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Nigeria dazzles Dominguez, IMO scribe, with practical demonstration of deep blue assets capabilities.

— fancies its chances at IMO elections 
Funso OLOJO 
With lethal precision and technical accuracy, Nigeria put its multi- million dollars assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, into a stimulated demonstration at the Under water jetty of the Nigerian Navy, Ojo, Lagos.
The demonstration, which took place on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 was  done in the full glare of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola , the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and other security agents who were seated on board of DB Abuja, another special mission vessel of the deep blue project.
In a fast- paced operation, the full compliment of deep blue assets, comprising two special mission helicopters, four fast interceptor boats, and two special mission vessels,were deployed to foil a stimulated pirate attack on DB Lagos, one of the special mission vessels under the deep blue project.
In the stimulation exercise, one of the Deep Blue special mission vessels, DB Lagos, was under pirate attack.
But the fast and timely intervention of the security personnel of the Maritime Security Unit(MSU) of the deep blue project, manning two special mission helicopters and  four fast interceptor boats, neutralize the attack, arrested the pirates, rescued the crew of the attacked vessel and took the injured victims to the hospital, showcasing the aerial capacity of the deep blue assets.
An impressed IMO scribe, Arsenio Dominguez, was blown away by the clinical precision of the anti- piracy capabilities of the deep blue project security personnel.
“I want to start by thanking the government of Nigeria, the Ministry, NIMASA, and particularly the Deep Blue team.
“Because this is one of the most impressive displays that I have seen and experienced”
“And the reality is that we know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
“And I hope and I really encourage the government to sustain this project.
 “Because the results are there. The fact that for the last three years, there has been not a single piracy attack in the national waters of Nigeria just demonstrates the effectiveness.
“And of course this also demonstrates and replicates the fact that commerce will return and come back” the IMO chief declared.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, was no less impressed by the demonstration.
He reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to reclaim the elusive seat in the category C of the IMO.
The Minister promised to go back to the Headquarters of the IMO in London to intensify the campaign and lobby to ensure that Nigeria is elected into the council.
“I want to say that the Deep Blue project is a multi- layered security architecture, that has earned Nigeria a zero piracy for the past three years.
“And it’s not enough for us to say so. It’s important for people, particularly the Secretary General, to witness the demonstration.  It’s not a fluke, it’s a reality.
“And I must commend the various agencies, the security agencies particularly, for the collaboration.
 “That means with teamwork, there’s nothing you cannot achieve. We will try to sustain it.
“It’s tough in terms of funding. But the federal government is determined to ensure that there’s no piracy in the waters.
“That’s part of what will allow us to harness the potential of the economy.
“I must commend all the people that are involved, the CEO of the management team, all the various agencies that have contributed in getting this thing to this stage.
 “I’m proud of the fact that the SG is able to look at this. I’ll come back to the UK to be able to convince them that Nigeria deserves to be a member of the Council of IMO.
“
We’re looking at being part of the Council from November this year. But the ultimate, like I mentioned to you yesterday,  is for us to get to the UK” Oyetola enthused.
However, Dominguez was non- committal to the title race of Nigeria at the IMO.
“The International Maritime Organisation works with 176 member states.
“And I encourage Nigeria to continue their campaign for the election into the IMO Council.
” They have been there before. They know that they are doing very good work.
“And I wish them a lot of success in the elections” he declared in a detached voice.
Late former President Muhammadu Buhari, performed the official launch of assets under the deep blue project on Thursday, June 10th,2021 in Lagos.
The  Deep Blue Project, which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Federal Ministry of Defence, is being implemented by NIMASA.
The main objective of the Deep Blue Project is to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.

The Project has three categories of platforms to tackle maritime security on land, sea, and air.

The land assets include the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) for intelligence gathering and data collection; 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit.

The sea assets include two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats. The air assets comprise two Special Mission Aircraft for surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); three Special Mission Helicopters for search and rescue operations; and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The Deep Blue Project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa with the aim of tackling the incidences of piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea.

The Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the Deep Blue Project, comprises personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, and Department of State Services.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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