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PMAWCA 2026 – Beyond Lagos rhetoric, Nigeria must lead Port evolution.

Ibrahim Nasiru

As the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) Board of Directors meeting opens in Lagos tomorrow, Monday, May 18, all eyes are on Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho.

While hosting this three -day high level gathering cements Nigeria’s diplomatic and geopolitical clout in the sub-region, the real test lies in translating the theme—”Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development” into actionable regional metrics.

As an analyst looking closely at the sub-regional maritime ecosystem, three critical realities must dominate the conversations beyond the official communiques:

THE URGENCY OF TRANSSHIPMENT DOMINATION:

With Dantsoho sitting uniquely as the first Nigerian President of PMAWCA, Nigeria holds the gavel to drive true regional trade integration.

However, the “Ports of the Future” cannot exist merely on paper. While Nigeria boasts massive consumer market leverage, we are in an aggressive race against regional rivals like Lome (Togo), Tema (Ghana), and Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) for transshipment supremacy.

PMAWCA must move past administrative reviews and establish unified, automated transshipment protocols that reduce dwell times across West and Central African corridors.

MOVING FROM PORT EFFICIENCY TO COMMUNITY INCLUSION:

The inclusion of “Community Development” in this year’s theme touches on a historic pain point. For decades, Port host communities across West Africa most notably Apapa and Tin Can in Lagos have borne the brunt of logistical friction, gridlock, and environmental degradation without direct socio-economic cushions.

If Ports are truly the “gateways to prosperity,” the policy directions forged in this meeting must mandate a fixed percentage of port-generated revenue to be directly reinvested into local infrastructural resilience and Green Port Initiatives (GPI)

THE DIGITAL INTEGRATION LITMUS TEST:
You cannot build a resilient, future ready Port with manual paperwork and fragmented customs processes.

For the West and Central African sub-region to survive evolving global supply chain shocks, this board meeting must lay a concrete timeline for a unified Regional Port Single Window system.

True maritime cooperation means a vessel moving from Luanda to Lagos or Abidjan should encounter standardized digital clearance architectures.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Nigeria’s successful hosting of the 43rd PMAWCA Council in 2023 proved we can organize.

The 2026 Board Meeting must prove we can execute. Minister Oyetola and MD Dantsoho have a golden opportunity to steer PMAWCA from a deliberative association into a fierce economic bloc.

The sustainability of the sub-regional economy depends entirely on how quickly we move from standard roundtable rhetoric to aggressive, Modern Port Execution.

While awaiting the outcome of this historic meeting,  I wish the Minister a successful outing.

Ibrahim Nasiru is a public affairs analyst and he writes from Abuja

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At World Environment Day celebration, NIWA renews commitment to clean, secure waterways 

Umar Yusuf Girei, NIWA Ag. MD
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining clean, safe and sustainable inland waterways as Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2026 World Environment Day.
The celebration, themed “Urbanisation and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for a Sustainable Future,” draws attention to the environmental challenges accompanying rapid urban growth and climate change impacts.
In a statement delivered at NIWA Headquarters in Lokoja, Girei extended greetings to cities across the country, noting that urban areas are increasingly expanding around waterways which continue to serve as vital centres of commerce, culture and economic activity.
He, however, warned that urbanisation places significant strain on the environment, leading to challenges such as rising temperatures, flooding and erosion, all of which require urgent and coordinated response measures.
According to him, NIWA views inland waterways as natural infrastructure for building urban resilience, explaining that properly managed rivers and channels help mitigate flooding by serving as drainage pathways, while also offering a cleaner, low-carbon option for transporting goods and passengers.
Girei reiterated the Authority’s commitment to responsible dredging, protection of riverbanks, and sustained efforts to keep waterways free from pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal.
He also stressed that government cannot shoulder the responsibility alone, urging Nigerians to contribute by disposing of waste properly, planting trees along riverbanks, reporting illegal dredging and encroachment activities, and supporting environmental protection initiatives.
He further encouraged greater adoption of water transportation as a safer and more sustainable alternative to road transport across the country.
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Tope Fajemirokun, WABOTAN President, decries high cost of water transportation in Nigeria 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

 

The President of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Mr. Tope Fajemirokun, has lamented the prohibitive cost of water transportation in Nigeria which he said has continued to discourage Nigerians from using this viable mode of transportation.

Fajemirokun make this observation during a live Radio broadcast in Lagos.
The WABOTAN President further disclosed that commuters pay more using water transportation than when using road transportation, a development which he feared was inimical to the growth of water transportation that he believed was a viable alternative to road transportation.
According to him, a commuter pays as high as N10,000 commuting on waters from Badagry to CMS, Lagos on two- way journey.
“The cost of water transportation remains high. For example, a commuter travelling from Badagry to CMS may spend about ₦5,000 each way, amounting to ₦10,000 daily on transportation alone.
” This is one of the major factors discouraging passengers from using the waterways. That is why we are appealing to government at all levels to invest more in the sector,” he added.
To bring the cost of water transportation down, Fajemirokun called on government to invest more on water transportation and also give assistance to private operators in the business.
He lamented that rising fuel prices have significantly affected the operations of boat owners and transporters, noting that the increase in fuel costs, coupled with prevailing economic challenges, has made it difficult for operators to acquire new boats and expand their businesses.
 “When you are in business, you must continue to improve and invest in it despite the challenges,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to NIWA and LASWA for their commitment to maintaining safety standards on Nigeria’s waterways.
Fajemirokun further outlined several initiatives undertaken by WABOTAN to educate its members on safety practices ahead of the rainy season.
 “Since the beginning of the year, we have been educating our members on safety measures.
“We have conducted two safety induction programmes this year and are currently planning another one before August.

