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NIMASA, Police forge strategic alliance to curb maritime crime, enhance security at ports 

Funso OLOJO 
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has agreed to form a strategic alliance with the Nigeria Police in a bid to curb maritime crimes and enhance security at the port.
The collaboration was consumated during the courtesy visit of a high powered delegation of Maritime Police led by Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime, AIG Chinedu Oko and the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Toyin Agbaminoja, to the Director -General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola,in his office on 17th November, 2025.
The visit formed part of ongoing collaborative engagements aimed at strengthening maritime security architecture, enhancing port efficiency, and improving inter-agency cooperation within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In his remarks, AIG Chinedu Oko emphasized the strategic importance of a unified security framework in safeguarding Nigeria’s coastal waters, port facilities, and critical maritime assets.
He commended NIMASA for its continuous efforts in maritime safety regulation, capacity development, and the Deep Blue Project, noting that sustainable cooperation between law enforcement and maritime regulators remains essential for safe and efficient maritime operations.
CP Toyin Agbaminoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command to providing robust security support across the nation’s port corridors including Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, and the Command’s marine unit responsible for patrols up to 12 nautical miles from the ports.
She expressed readiness to deepen operational synergy with NIMASA to curb maritime crimes, facilitate trade, and guarantee the security of vessels, cargo, and port users.
The Director General of NIMASA welcomed the delegation and highlighted the Agency’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force in the areas of intelligence sharing, joint operations, capacity building, and maritime domain awareness.
He stressed that efficient maritime security is fundamental to Nigeria’s economic stability, port competitiveness, and global reputation.
The visit concluded with both parties agreeing on the need for continuous engagement, operational synchronization, and strategic partnerships to bolster national maritime security and enhance service delivery across the maritime sector.
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Customs

AfCFTA  adopts Nigeria as pilot country for STR, engages Customs on modalities for simplified trade

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
‎The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on March 23rd, 2026 held a strategic meeting with a delegation from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
The engagement focused on advancing the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) to support small-scale cross-border trade.
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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan.
She reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to making trade easier and more transparent,particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through simplified customs procedures.
‎She noted that the Service aims to promote inclusive trade while ensuring compliance with both national and regional regulations.
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‎Speaking during the meeting, the leader of the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao, highlighted Nigeria’s role as the pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime in West Africa.
He added that Nigeria’s large market position places it in a strong position to drive regional trade and economic growth.
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‎During the session, the NCS presented its draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementing the STR.
The draft outlines simplified processes for informal cross-border trade, passenger baggage, and low-value e-commerce transactions.
 These processes are supported by digital declaration systems and risk-based controls.
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‎A consultant to the AfCFTA Secretariat, Nabil Zibani, also presented the proposed continental STR framework.
 He stressed the need for simple and accessible systems that will enable MSMEs to comply with customs procedures and participate more actively in regional trade.
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‎Discussions identified key areas of alignment between the NCS draft SOP and the AfCFTA framework.
These include simplified documentation, use of digital platforms for declarations, adoption of thresholds for low-value goods, and promotion of inclusive trade, especially for women and small businesses.
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‎Both parties agreed to continue technical engagements to refine implementation strategies, address possible challenges, and ensure proper alignment between national and continental frameworks.
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‎The meeting marks an important step in positioning Nigeria as a pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime under AfCFTA, while reinforcing the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to facilitating trade, strengthening regional integration, and supporting inclusive economic growth.
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Headlines

