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.

Headlines

Nigeria at 66: WIMA President advocates unity,women’s inclusion,national development

Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze, WIMA President

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter
‎
‎The President of Women in Maritime in Nigeria (WIMA Nigeria), Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze, has called on Nigerians to use the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their commitment to national unity, responsible citizenship, integrity and collective development.
‎
‎Nwaeze, in her Independence Day message, acknowledged the challenges that have characterised Nigeria’s journey since independence, but noted that the nation’s history has equally been shaped by the resilience, ingenuity, courage and determination of its people.
‎
‎She portrayed the anniversary as an important moment for national reflection, urging Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of previous generations while recognising their shared responsibility in shaping the country’s future.
‎
‎“Independence Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a time to reflect on our journey, honour those who came before us and renew our commitment to building the Nigeria we desire.
‎
‎“Our journey has not always been easy, but through every difficult season, Nigerians have continued to demonstrate courage, creativity, enterprise and an extraordinary ability to rise again,” she said.
‎
‎The WIMA Nigeria President also highlighted the immense opportunities within the maritime sector, particularly the Blue Economy, describing it as an important avenue for economic diversification, job creation and sustainable national development.
‎
‎She stressed the need for greater participation of women in the sector, urging women in maritime to take advantage of emerging opportunities, strengthen professional collaboration and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the national economy.
‎
‎“As women in maritime, we understand that progress requires the courage to sail into new waters. We must continue to break barriers, create opportunities, support one another and ensure that women are fully represented in the economic development of our nation,” Nwaeze said.
‎
‎She called on members of WIMA Nigeria and Nigerians generally to embrace unity, innovation and collective responsibility, stressing that national development requires the active participation of citizens across all sectors of society.
‎
‎According to her, the task of building a stronger Nigeria should not be left to government alone, as citizens also have a critical role to play through their conduct and contributions in their homes, workplaces, communities and institutions.
‎
‎“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Its future will be shaped not only by government, but by the choices we make every day,” she stated.
‎
‎Nwaeze further advocated a nation where citizens build bridges rather than walls, promote inclusiveness, support one another and create sustainable opportunities for present and future generations.
‎
‎She reaffirmed WIMA Nigeria’s commitment to advancing women’s participation and leadership in the maritime sector, while supporting initiatives that promote economic inclusion, sustainability and national development.
‎
‎The WIMA President urged Nigerians to mark the anniversary not only with celebration, but also with a renewed sense of duty to the nation, calling for greater commitment to peace, unity, productivity and responsible citizenship.
‎
‎She said the best way to honour the sacrifices and aspirations of Nigeria’s founding generation is to contribute positively to the country’s continued growth and development.
‎
‎“May our nation continue to grow in peace, strength and prosperity. May the sacrifices of those who came before us never be forgotten, and may we have the wisdom and courage to build the Nigeria they dreamed of.
‎
‎“Happy 66th Independence Anniversary, Nigeria!” she enthused.

Commentaries

NIgeria at 66: The Uncrushable Giant in the Sun

Reflection by Ibrahim Nasiru

As the dawn breaks over the West African coastline this morning, Thursday, October 1st, 2026, a sovereign milestone unfurls across the continent.

Nigeria turns 66 today.

Let the professional pessimists sound their usual annual trumpets of despair, and let the elite commentators count our structural bruises. But let no man mistake our scars for our obituary.

Six decades and six years after the Union Jack was lowered, this sprawling, kinetic, and beautiful madness we call home still stands—obstinately united, fiercely proud, and completely unbowed.

We are not just a country on a map; we are an demographic continent unto ourselves. From the rain-swept shores of the Atlantic to the wind-kissed sands of the Sahel, north and south of the Sahara, Nigeria remains the undisputed, heavy-hearted, but magnificent Giant in the Sun.

We are the most populous black nation on God’s green earth. To think that 230 million human beings, speaking over 500 distinct languages, can wake up under the same green-white-green flag every single morning and survive the tectonic pressures of modern history is not an accident—it is a daily, living miracle of resilience.

Look closely at our geography. The world marvels at how our diverse nationalities—the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio, Kanuri, Tiv, Jukun, Fulani, Alago, Gomai, Ganawuri, Taroh, Kutep and Idoma—refuse to fit into any neat, predictable Western caricature.

We are not a monolith of sorrow. We are a kaleidoscope of unyielding human ambition. When the global economic winds howl and domestic pressures bite hard, the Nigerian does not fold. The Nigerian reinvents.

