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At Port News Summit, stakeholders decry dominance of foreigners in shipping, logistics business 

–blame government policies for not protecting interests of indigenous operators 

Funso OLOJO 
Stakeholders in the maritime industry have condemned in strong terms the marginalization of indigenous operators in the shipping and logistics business.
They lamented the continued dominance of foreigners which they claimed was aided by government policies that give them unrestricted access into the industry to the detriment of the locals.
Setting the tone for discussion at the summit, held in Lagos on November 4th, 2024 , the convener of the seminar, Prince Wale Oni, the Publisher of Port News, lamented that indigenous operators in the maritime industry have been consigned to the background at the post -concession period where indigenous operators have become onlookers in their own economy.
With a voice visibly subsumed by emotion, Oni claimed Port concession programme has been more of a curse to indigenous operators than a blessing because the foreigners have come to take away their jobs.
“Has the port concession not impoverished Nigerian freight forwarders and terminal operators?
” Why have the terminal operators and foreigners seemingly ganged up against Nigerian bonded terminal operators by denying them container transfers?
“Nigerian operators have lost the plot,  they are mere onlookers” the Port News publisher lamented.
Dr Muda Yusuf, the Managing Director, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, who presented the lead paper, corroborated the position of Prince Wale Oni and bemoaned that Nigerians are losing all in the port concession arrangement.
He believed there is a need to step up advocacy to reverse the trend.
Dr Yusuf blamed government policies which he said give unresisted access to foreigners into the maritime industry where he said they have taken over the entire value chain from shipping, terminal operations and freight and logistics business.
The former Director -General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries believed that government should be intentional about reversing the trend by coming up with policies that will protect and promote indigenous participation in the industry.
He advocated for what he described as economic nationalism where government will give more opportunities and patronage to empower indigenous operators.
” In the United States of America(USA), what makes Donald Trump get electoria victory for the second time was his promise to put America and Americans first.
” In most developed countries of the world, government practise what I called economic nationalism where they put their people first above foreigners”
Dr Yusuf however lamented that the reverse was the case in Nigeria where foreigners call the shots.
He dismissed the long- worn out narrative that what gave rise to foreign dominance in the sector was due to lack of capacity of indigenous operators.
According to him, it is the opportunities and patronage by government that will empower local people and give them capacity.
” If government did not patronise and support Dangote, would be have capacity for what he is doing now” he inquired.
Yusuf further stated that where the indigenous operators have capacity, such areas should be preserved for them while foreigners could be encouraged to go into where the locals lack capacity.
He said in as much as Nigeria seeks for foreign investors, government should not do that at the expense of the indigenous people.
The economist therefore urged the government to restructure its policies which he said have failed the indigenous people and propagate those ones that will protect their interests.
He called for the review of Nigerian Investments  Promotion Commission Act (NIPC) which he said gives unrestricted access to foreigners.
He also wanted replication of local contents laws in the oil and gas sector in the maritime industry.
According to him, the laws have had a positive impart on indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
Members of the panel of discussion, moderated by Mr Funso OLOJO, the Publisher of theeyewitness news, also lent their voices against the marginalization of indigenous operators in the maritime industry.
The panel of discussants  included Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) and Nigeria National People’s Party(NNPP), Captain Kunle Olayiwola, a former Director in Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and Alhaji Haruna Omolajomo, a bonded terminal operator.
The panelists observed that there was no unity among the indigenous operators who undermine their individual efforts to get advantage over one another.
They believed that this lack of unity did not allow them to forge a common front to fight for their economic emancipation and freedom from foreigners.
The panelists also believed that the foreign operators are in the country to do business and will not cede an inch of their dominance to the indigenous operators if the locals do not unite and present a common front to gain back their lost business opportunities.
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Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the need to assent to the Nigerian Shipping and Ports Economic Regulatory Agency(NSPERA) bill

