Headlines

Concerns mount over possible resurgence of boat mishaps on Nigeria’ s waterways

–– as campaign posters of NIWA MD, Oyebamiji ,surface in Osun state

— stakeholders push for his resignation

Funso OLOJO

Concerned stakeholders in the maritime industry have asked the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji,to tender his letter of resignation forthwith following his intention to run for the governorship elections in Osun state.

Their call came amidst speculations that Oyebamiji has entered into Osun politics to contest for the number one seat in the state.

These speculations gained traction when the campaign posters of NIWA boss emerged in the skyline of all the 30 local government areas of the state.

Even though, Oyebamiji has not made any official statement to confirm his participation in the coming governorship elections in Osun state, stakeholders believed that his posters have confirmed his intention.

As a result of this development, the stakeholders raised concerns over the duties of Oyebamiji which they said will suffer neglect as the MD of NIWA.

” He has the right as eligible Nigerian to vie for any political office of his choice but what he doesn’t have the right to do is to combine it with another critical position as the MD of NIWA.

” His duties as the helmsman of NIWA will suffer because politics demands full concentration.

” And you cannot serve two masters at a time.

” In a saner society, he should have resigned his position as the MD of NIWA” a cross section of maritime stakeholders chorused.

It was alleged that the foray of Oyebamiji into Osun politics has the full backing of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who is the political godfather to NIWA MD.

The source whispered to our reporter that Oyetola had once had the ambition to go back to complete his second term in office as the former governor of Osun state after he was defeated by the current governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke in 2022.

” But due to superior arguments bothering on his age and the need to concentrate on nurturing the young ministry of Marine and Blue economy into maturity, a ministry close to the heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyetola was prevailed upon to shelf his political ambition.” the source claimed.

” Instead, he tapped Oyebamiji, his close ally and protege, to throw his hat into the ring and contest for the 2026 Osun governorship elections” the source further disclosed.

It could be recalled that Oyebamiji was a two – term commissioner of Finance under the former governor Rauf Aregbesola and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, the current Minister of Marine and Blue economy.

However, stakeholders believed that the political ambition of Oyebamiji will affect his job at NIWA, especially during these critical times when government is trying to curb the incessant boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways.

” This is the time Oyebamiji should not be distracted from his fantastic job he is doing at NIWA.

“Since his appointment in 2023 as the MD of NIWA, there has been an appreciable level of sanity on the waterways due to his reforms , dedication and commitment to safe lives on our waters.

” The level of incidents of boat accidents have reduced while there is high level of awareness on the part of users and operators on the waterways to be compliant with safety rules.

” Unfortunately, all these gains will be filtered away on the altar of his political ambition.

” Tell me how he is going to combine the two rigours political exercise and tedious assignment of ridding our waterways of deaths?

“Definitely,one will be affected and to me his assignment at NIWA will most likely suffer because politics in Nigeria is a full time job, not a part -time as the NIWA MD wants us to believe.

” For me, his foray into Osun politics is a distraction to his assignment as NIWA MD and the earlier he resigns his appointment as NIWA MD, the better so that he can give full concentration on how to capture Osun governorship seat in 2026″ a concerned stakeholder who pleaded for anonymity declared.

The sources further claimed that the effect of political ambition of Oyebamiji on his assignment at NIWA has stated to manifest as, according to them, he is now less visible.

” In recent times, it was the Minister of Marine and Blue economy who was carrying out some of the official functions of NIWA MD.

” In April 29th, 2025, it was the minister who led the roll out initiative of life jackets in Minna, Niger state.

” Similarly, it was the minister who led the same exercise in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state in May 2nd, 2025″ another source pointed out.

It could be recalled that as part of the efforts of the federal government to curb the disturbing rising trend of waterways accidents which have claimed so many lives, the Minister of Marine and Blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, inaugurated a ministerial committee charged with providing solutions to the menace.

In addition, the Federal government initiated a roll out of life jackets to the 12 coaster states and riverine areas in the country.

At one of such exercises, Oyetola distributed 3500 life jackets to boats operators at Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, in the presence of Oyebamiji.

However, the concerns of stakeholders are that who will give direction and leadership to the execution of all these laudable programmes meant to safe lives on the nation’s waterways when Oyebamiji is busy vying for the highest office in Osun state.

The stakeholders noted that the minister would not be always available to participate in all these programmes, given his schedules with other agencies in the maritime industry.

Headlines

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

Headlines

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.

Headlines

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.