“With the support of my friend and brother, Frank Meke, the programme will bring together stakeholders, the media, and regulatory agencies to further strengthen safety awareness,” he stated.

The WABOTAN President noted that the association has implemented several safety measures in preparation for the rainy season and acknowledged the efforts of regulatory authorities in sensitizing operators and passengers.

 “A few months ago, LASWA invested significantly in clearing water hyacinth from Lagos waterways. Water hyacinth is a fast-growing aquatic plant that obstructs navigation and poses safety risks on waterways,” he explained.

Fajemirokun said WABOTAN has enjoyed strong cooperation from both LASWA and NIWA in promoting safety and regulatory compliance across the sector.

 “We have received tremendous support from LASWA and NIWA, and we are working closely with them.
“However, we remain particularly concerned about Rivers and Bayelsa States, where incidents on the waterways tend to increase during the rainy season due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

“With NIWA’s support, we are intensifying sensitization efforts in those states and across other parts of the country,” he said.

He added that several states are establishing their own waterway authorities and commended NIWA for providing guidance and support in that regard.

Speaking on the need to phase out unsafe banana and wooden boats, Fajemirokun called for greater government intervention and financial support for operators seeking to invest in safer and more modern vessels.

“The government needs to come to our aid, just as the Lagos State Government has been doing.

“Eliminating banana and wooden boats will be easier if government provides the necessary support and investment.

” State governments should also invest more in water transportation to ensure that Nigerians can fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the waterways,” he said.

He further urged government authorities to take a more active role in developing the water transportation sector, noting that the high cost of water travel discourages many commuters.

Also speaking on the programme, veteran maritime journalist Frank Meke acknowledged government efforts but stressed that more needs to be done to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s water transportation system.”Our roads are heavily congested. As we speak, Apapa remains gridlocked. Imagine the impact if government invested more in water transportation.

” Sometimes, there appears to be more lip service than concrete action. The blue economy holds enormous potential.
” Look at the investments and sacrifices being made by associations like WABOTAN to strengthen the sector.

” Government agencies should demonstrate a similar level of commitment,” Meke said.

He also expressed concern about states such as Kwara, Niger, Benue, and Taraba, where waterways could serve as a more affordable and efficient means of transporting agricultural produce.

According to him, many farmers in these states need reliable and cost-effective transportation options to move their goods to market, making water transportation a viable alternative.

Meke called on the government to declare a state of emergency in the water transportation sector, emphasizing the need for alternative modes of transportation beyond road networks.

“Nigerians need efficient alternatives to road transport, and WABOTAN has played a significant role in advancing the sector.

“Government should provide soft loans to boat operators to enable them to acquire modern vessels.
“Investment should not be limited to boats alone; there is also a need for continuous training of boat captains, crew members, and even passengers.

” As the rainy season approaches, we must prepare adequately for emergencies,” he stated.

Fajemirokun concluded by urging all boat operators to prioritize safety at all times and ensure that passengers wear life jackets before embarking on any journey.

 “Safety must always come first. Boat operators and passengers should never neglect the use of life jackets, regardless of the distance of the journey,” he advised.
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Nigeria gains prominence in standard maritime training capacity as NSML secures prestigious UK certification 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSMS) has placed Nigeria on a global map as a country with world class maritime training capacity with the certification of its Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) by the UK Nautical institute.
It could be recalled that NSMS, the capacity – building arm of the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas(NLNG) Limited, runs a word class maritime training institute called Maritime Centre of Excellence(MCOE) based at Bonny Island, Rivers State.
The institute, which has, over the years, deepened the Nigeria’s capacity in maritime industry through standardized training of professionals in the industry, recently secured a prestigious certification of its training programmes by the United Kingdom Nautical Institute.
Sharing the cheering news with newsmen on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 in Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of the NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, enthused that the certification from the UK Nautical Institute is a strong validation of the quality, rigour, and relevance of the training delivered at the Centre.
Ahmed further disclosed that the certification was a great milestone for the institute in particular and Nigeria’s maritime industry in general which, according to him, confirms that the MCOE meets internationally accepted standards for competence development and operational excellence.
He further stated that the UK certification was not the first global milestone attained by the institute as it has earlier secured the accreditation  by DNV under globally recognised standards, including ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and the DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres.
“These certifications reinforce our commitment to quality, consistency, and excellence in training delivery” the NSML MD enthused.
Ahmed listed the significance of the certification of the MCOE by the UK Nautical institute

“It strengthens our global standing, certification by globally respected bodies affirms that the standard of training and expertise developed here in Nigeria can compete with the best anywhere in the world.

“It enhances the employability and mobility of Nigerian maritime professionals with internationally recognised training; our seafarers are better positioned to access opportunities across global fleets and offshore operations.

“It reinforces our commitment to building capacity locally, this milestone demonstrates clearly that world-class maritime training can be delivered here at home, reducing reliance on foreign institutions while raising national capability.

“It also reinforces safety and professionalism within the sector.

“The certifications obtained by the MCOE affirm that the professionals trained here meet high international expectations in performance, safety, and operational readiness.

“Beyond the industry, the impact is broader. A stronger maritime workforce contributes directly to trade, shipping, offshore operations, and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy supporting job creation, productivity, and national competitiveness” the NSML MD declared.

He disclosed that the UK Nautical institute certification has now given the MCOE the license to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes which include  induction, simulator, revalidation, and vessel maintenance courses.
The Maritime Centre of Excellence is the  NSML’s hub for maritime training, research, and competence.
It was established as a one-stop centre for world-class maritime expertise which serves  Nigeria, West Africa, and the global maritime community.

The Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and modern training facilities designed to support the continuous professional development of seafarers and maritime professionals, with an expanding portfolio of both mandatory and specialised courses.

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