The street-vendor in Lagos, the tech-wizard in Yaba, the grain-merchant in Kano, and the resilient farmer in the valleys of Nasarawa all share the exact same DNA: an absolute refusal to be defeated by circumstances.

Our democracy is young, loud, and inherently messy. Our economic reforms are painful, complex, and currently testing the very fabric of our patience. But as the flags go up today, let us remember that the destiny of this giant does not belong to the ephemeral politicians who occupy temporary offices in Abuja or the state capitals.

The destiny of Nigeria belongs to the uncrushable spirit of the everyday citizen. We are the rhythm of Afrobeat, the intellectual weight of Nobel laureates, the raw grit of the global diaspora, and the anchor of regional stability.So, let the cynics argue in their air-conditioned rooms.

Today, we salute the market women, the youth driving the digital frontier, the labourers, and the fathers keeping the peace. We are still here. We are still giant. And our sun is nowhere near setting.

Happy 66th Independence Anniversary to the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Ibrahim Nasiru lives in Abuja

Customs

FOU Zone ‘A’: Aliyu retires after ₦3.19bn revenue recovery, Afeni takes over

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter
‎
‎The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, on Wednesday, 30th September 2026, welcomed Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni as the unit’s 30th Acting Comptroller, following the retirement of Comptroller Gambo Aliyu after a distinguished career in the Service.
‎
‎The formal handing-over ceremony, held at the unit’s conference hall, was attended by colleagues, friends, well-wishers, senior Customs officers and other stakeholders.
‎
‎ Among those present were the Acting Customs Area Controllers of the Port and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML), Ogun 1 Area Command, and the Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra Area Command.
‎
‎Addressing officers and stakeholders for the first time as Acting Comptroller, DC Afeni pledged to provide purposeful, professional and accountable leadership in advancing the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
‎
‎He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him.
‎
‎The new Acting Comptroller said his administration would strengthen intelligence- led enforcement,tackle revenue leakages and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
‎
‎He said that enforcement operations under his leadership would remain firm, lawful and respectful of human dignity, while legitimate trade would be facilitated through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders.
‎
‎DC Afeni also called for stronger collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies to combat trans -border crimes, particularly the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items across the Nigeria border.
‎
‎He also pledged to prioritise officers’ welfare and professional development, strengthen institutional discipline and encourage regular sporting activities to promote physical fitness, teamwork and work-life balance among personnel.

‎In his handing-over address, the immediate past Comptroller, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, expressed gratitude to God and the Service, describing the ceremony as an important transition in leadership and an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and challenges of commanding the unit.
‎
‎Comptroller Aliyu said his administration persevered on combating smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration and the illicit movement of prohibited goods.
‎
‎The report,according to him includes, recorded 779 seizures during his tenure, involving various prohibited and illegally imported items, including:
‎
‎- More than 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice;
‎- 61 used vehicles;
‎- Thousands of used compressors and clothing items;
‎- Foreign poultry products;
‎- 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil;
‎- 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg;
‎- 2.30kg of cocaine;
‎- More than 3,000 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 76,505 litres; and
‎- 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg.
‎
‎According to him, the seizures had a combined duty-paid value of ₦13,075,056,616.00.

‎On revenue recovery, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the unit recovered ₦3,192,511,547.52 between 10 December 2025 and 24 September 2026.
‎
‎He said the figure represented 798 per cent of the unit’s ₦400 million annual revenue recovery target for 2026, while also recording a 776 per cent increase over the ₦411,451,901.18 recovered during the corresponding period in 2025.
‎
‎Aliyu attributed the performance to strengthen risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, teamwork,and collaboration with sister agencies and stakeholders.
‎
‎He stressed that effective enforcement required collective efforts, noting that “no enforcement agency can succeed in isolation.”
‎
‎Concluding his address, the retired Comptroller congratulated his successor and expressed confidence that the new administration would build on the operational foundation already established.
‎
‎He urged DC Afeni to lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment, while assuring him of the cooperation and support necessary to sustain the unit’s mandate.
‎
‎Comptroller Aliyu also commended officers of the unit for their loyalty, discipline and resilience throughout his tenure.
‎
‎He prayed for the success of the new leadership, the continued growth of the Nigeria Customs Service and the security and prosperity of Nigeria.