Headlines

NBS exposes lack of depth of reforms in maritime industry as it rates sector low in contribution to Nigeria’s GDP

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

Funso Olojo

The National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) has exposed the shallow depth of the reforms in the maritime industry, which according to the ratings of the agency, have not yet produced desired results to catapult the sector into its reckoning.

In his latest ranking of the contributions of various sectors to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, the maritime sector was not captured in the data for the assessment.

The NBS, in its data analysis, only mentioned water transport, as the contributor to the country’s GDP.

In the 2023 report, the NBS noted that water transport contributed a mere N12.6 billion which was 0.01% of GDP.

In Q2 of 2022, the maritime sector as represented by the water transport in the report, contributed a mere N2.4 billion to the GDP out of N45.5 trillion GDP for that period.

Stakeholders believed that this was a reflection of the so-called reform programmes which the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy prided itself on having initiated in the sector.

They noted that the ministry has not done enough to trigger the necessary transformation in the sector which could lead to the full exploitation of the huge potential in the industry.

The low rating of the sector by the NBS and the below-average performance of the new ministry came amidst the controversial award which was curiously given to the Ministry by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council(PEBEC) as the best-performing ministry in driving ease of doing business.

It could be recalled that on June 28th, 2024, the Special Adviser to the President on

Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, at a town hall meeting, pronounced the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as the Best Performing Ministry in the delivery of the reform activities, a claim which stakeholders have roundly condemned and faulted.

Muda Yusuf, the CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), has bemoaned the lightweight performance of the maritime industry despite its huge potential.

The former Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, however, condemned the underreporting of the maritime sector by the NBS.

Some stakeholders have however attributed the non-recognition of the capacity of the sector by the NBS to the gross failure of the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Meanwhile, Dr. Yusuf, who was the lead speaker at the breakfast meeting convened by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) in Lagos, believed that the maritime industry has contributed far more than what was reported by the NBS.

“There is evidently a gross under-reporting of the activities of the maritime sector by the National Bureau of Statistics.

“For instance, in the Q2 GDP report, the maritime sector (water transport) was said to have contributed a mere 2.4bn Naira to the GDP out of N45.5trn GDP for the quarter.

“This is a contribution of a mere 0.01 percent. In the first quarter of 2022, the NBS recorded 0 percent contribution of the sector to GDP.

“In the GDP numbers, water transport is the only proxy closest to maritime. But maritime sector activities are beyond water transportation.” Dr Yusuf observed.

However, while delivering a paper at the breakfast meeting with the theme: Trade Facilitation and President Tinubu Economic Agenda: Matters Arising, the CPPE boss frowned at the lack of recognition of the maritime industry’s contributions to the GDP.

“As a country, we are yet to appreciate the full significance of trade and the international trade ecosystem as leverage for economic transformation.

“This perhaps is why trade issues have not attracted the level of attention commensurate to their contribution to the economy.

“The trade sector accounts for 16% of our GDP in 2023 which amounts to over N27 trillion.

” But this data reflects largely domestic trade – that is wholesale and retail trade.

“The contribution of international trade and the entire ecosystem is yet to be adequately captured in our GDP data.

“This is what the maritime sector or the blue economy represents.

“I am hoping that as the GDP is rebased, this grave shortcoming in our economic data will be corrected.

“What we have in the NBS data is water transport.

“But the maritime sector or blue economy is beyond just water transportation.

“Water transport for instance contributed a mere N12.6 billion in 2023, which was 0.01% of GDP.

“This certainly cannot be what the maritime sector contributed in the whole of 2023.

” And this has been the trend over the years.

“The maritime sector handles over 95% of our international merchandise trade.

“The value of trade in 2023 was N71.9 trillion in 2023, with import accounting for N36 trillion and export accounting for another N36 trillion.

Stakeholders have therefore tasked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola to go beyond rhetoric but stimulate the sector to enable it to leverage the enormous resources in the industry for maximum growth.

“What impact has the new ministry made barely 11 months after its creation and the resumption of duties by Adegboyega Oyetola as the minister that will justify the pyrrhic award by PEBEC? , a concerned maritime operator queried.

Oyetola was first appointed as the Minister of Transportation on 16th August 2023 but redeployed four days later to head the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

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.