Headlines

Ubong Essien berths Blue Economy Academy to address ‘sea blindness’ in Nigeria

Funso OLOJO

Ubong Essien, the erswhile Media Aide to Dr Bashir Jamoh, the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has unveiled a Blue Economy Academy in Lagos where he hope to develop the knowledge of Nigerians on how to explore the vast potential of the ocean for personal prosperity.

Essien, who is also the Dean of School of Eloquence, hopes to address the widespread ‘sea blindness’ among Nigerians whom he said are ignorant of the abundant opportunities in the maritime industry.

Unveiling the objectives of the specialized institution to the gathering of media practitioners at a Luncheon on Saturday, February,15th, 2025, Ubong declared that he intended to use the Academy as a tool to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’ s blue economy.

Essien, who sought for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the blue economy industry in Nigeria, including the Media, revealed that his vision is to combat the nation’s historical neglect of its maritime opportunities by leveraging education, policy advocacy, and strategic collaboration to unlock the sector’s true potential.

“As a coastal nation, our waters are central to our economic well-being, affecting not just the maritime industry but the entire country,” the Dean of School of Eloquence declaredHe explained that increased knowledge about the maritime domain can unlock new opportunities, helping individuals align their skills with industry demands.

According to him, the academy will offer various training programs, including field visits to coastal states, and some specialized courses will run for up to a month.

Highlighting the knowledge gap in the blue economy potential, Essien declared that the Academy was established to plug the gap and stimulate the interest and knowledge of Nigeria on how to leverage of the opportunities in the blue economy sector to empower themselves.

“In Nigeria, many people remain unaware of the true value of our waters. The economic opportunities they hold are vast, yet largely unrecognized,” he noted.

Essien outlined the academy’s vision of fostering a Nigeria that prospers through its maritime resources. He explained that through strategic training and education, the institution aims to systematically eliminate the lack of awareness surrounding ocean-based industries.

“Through in-depth research, we developed a framework centered on ten thematic areas that will guide our training programs. These ‘ten buckets’ serve as the foundation for understanding and leveraging the blue economy,” he explained.

He also emphasized the need for specialized maritime education, pointing out that apart from Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) initiatives, maritime training in Nigeria remains largely fragmented. Comparing it to systems in the United States, he noted that industry-specific learning is crucial for success.

“Just as we have structured learning at the School of Eloquence to be function-specific, the Blue Economy Academy will adopt the same approach. Industry experts will lead knowledge-sharing sessions, ensuring that learning remains relevant, practical, and capable of influencing policy decisions,” he concluded.

He explained that the launch of the Blue Economy Academy marks a major step toward bridging Nigeria’s maritime knowledge gap, equipping individuals with the expertise needed to unlock the vast economic potential of the nation’s waters.

The Academy aims to address critical challenges in the maritime space through four strategic pillars:

Education – Offering specialized training, masterclasses, and capacity-building programs led by industry experts.

Awareness – Promoting national dialogue on maritime opportunities and fostering engagement.

Advocacy – Influencing policy decisions to support sustainable maritime development.

Engagement – Ensuring long-term stakeholder commitment to implementing policies and initiatives.

Additionally, the Academy is structured around ten key Blue Economy pillars, referred to as the “Ten Blue Economy Buckets”:

Blue Commerce – Enhancing maritime trade and logistics.

Blue Bounty – Maximizing fisheries and aquaculture potential.

Blue Power – Exploring renewable ocean energy solutions.

Blue Cities – Developing sustainable coastal and waterfront cities.

Blue Governance – Strengthening policies and regulatory frameworks.

Blue Nexus – Integrating ocean-related industries for sustainable growth.

Blue Climate – Addressing climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.

Blue Talent – Developing human capital for the maritime sector.

Blue Venture – Promoting maritime entrepreneurship and investment.

Customs

How NPA’ s ETO call- up system hampers seamless export processes at Lilypond Terminal — Customs

Funso OLOJO

The Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, has attributed the persistent delay in export cargo movement at the command to logistics issues associated with the Nigerian Port Authority’s Eto call-up system, rather than any bottlenecks from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Eto call- up system is a structured movement of container- laden trucks into the terminals meant to decongest Port access road and facilitate quick goods clearance at the port.

It was developed by the NPA and driven by a private company.