By Elder Asu Beks

Mr President,on behalf of the  Maritime Elders Forum and  entire maritime stakeholders, i respectfully send you  season’s greetings.
There is no doubt, Mr President, that 2025 has been one of the most turbulent and challenging years in the history of our nation.
 From the wave of insecurity ,which you have tackled squarely,to the far reaching  economic reforms  which has translated to the tax reform bills , are all  pointers to the fact that you are taking the challenges head on.
Mr President , your modest achievements in the Oil and Gas sector are also there for all to see.
From the bold decision to abolish fuel subsidy to the increase in daily production levels to an average 1.8m bpd ,from about 1mbpd daily output as at May ,2023, and the complete disapperance of fuel queues, it is certain, Mr President, that you are building a legacy of renewed hope, unprecedented in the life of our nation.
 We cannot thank you enough, Mr President.
 For us in the maritime sector, the most profound of your score card remains  the creation of a specialised Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The demand for a Ministry to oversee Nigeria’s vast  maritime domain is as old as Nigeria’s Independence.
For us as critical stakeholders, this couldnt have come at a better time.
 In just two years of the creation of this specialised Ministry, Nigerians are already reaping bountifully from this innovative move.
Only last month,Nigeria won an election into the elusive category ” C” of the International Maritime Organisation, (IMO).
This victory  is coming after  nine unsuccessful  attempts, spanning 14 years.
With this victory , which couldn’t have been posible without  your fatherly role,our fortunes as one of the greatest maritime nations in sub saharan Africa  has  been solidified.
 Mr President, another milestone recorded under your watch ,since the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is the introduction of the game changing National Single Window platform which comes into effect  in the first  quarter of 2026.
The National Single Window is a trade facilitation tool designed  to eliminate multiple entries by various regulatory bodies in business transactions in our seaports.
In other words, it is a digitalized platform that allows importers and exporters to submit all necessary documents, permits , and data to multiple government agencies through a single entry point.
Mr President, with these developments, you have etched your name as “the President who saw  tomorrow” by demonstrating in concrete terms, the enormous  potentials which this sector holds as your administration continues to look at a Nigeria beyond oil.
In this regard, Mr President ,we the  Maritime Elders Forum urge you ,without delay  to  sign into law, the Nigerian Shipping and Port Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill .
The NPERA Bill aims to transform the Nigerian Shippers Council, (NSC) into a powerful, independent economic regulator for Nigeria’s Ports,creating a strong  frame work for tariffs,fair competition and efficiency after port concession.
The Bill, a brain child of  Dr Tajudeen Abass, Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, is  aimed  to fill the vacuum created by an absence of  a  regulatory  agency in such a critical sector of our national economy ,as against other sectors such as  banking, petroleum , energy and  communication.
This critical Bill seeks to repeal the old Nigerian Shippers Council Act and empower the Council to manage port economic activities, boosting the Blue Economy.
Mr President, the laudable objectives of this Bill include;establishing an independent  regulation to create a strong legally backed economic regulator for our ports; Control tariffs, charges and regulate port charges  in such a manner as to prevent arbitrariness  and ensure fairness; to promote fair competition by improving overall port operations and attract investment; Support the Blue Economy to align with our national goals for developing Nigeria’s Marine Economy.
 Your Excellency Sir, this Bill was given an accelerated hearing ,and was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly on April 10, 2025 upon which it was forwarded to you for assent.
 Mr President sir, the delay or your failure to assent to this  Bill is coming at huge cost and has resulted in significant economic losses for Nigeria, primarily by perpetuating an unregulated and inefficient port system that has led to huge financial leakages that deter investment.
 Mr President, sir, it is estimated that the nation is losing billions of dollars dailly to the absence of a strong legal frame work for port economic regulation.
We have on good authority, Mr President, that this obvious lack or absence of a regulated ports industry is also taking a huge toll on local and foreign investments as an estimated $250b is said to be lost annually, aside arbitrary charges by terminal operators and Shipping Lines .
 In a nutshell, Mr President, the envisaged benefits of this brand new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has been eroded on account of the absence of a legal regulatory frame work.
As it stands, sir ,a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy without an Economic Regulator is akin to a football game without a referee.
it means anything goes and the out come of a game without an official umpire could be better imagined.
 Mr President sir, consequently ,the time to sign the NPERA Bill is now.
Thank you Mr President for listening to this passionate appeal.
 Let this be your new year present to Maritime Stakeholders.
ELDER ASU BEKS, CONVENER, MARITIME ELDERS FORUM, LAGOS
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Tantita intercepts stolen crude on escort of  Delta Marine Police, arrests four suspects 

Funso OLOJO 
Tantita Security Services Limited, a pipeline surveillance operations company, has intercepted a tanker vessel, MT Thor, laden with suspected stolen crude oil.
The interception, which occurred on December 15th, 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, happened while the vessel was allegedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident and are currently facing investigation for possible prosecution.
The arrest was announced during the handover of the suspects at Koko Port in Delta State by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations.
Speaking at the handover of the vessel and the suspects at Koko Port, Delta state, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
According to a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited.
Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko.
The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day.
 As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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Mobereola, NIMASA DG, reflects on year 2025 with satisfaction, says 2026 holds promising opportunities for maritime industry 

Funso OLOJO
The Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed his satisfaction over the achievements recorded in the maritime industry in the outgoing year of 2025, while looking forward to a promising 2026 with hope.
In his Christmas message to the stakeholders in the maritime industry, Dr Mobereola noted that the 2026 ended well with the election of Nigeria into the category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years of failed attempts as well as zero occurrence of piracy attacks on Nigeria’ waters.
“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry as once again, we have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year, Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu ,we have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector all of which culminated to Nigeria’s election into the category C Council of the International Maritime Organization.
“We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you and we felicitate with your during this yuletide season”Mobereola observed.
He however assured that the Agency will re-double efforts in ensuring that 2026 is even better for every stakeholder.
While calling on industry operators to brace up for the new year with hope of better times, Dr. Mobereola noted that “at NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council because to whom much is given, much is definitely expected.

” You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour.”

The DG concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, industry stakeholders, management and staff of NIMASA as well as all Nigerians and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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