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League of Maritime Editors challenges maritime agencies to position blue Economy as driver of Nigeria’s economic growth 

–– sets bold agenda for maritime institutions 
Gloria Odion 
The League of Maritime Editors, a coalition of senior industry journalists, has announced a bold 2026 growth media agenda designed to accelerate Nigeria’s  Marine and Blue Economy.
With reforms underway and agencies mandated to deliver, the group of seasoned journalists disclosed that it has drawn up plans to spotlight progress, expose bottlenecks, and convene solutions through sustained
coverage and public accountability aimed at supporting the industry’s 2026
growth trajectory.
In a statement signed by the President,  Mrs Remi Itie, Secretary General, Felix Kumuyi, Public Relations Officer,  Francis Ugwoke,  the League noted that Nigeria’s maritime sector has what it takes to become the cornerstone of national GDP, leading critical growth indices in the absence of the oil and gas sector, which has significantly lost ground as the nation’s once-proud economic giant.
 The League emphasized that with the scale of reforms implemented in the past two years and the amplification of key performance indicators, the marine and blue economy must step in to drive and sustain the national growth agenda as is the case in other maritime nations.
 According to the League, existing official statistics on capacity development  programmes and aggregate growth indices, aligned with development blueprints and policy frameworks of the past two years, indicate that 2026 can serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s search for economic stability and sustainable growth.
 As a responsible professional group, the League reaffirmed its commitment to
partnerships that promote value addition through reliable reportage and a
sustainable outlook that guarantees stakeholder confidence, both at home and  overseas.
In light of its social contract as media practitioners, the League expressed
determination to uphold the trust reposed in it, not only by providing accurate reports that support development initiatives, but also by delivering balanced and objective industry analysis capable of driving critical economic growth appraisals
through appropriate fora and dialogue.
The League stressed that the functions and mandates of government agencies in the sector including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN), must be supported to become more responsive
and accountable.
 As stakeholders in the Nigerian project, the League demands proper alignment of policies with measurable actions, the efficiencies of which the media must be
willing to track in a dependable and sustainable manner that promotes
confidence, trust and progress.
The League firmly believes that every government agency in the sector must
commit to making 2026 a year of strategic turnaround for higher yields and economic prosperity.
“It should be a year of productive growth and less rhetoric, a year marked by significant results in cost efficiencies, tangible deliverables, and higher growth margins clearly evident in overall economic performance” the group asserted
Specifically, the League believes that Nigerian Ports Authority must focus on port modernization and green port investments.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is expected to make the National Single Window project operational in real time, visibly driving trade facilitation.
 “NIMASA should prioritize safety, security, and the implementation of IMO conventions.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council must emphasize economic regulation and tariff transparency.
“NIWA should enhance operational safety to reduce boat mishaps and casualties, while advancing dredging, monitoring, and compliance.
“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria must improve training quality and global
relevance, while the media tracks cadet skills development in simulator training,
STCW outcomes, and employer feedback.
“The CRFFN must reinvent its relevance, earn stakeholder trust, and strengthen its core mandate with regards to achieving professional standards and capacity
building.
” Focus should also shift to Forwarders 2.0, with tracking of CPD hours,
certifications, and compliance audits” the Maritime Editors concluded.
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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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