Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter 

President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, and President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani, have called for a stronger and more professional maritime media and greater representation of women in leadership and decision-making positions across Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

The two industry leaders made the call at the 4th Annual Maritime Lecture of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), where they stressed that credible journalism and inclusive leadership were critical to ensuring accountability, transparency and sustainable growth in the maritime industry.

Represented at the event by Mrs Oyeyemi Jimi-Salami, Anishere said an informed, independent and professionally grounded maritime press was indispensable to the development of the sector, particularly as Nigeria intensifies efforts to unlock the economic opportunities inherent in the Blue Economy.

She commended MARAN for its sustained engagement with critical maritime issues and what she described as its commitment to responsible reportage.

According to her, the association’s annual lecture had become an important platform for industry stakeholders to interrogate emerging challenges, exchange ideas and seek practical solutions to the problems confronting the maritime sector.

Anishere noted that although sound policies, effective regulation and infrastructure investment were essential to maritime development, these could not deliver the desired results without a knowledgeable media capable of educating the public, scrutinising government policies, promoting transparency and demanding accountability from industry players.

She urged MARAN to continue using its platform to promote professionalism, innovation, accountability and sustainable development in the maritime industry.

“Journalism remains a key pillar of a vibrant maritime sector because it strengthens public confidence, supports informed decision-making and ensures that critical industry issues receive the attention they deserve,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ani called for a fundamental shift in the approach to women’s participation in the maritime industry, arguing that it was no longer sufficient merely to promote inclusion without creating clear pathways for women to attain leadership and decision-making positions.

She said WISTA Nigeria would continue to expand its mentorship, networking, advocacy and leadership development programmes to equip women with the skills, experience and opportunities required to advance in the sector.

Ani challenged government agencies, private-sector operators and other maritime stakeholders to go beyond rhetoric by recruiting, retaining, promoting and sponsoring qualified women, while adopting inclusive workplace policies and setting measurable targets for gender diversity.

She also called for concerted action against discrimination, unequal access to opportunities and unsafe workplace practices which, she said, continued to impede the advancement of women in the maritime industry.

The WISTA Nigeria president further urged male professionals and industry leaders to become active allies in promoting gender equality by mentoring, sponsoring and advocating for women in their organisations.

Ani stressed that women should not be regarded as mere participants in Nigeria’s maritime development but as critical drivers of innovation, leadership and sustainable economic growth.

She argued that providing women with equal opportunities to lead and contribute would not only advance fairness but also strengthen Nigeria’s ability to fully harness the enormous economic potential of its maritime and blue economy.

The speakers’ interventions at the MARAN lecture underscored the growing recognition that Nigeria’s maritime transformation requires not only infrastructure, policy and investment, but also a credible media that can hold the industry to account and a leadership structure that draws fully on the talents of both men and women.

Monday Discourse with Ibrahim Nasiru

The latest operational data from Nigeria’s maritime sector shows a significant shift in trade capacity that deserves close attention.

In a period where national economic discourse is heavily focused on foreign exchange stability and trade balance, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recently released its operational performance report for the second quarter of 2026.

The figures indicate clear, measurable progress across our major shipping channels.

Under the current management led by Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, total cargo throughput at the nation’s seaports grew by 12.3% year-on-year, moving from 31.83 million metric tonnes in the second quarter of 2025 to 35.74 million metric tonnes in Q2 2026.

This growth was closely supported by a 14.4% increase in ocean-going vessel traffic, which recorded 1,201 vessel calls during the three months under review.

These statistics are notable because they reflect actual operational changes rather than mere administrative adjustments.

For decades, Nigerian Ports were held back by slow container clearing times, heavy bureaucratic red tape, and severe traffic congestion around the Lagos Ports.

The current upward trend shows that the ongoing efforts toward Port modernization, including the digital integration of the National Single Window system, are beginning to show results on the ground.

By reducing physical bottlenecks and shortening the time cargo spends at the berths, terminal operations are becoming more reliable for international shipping lines and domestic businesses alike.

A highly encouraging aspect of the Q2 2026 data is the 22% increase recorded in export-related outward cargo.

For an economy that urgently needs to diversify away from absolute reliance on crude oil revenues, this rise in export volumes shows that the policy of establishing dedicated export terminals is functioning as intended.

Local manufacturing concerns, agricultural aggregators, and non-oil exporters are finding it relatively easier to move their goods out to global markets.