However, Comptroller Odusanya, speaking at a Roundtable with members of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN),emphasized that while the command has streamlined the export process, lack of available slots for trucks to enter the ports remains a major challenge.

He noted that despite the command’s efforts, numerous containers remain stranded at Lilypond due to the inability of trucks to secure clearance under the Eto system.

He explained that prior to the implementation of a centralized export processing system, multiple customs units across Apapa, Tin Can, PTML, and Lekki ports handled export documentation.

However, in July 2024, the government directed the full centralization of all export processes under the Lilypond Export Command.

This move, driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and backed by agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), was aimed at streamlining operations and reducing multiple checkpoints.

Odusanya revealed that between January and December 2024, the command processed exports valued at approximately $1.9 billion, a figure that could have been higher if the consolidation had occurred earlier in the year.

He added that in February 2025 alone, the command facilitated exports worth $225.1 million.

He attributed these successes to inter-agency collaboration, with Customs working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and quarantine services, among others.

Despite the improved export facilitation, Odusanya acknowledged that challenges persist, particularly with the Eto call-up system, which has created logistical constraints.

He explained that export containers often get delayed at Lilypond not due to customs processes but because of congestion at the ports, caused by import containers awaiting clearance.

He pointed out that while Apapa remains the busiest port for exports, the congestion problem is less severe at Tin Can due to the presence of an export processing terminal.

On the issue of the Nigerian Export Proceeds (NXP) form, Odusanya stated that the command has ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements.

He, however, acknowledged exporters’ concerns about the process and assured that Customs is working to facilitate seamless trade while ensuring adherence to financial regulations.

He urged maritime stakeholders, including the media, to continue sensitizing exporters on the ease of processing export goods through Lilypond, emphasizing that the command operates transparently and does not condone extortion.

He reiterated that officers at the entry points are strictly there to verify processed cargo and not to serve as an additional checkpoint.

Odusanya concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the Lilypond Export Command to supporting Nigeria’s growing export sector, ensuring efficiency in cargo movement, and addressing any emerging challenges in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Economy

Dangote group remits N402.3 billion tax to government coffers in 2024

Gloria Odion

The Pan African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited and its subsidiaries, have disclosed that it paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, declared during a meeting with some senior media executives who visited him in his Lagos Office.

He said Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its subsidiaries, namely, Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited among others, remitted a total of N402.319billion for the out-gone year as taxes as responsible business enterprises.

Recall that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised Dangote group and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The Federal Inland Revenue Service is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chiejina told his visitors that as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries have never shieded away from its obligations either to the government in the form of tax payment at all levels or to host communities in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

According to him, the Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades.

He noted that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.

Dangote Group and its subsidiaries were recognised as number one most compliant in tax payment in the country, just as its subsidiary Dangote Cement, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos as the most active business in the Foreign Exchange market.

Dangote Cement Plc was adjudged as the Largest Commercial Paper Quotation on FMDQ and Single Largest Corporate Debt Issue on FMDQ.

Also, Dangote Industries Ltd also emerged as the “Most active corporate in the foreign exchange market”.

Headlines

NIWA Chairman charges Oyebamiji to phase out wooden boats from Nigeria’s waterways

Funso OLOJO

The newly appointed Chairman of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hon.Musa Sarkin-Adar, has charged the management team of the Authority led by its Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to phase out wooden boats from Nigeria’s waterways.

Musa Sarkin-Adar, who paid a

familiarization visit to the management team of NIWA in its Abuja liaison office, in a bid to minimize boat mishaps on the waterways.

He believed it would be a lasting legacy for the present leadership of NIWA if accidents could be minimized on the Waterways.

The Chairman’s advice is however in alignment with the NIWA’ s resolve to stamp out wooden and rickety boats on waterways.

However, Musa Sarkin-Adar further encouraged the NIWA team to do more in connecting other states in the water transportation.

He emphasized on the need for the involvement of the private sector in the development of water transportation, as government cannot do it alone.

In his response, Oyebamiji expressed appreciation for the visit and encouraging words of the chairman and pledged the commitment of of NIWA management to make the nation’s waterways safe and secure.

Oyebamiji also commended the efforts of his management team in the development of the Inland Waterways

Transportation sub-sector.

According to him, he is blessed with an experienced and dedicated team which he cannot take the glory alone.

The Chairman’s visit was attended by all the management staff of the Authority.