FG reiterates commitment to efficient trade facilitation at ports as it unveils National single window platform 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Federal Government on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, has expressed its commitment to fast, efficient and seamless cargo clearance process at the ports with the unveiling the National single window platform.
Speaking at a media briefing, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the launch as a major milestone under the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that previous attempts at implementing a single window system had not succeeded.
He said the initiative represents a shift from fragmented and inefficient trade processes to a more coordinated and technology-driven system.
According to him, the platform is designed to reduce the time and cost associated with import and export transactions, while improving transparency and overall efficiency in the system.
“This is a defining moment,” Edun said. “We are moving from complexity to clarity, from fragmentation to coordination, and from delay to efficiency.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the National Single Window would allow traders to submit all required documentation through a single portal, eliminating the need to deal with multiple government agencies.
She noted that the new system would simplify trade procedures, reduce duplication of documentation, and enhance investor confidence.
“In simple terms, it is one portal, one submission, one coordinated process,” she said, adding that the reform would position Nigeria more competitively in regional and global trade.
Providing details on implementation, the National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, said the platform would go live on March 27, 2026.
He explained that the first phase of the rollout would cover the processing of import licences, permits, and certificates for key regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC and SON, through the single platform.
Fakolade added that a pilot phase for cargo manifest submissions would commence with selected shipping lines and air cargo operators, with full integration expected by May 1, 2026.
He further disclosed that the system incorporates a risk management framework that enables regulatory agencies to assess importers based on compliance history, a move expected to reduce physical inspections and speed up cargo clearance for compliant traders.
In addition, all payments related to import processes under the platform would be handled digitally, further enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Edun, however, stressed that the success of the initiative would depend not only on the digital platform but also on improvements in physical infrastructure, particularly at the nation’s ports.
He noted that ongoing efforts to modernise major ports were critical to addressing congestion and ensuring that the benefits of the reform are fully realised.
“A digital platform alone does not move goods,” he said, warning that inefficiencies in port operations could undermine expected gains.
The government said the National Single Window forms part of a broader strategy to achieve sustainable economic growth, with a medium-term target of seven per cent annually, driven in part by improved trade facilitation.
Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, commended the collaboration among government agencies and private sector stakeholders that made the project possible.
Stakeholders at the briefing were urged to adopt the platform and work collectively to ensure its success, as officials disclosed plans to expand the system to cover export processes and integrate more agencies in subsequent phases.
The National Single Window is expected to significantly reduce trade delays, lower transaction costs, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
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Headlines

Shipping coys comply with directive of Shippers’ Council on controversial tariff hike, revert to status quo 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
Despite the intransigence of the irate freight forwarders to shealth their swords over the tariff hike after the intervention of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Shipping companies operating in Nigeria may have commenced the process of compliance with the order of the regulatory agency to stop the implementation of the disputed tariff increase.
It would be recalled that the NSC has approved an upward review in shipping charges based on what it said was predicated on the exigency of time.
However, the tariff hike was resisted by the freight forwarders who shut down the operations of the shipping companies by picketing their offices.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council later waded into the crisis by directing the shipping companies, especially the MSC, to immediately suspend the implementation of the tariff hike.
In its terse statement on March 20th, 2026, the regulatory agency said the suspension of the controversial tariff increase became necessary in order to conclude engagement with relevant stakeholders and in response to substantive concerns raised regarding the timing, structure, and potential impact of the said tariffs on port users and the wider logistics value chain.
In deference to the order of the Council, the MSC, one of the shipping companies in the country, has said it has complied with the directive, saying it has reverted to the old tariff structure.
In the memo which the management of the shipping company sent to all its customers, it said the decision to maintain the status quo was in line with the directive of the NSC.
“We wish to inform our esteemed customers that the recently implemented tariff adjustment has been temporarily suspended, following a directive from the Nigerian Shippers council NSC.
“This suspension is pending the conclusion of ongoing engagements and resolution with the regulator.
“Accordingly,the tariff regime applicable prior to the recent increase will remain in force until further notice, as mandated.
“We remain fully committed to regulatory compliance,transparency, and protecting the interests of our customers.
“Further updates will be communicated promptly once a definitive position is issued by the Nigerian Shippers council.
“We appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation” the MSC management declared in a terse statement.
However, concerned industry stakeholders have expressed dismay over what they described as the intransigence of the irate freight forwarders who were said to have persisted in what was regarded as their disruptive activities of shipping operations despite the intervention of the NSC and the compliance of the shipping companies to the directive of the regulatory agency.
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