Headlines

NSW committee seeks NSC intervention over duty waivers for importers

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Single Window(NSW) committee has sought the help of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) to prevail on terminals operators and shipping companies over the need to grant waivers on goods caught in the migration to the Single Window platform.

At the stakeholders engagement held on Friday, April 10th, 2026, at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council headquarters, Apapa, Lagos, the NSW committee members said there was need to address demurrage and detention charges that have accumulated on cargoes caught in the transition from legacy systems operated by SON and NAFDAC to the new single window platform.

Speaking at the engagement, the Chairman of Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zach Adedeji, explained the purpose of the dialogue.

“The essence of today’s meeting is to appeal to all that are concerned, especially terminal operators and shipping companies.

” There are some Single Window-induced demurrages as a result of migration from SON, NAFDAC, and that has led to cargoes being delayed and causing a glitch.

“I was told that you have rendered this type of help in the past, so while we are passing through this initial stage of stabilising the system, we want to know what kind of help we can receive from you, most especially for the importers, and this is our asking.

” This is why we appealed to our Executive Secretary to look at it, without compromising any private enterprise laws, what can we do to provide succour for the port users.”

He added: “Everywhere in the world when something that is not part of business happens, there has to be an agreement with the government.

” For example, with what is happening in Iran today, can any shipping company say they want to continue charging on container?”

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Adedeji said the outcome was encouraging, noting that terminal operators had pledged to review cases on an individual basis.

He said they confirmed having internal processes for granting discounts and waivers for delays genuinely traceable to the single window migration.

The NRS chairman was emphatic that the government’s drive was not revenue-focused.

“Like I told you, anytime people see me, they relate it to tax. If you see Mr. President, honestly our focus has never been on revenue. Our focus is on shared prosperity of Nigeria. If people prosper, we all prosper.”

He also warned that those benefiting from the old opaque system would not be spared.

“We know there are saboteurs, it is expected in this kind of environment, some people are benefiting from the opaque system that we had in place.

“And as a government, we will not fold our arms and allow them to continue. So that’s why I have to issue that this is time we need to know who are really with us.

” What that means is that those that are really with the government initiatives and know those that try to sabotage us.”

On timelines for resolving the technical hitches, Adedeji said resolution was imminent.

“When you have this kind of system, it’s a matter of days. And if you listen to the real issue, it’s just integration.

“You remember that when you opened, let’s say, master manifest, you are importing bit by bit on that one. You have some in the old system.

“And now we have some in the new system. So for the time of migration, that’s what we are talking about. So the system is perfect and working well.

“But when you cut over, you will see one that are the missing. And those are the one that is giving us the small delay that we are talking about. So we are talking about days, not months.”

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah, said the engagement was convened at the instance of the NSW Committee following the platform’s go-live on March 27.

“Things are now taking shape gradually and it is for the benefit of all Nigerians. Today’s meeting is to look at implementation and some of the challenges that has arisen that we need to tackle together as a family,” he said.

Akutah also disclosed that the Nigerian Shippers Council Act is obsolete and that moves are underway to replace it with a new legal framework.

“It’s one of the old laws, which we have already gone to the National Assembly to repeal and reenact a new law for Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency. And the law is just about to be passed finally by the Senate.

“We are hoping that when that law comes, it will give us the impetus to provide the kind of service that the stakeholders need from us.

“You know, at the moment, we are just operating under the presidential order and the regulations to that effect of 2015.”

Chairperson of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi ,said shipping companies were not new to rendering support in such situations, recalling a similar occurrence during the B’Odogwu platform rollout by the Nigeria Customs Service.

“It happened with B’Odogwu, importers spent two months before discharging their cargoes because the government has created some solution with right intent.

” We want efficiency, we want to reduce costs, we want fast turnaround time for vessels.

“There is no benefit for us in delaying release of cargoes, we don’t want to keep the containers because we are also being charged daily for it.”

She added: “Our objectives are the same and we are partners in progress, we want efficiency, we want speed and we want a reduction in bottlenecks.

“We have heard you sir, we would take it back to the decision makers, we need to know when you are going to resolve these issues, how long is it going to take.”

Managing Director of Lagos and Niger Shipping Agency (LANSA), Todd Reaves, who said he has been in Nigeria for over 60 years, described the NSW as one of the most significant positive changes he had witnessed from government in all his years in the industry.

General Manager of PTML Terminal, Tunde Keshinro, commended the federal government on the NSW implementation but urged caution against blanket waivers.

“We must be careful not to reward non-compliant importers. There is an already existing platform and pattern of granting waivers to deserving importers, it is not going to be a blanket approval.

“Some importers deliberately abandon their cargoes inside the terminals, and after it entered overtime, they would go and buy it back as overtime cargo,” he said.

NSW Committee Chairman , Tola Fakolade sought to reassure stakeholders that the situation at the ports was not dire.