Additionally, the emergence of transshipment container traffic—which grew to 29,038 TEUs this quarter from zero in the same period last year—proves that Nigeria is regaining its position as a major logistics transit hub for the West African sub-region.

However, the report also highlights a persistent structural reality that economic planners must continue to address.

Out of the 35.74 million metric tonnes of cargo handled, inward cargo or imports still accounted for the larger share at 56.8%, while outward cargo stood at 41.9%.

While the gap is closing due to the 22% export growth, it reminds us that maritime efficiency must be backed by a strong domestic production base.

The Ports can only serve as efficient gateways; the real value lies in ensuring that what leaves our shores consists of processed, value-added Nigerian goods rather than just raw agricultural products or unrefined solid minerals.

The second-quarter performance numbers show that the maritime sector is currently serving as a stable and productive engine for the nation’s broader economic goals.

It demonstrates that clear policy direction and disciplined institutional management can stabilize critical national infrastructure even during periods of global trade volatility.

As the NPA works to sustain this momentum through the rest of the year, the priority must remain on full automation, eliminating unreceipted costs at the Ports, and strengthening rail connectivity to the hinterland.

By locking in these operational gains, Nigeria is steadily turning its maritime gateways into solid pillars of long-term commercial prosperity.

Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja 

Says removal will cut shipping costs, improve turnaround time, boost Nigeria-US trade

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The United States Government has congratulated Nigeria on the lifting of the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels calling at American ports from Nigeria, describing the development as a major dividend of the country’s sustained maritime security reforms.

Washington said the removal of the restriction would deliver tangible economic benefits to shipping operators by reducing security-related requirements and associated costs, while improving vessel turnaround times and schedule reliability on the Nigeria-United States trade route.

The commendation was contained in a letter dated August 26, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank W. Garcia Jr.

The letter represents a fresh endorsement by the United States of Nigeria’s progress in maritime security and anti-terrorism compliance, following the United States Coast Guard’s decision in August to remove the long-standing security restriction.

Garcia described the milestone as evidence of Nigeria’s “sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance”, while expressing Washington’s readiness to deepen maritime and economic cooperation with Nigeria.

He said the lifting of the CoE would eliminate some of the additional security burdens that had been imposed on vessels trading between the two countries.

The U.S. diplomat stated: “Please allow me to join you in welcoming the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to lift the 12-year security restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports.

“This achievement reflects Nigeria’s sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance.

“We are pleased that this milestone will reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between our two countries. It will also improve turnaround times and schedule reliability.

“The United States values its maritime and economic partnerships with Nigeria and looks forward to continued collaboration promoting secure, efficient, and mutually beneficial trade between our nations.”

Garcia also acknowledged the years-long collaboration between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, particularly Nigeria’s efforts to address security concerns in the maritime domain.

“We appreciate the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s years-long collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and its continued commitment to addressing the current high threat environment.

“Please accept my sincere congratulations on this significant accomplishment,” he added.

Reacting to the development, Oyetola attributed the milestone to the strategic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration’s decision to place the marine and blue economy at the centre of its economic transformation agenda.

The Minister described the lifting of the CoE as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s maritime industry and a clear affirmation of the progress recorded in maritime security, port protection and international compliance.

He said the development also demonstrated the importance of sustained engagement between Nigeria and international maritime partners in addressing security and operational challenges affecting the country’s shipping industry.

NIMASA, according to the Minister, played a pivotal role in the prolonged engagement with the U.S. Coast Guard that ultimately resulted in the removal of the restriction.

Oyetola said the development would strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and potentially make the Nigeria-U.S. shipping corridor more attractive to international operators.

“With the Condition of Entry now removed, Nigerian ports are better positioned to compete for international shipping business, while shipping lines operating between Nigeria and the United States stand to benefit from lower security-related costs, fewer procedural burdens, improved turnaround times and greater schedule reliability,” he said.

The lifting of the restriction is expected to have implications beyond maritime security, particularly for the cost and efficiency of Nigeria’s international trade.

For shipping operators, the removal of additional security requirements could reduce operational expenses, while improved schedule reliability could enhance the predictability of cargo movement between Nigerian and American ports.

The development also strengthens Nigeria’s standing in the international maritime community, coming after years of efforts by the government and its maritime agencies to address security concerns and meet international port-security standards.