform in the country.
The Executive Secretary / Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, disclosed this on Thursday when the Steering Committee of the National Single Window team paid a working visit to the agency’s headquarters.
While appreciating the committee for the visit to the Council, Akutah called on all relevant agencies involved in the project to embrace automation to aid their respective operational processes.
The Executive Secretary noted that ” Automation is one of the key elements we have to pursue as agencies and ensure we automate our processes as quickly as possible”.
Akutah expressed optimism that the implementation of the National Single Window would be of great benefit for the Council and the port Industry respectively.
He  also affirmed the Federal Government’s  commitment to diversification to the
non-oil sector, adding that NSW is one of the structures that will help to meet the aspirations of the Marine & Blue Economy.
The Council’s boss told the team that the Council is planning to go paperless to aid operational activities.
He also told his guests that the NCS is awaiting its new bill to optimally carry out its regulatory activities.
With the passage of the law,  Barr. Akutah Pius said  NSC will work round the clock to transform the sector to a regional maritime hub with efficient and effective service delivery.
 He reiterated the need to address inter-agency rivalry and uphold peaceful co-existence in maritime operations.
Earlier, Head of Project Secretariat for the  National Single Window Steering Committee, Mr.Tola Fakolade called on stakeholders and agencies’ support to meet the Federal government’s aspirations of having the project operation in Nigeria.
The Head of the Project Secretariat for the  National Single Window Steering Committee, while briefing the management team of the Council about their mission, said that the NSC’s buy-in was key in actualizing the National Single Window project.
The team lead,  who made a presentation on the project, also gave the benefits of the NSW project which include enhancement of government revenue, increased foreign investment, increased trade volumes and improved automation processes.
It would be recalled that President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the National Steering Committee to ensure the implementation of the National Single Window  (NSW) in the country.
Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Headlines

Tantita gifts military 15 gun boats to enhance security surveillance on Nigeria’s waters 

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
 In a bid to further decapitate the capacity of pirates and armed robbers  at  sea, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, has donated 15 sophisticated and high- caliber gun boats to Nigerian Armed Forces.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is a private security company headquartered in Effurun, Delta State, specializing in protecting Nigeria’s vital oil and gas infrastructure through pipeline protection, paramilitary escort, and advanced surveillance operations.
The commissioning ceremony took place at the Nigerian Navy Boatyard in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, May 14th, 2026.
The company handed over seven gun boats to the Nigeria Army while the Nigeria Navy got eight gun boats.
The vessels are expected to enhance joint operations against oil theft, piracy, and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta and coastal waters.
The event featured military officials, representatives of Tantita Security Services, and dignitaries from Rivers State government.
The commissioning underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways.
Officials emphasized that the deployment of these gun boats will strengthen surveillance, rapid response, and deterrence against criminal activities threatening national economic assets.
Nigeria’s maritime domain has long been vulnerable to illegal bunkering, smuggling, and piracy.
By equipping both the Army and Navy with modern gun boats, Tantita Security Services aims to reinforce the military’s operational readiness and ensure safer navigation for commercial and civilian vessels.
Continue Reading

Headlines

APMT pledges fresh $600m investment to boost terminal operations at Apapa port.

Funso OLOJO,  Editor
The APM Terminals has pledged a fresh investment portfolio of $600m to shore up its terminal operations at the Apapa Port.
The Dutch company operates the largest container terminals in the West African sub- regional at Apapa port.
The Regional President, APM Terminals Africa-Europe, Igor van den Essen, disclosed this when he led other executives, including Head of Investments, APM Terminals, Martijn Van Dongen, and CEO, APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, to meet with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
Igor van den Essen said the proposed investments will be deployed in Apapa port modernisation, logistics infrastructure, and long-term private-sector investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
President Tinubu welcomed the investments, emphasising that Nigeria is repositioning itself for greater competitiveness through ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure modernisation.
He said the country is determined to move beyond structural bottlenecks and outdated systems, stressing the need for advanced technology, faster cargo processing, and improved operational efficiency across the nation’s ports.
He emphasised that Nigeria possesses the market scale, talent base, and economic potential to support globally competitive maritime and logistics infrastructure investments and called on other investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s reform outcomes.
Earlier, Igor van den Essen lauded President Tinubu’s reform agenda and policy direction, which had strengthened investor confidence and created renewed momentum for long-term infrastructure investments.
He described Nigeria as a strategic stronghold within its African operations, referencing over 20 years of collaboration and substantial existing investments in the country’s port ecosystem.
He reaffirmed his company’s commitment to expanding investments in Nigeria and disclosed plans to support the development of world-class terminal infrastructure and technology-driven port operations.
He also commended President Tinubu for establishing the National Single Window (NSW), which has streamlined trade procedures, improved Customs coordination, and reduced delays in cargo clearance.
In another meeting with Winme Group executives, President Bola Tinubu called for deeper investment partnerships to unlock Nigeria’s opportunities in logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure development.
He stressed the need for integrated investments linking ports, transport systems, processing facilities, and export infrastructure to drive industrial growth and competitiveness.
The delegation expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term investment potential, having closely followed President Tinubu’s reforms.
Continue Reading

Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
‎
‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
‎
‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
‎
‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.
‎
‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.
‎
‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.
‎
‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.
‎
‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
‎
‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.
‎
‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.
‎
‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.
‎
‎“Technology changes processes  leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
‎
‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.
‎
‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.
‎
‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.
‎
‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.
Continue Reading

Trending