He said the agency was being proactive in its engagements to ensure all service providers were aligned and working to cushion the impact on importers.

Customs

Nigeria Customs prepares 100 Deputy Comptrollers for leadership roles with strategic refresher course

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of its commitment to strengthening leadership capacity, preparing senior officers for higher responsibilities, and sustaining ongoing institutional reforms.

The workshop, organised by the Service’s Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.

Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Dow Gaura, described the participants as carefully selected officers being groomed for greater leadership responsibilities within the Service.

According to him, the refresher course is designed to equip the officers with the knowledge, discipline and leadership qualities required to lead by example and effectively guide the next generation of Customs personnel.

“These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel.

“This training extends beyond professional competence; it is focused on discipline, succession planning, conduct and exemplary leadership,” Gaura stated.

Delivering the keynote lecture, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi, reminded participants that promotion to senior ranks comes with increased responsibility rather than personal privilege.

“The rank of Deputy Comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service.

“You owe responsibility to the Service, your colleagues, your subordinates, the nation’s leadership and our stakeholders,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, urged the officers to uphold the core values of discipline, professionalism and regimentation.

He stressed that senior officers must demonstrate exemplary conduct, maintain high professional standards in appearance, and foster positive relationships with their subordinates.

In his welcome address, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, explained that the refresher course was specifically designed to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the expanded responsibilities associated with senior leadership positions in the Nigeria Customs Service.

He noted that the initiative reflects the Comptroller-General’s unwavering commitment to continuous capacity development, adding that officers must continually update their knowledge, strengthen their leadership competencies, and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of future managers of the Service.

Participants expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General for approving the training, describing it as timely, relevant and impactful.

They pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to strengthen discipline, improve service delivery and uphold the reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service as they assume greater leadership responsibilities across the country.

Headlines

NIMASA preserves Nigeria’s maritime heritage with commissioning of museum

Funso OLOJO, Editor

In a significant step towards preserving Nigeria’s rich maritime history for future generations, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commissioned a maritime museum at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC), Kirikiri, Lagos.

The museum is designed to preserve and promote Nigeria’s maritime heritage by housing historical artefacts and archival collections that reflect the country’s maritime evolution.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Agency’s Director of Planning, Research and Data Management Services, Mrs. Aisha Jidda, formally declared the museum open to the public.

Dr. Mobereola described the facility as a repository of Nigeria’s maritime history and a centre dedicated to safeguarding the nation’s maritime heritage for generations to come.

According to him, the museum will serve as an educational and research hub, showcasing historical artefacts, archival materials, maritime innovations, and the evolution of Nigeria’s maritime industry over the years.

He stated that the establishment of the museum reflects NIMASA’s commitment to promoting maritime awareness, supporting research, inspiring future generations of maritime professionals, and preserving the enduring legacy of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The NIMASA Director General urged students, researchers, industry stakeholders, and members of the public to visit the museum to gain a deeper appreciation of Nigeria’s maritime journey and its strategic contribution to national development and the growth of the Marine and Blue Economy.

Headlines

NIWA seeks stronger partnership with World Maritime University to boost Nigeria’s Inland Waterways sector

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s inland waterways sector through international collaboration following a strategic meeting with the President of the World Maritime University, Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., on the sidelines of the ongoing IMO Council Meeting in London.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, focused on leveraging global expertise to advance inland waterways development, maritime education, capacity building, and sustainable water transportation systems in Nigeria.

Leading the NIWA delegation, which included the Acting Managing Director, Yusuf Girei, Shagari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to modernising its inland waterways infrastructure and developing the skilled workforce required to drive sustainable growth in the sector.

He observed that Nigeria’s extensive inland waterways network offers enormous potential for transportation, trade, and the growth of the nation’s blue economy.

According to him, forging strategic partnerships with globally recognised maritime institutions is critical to achieving the Federal Government’s objectives of improving safety, operational efficiency, and economic activities across the country’s waterways.

Shagari further emphasised that deeper collaboration in research, training, and knowledge exchange would equip Nigerian maritime professionals with the technical expertise needed to address emerging industry challenges while aligning the sector with international best practices.

Responding, Prof. Mejia reaffirmed the World Maritime University’s commitment to supporting member states through education, research, and capacity development initiatives.

He commended Nigeria’s growing emphasis on maritime development and expressed the University’s readiness to deepen cooperation with relevant government agencies and stakeholders.

The WMU President stressed that sustainable maritime growth depends on sustained investment in human capital, innovation, and strict adherence to international standards.

Both leaders also explored opportunities to expand specialised training programmes, academic exchanges, and institutional partnerships aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime administration and inland waterways management framework.

Maritime stakeholders described the engagement as a significant step towards linking Nigeria’s inland waterways sector with global centres of excellence, enabling the country to benefit from international best practices in water transport development.

The meeting was one of a series of high-level engagements taking place during the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders are discussing policies and initiatives to promote safer, more secure, and environmentally sustainable shipping worldwide.