Headlines

The Minister’s men: How Oyetola ‘recommended’ appointments of his political allies into strategic maritime agencies

Investigation by Eyewitness roving reporters

An investigation has shown that Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, utilised his maximum power as the supervising Minister in the maritime sector to recommend, albeit influenced, the appointments of his political allies to strategic positions in some of the critical agencies in the industry.

Some of the agencies in the sector which the Minister superintendent over include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’Council(NSC), National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), and Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron.

Oyetola, the pioneer Minister of the newly created ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the civil service rules and guidelines on appointments, has the power, just like all Ministers, to recommend to the President, appointees into these agencies under his ministry.

He was first appointed Minister of Transportation by President Bola Ahmeed Tinubu on 16th, August 2023, but was redeployed four days later to the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

However, using his power of “recommendation”, Adegboyega brought his political allies of Osun state politics into strategic positions in NIMASA, NPA and NIWA.

As the immediate past Governor of Osun State from 2018 to 2022, the Minister recommended a few trusted allies who have either worked with him as the governor or affiliates of his political godfathers.

Our roving reporter gathered that Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taye Adeyemi, Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA, and Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of NIWA, were a few of the political affiliates of Oyetola who were appointed on the ” strong recommendation” of the Minister.

Bola Munitudeen Oyebamiji, MD NIWA: He is an experienced banker of more than 28 years.
Oyebamiji served as a two-term commissioner for Finance during the tenure of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola as former governors of Osun State.

According to the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the appointment of Alhaji Oyebamiji was on the recommendation of Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Gboyega Oyetola.It could be recalled that the appointments of both Alhaji Oyebamiji as the MD of NIWA and Barrister Akutah Ukeyima, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’Council, were announced in October 2023 on the recommendation of the Minister.

Chief Ngelale said of the two appointments “Both appointments, which domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, were on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola”

All other appointments in the agencies followed a similar pattern of recommendation by the Minister.

Engr. Olalekan Badmus, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA: He was appointed as Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola in January 2024 alongside five other Executive Directors in NPA and NIMASA.

He was the immediate past commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties in Osun state between 2019 and 2022 during the tenure of Adegboyega Oyetola as governor.

His efforts also gave him further responsibilities like the Honourable Commissioner supervising the ministries of Culture and Tourism as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs between June 2022 and November 2022.Engr.Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA: The NIMASA Executive Director, Operations had managed the mechanical departments of both Osun and Oyo State water Corporations at different times.

He was the Engineer in charge of Ede Water Works, Osun State Water Corporation from 1991-1992, and area Mechanical Engineer, Oyo State Water Corporation from 1989-1991.

He was also a former Local government chairman under Oyetola’s administration as former Osun state governor.Dr. Dayo Mobereola, NIMASA DG: The political affliction of Dr. Mobereola to the Minister is far-fetched because he had his public service appointments in Lagos state before his current appointment.

However, he was said to be an Osun state indigene with alleged strong political affiliation to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun state, under whom Adegboyega Oyetola served as Chief of Staff.Insider sources told our roving reporter that there may still be more of such “recommendations” when appointments into the boards of these agencies; NPA, NIMASA, NIWA, Shippers’ Council and MAN, Oron are made in the nearest future.

It could be recalled that, on June 19th, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and the Public interest.

Curiously however, it was only the NPA that has a Chairman of the Board, without board members, among all the agencies and government parastatals whose boards were dissolved in June 2023.

It could be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on July 12th, 2024, approved the appointment of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as the Board Chairman of the NPA, the same day Dr. Abubarkar Dantsoho was appointed the new Managing Director of the agency.

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.