Headlines

Transport Minister reaffirms Shippers’ Council as economic regulator

…Enjoins stakeholders to cooperate with the council

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been reaffirmed as the economic regulator of the Nigerian port industry.

Giving the reaffirmation on Friday at a sensitization seminar jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the council on “Promoting Competitiveness in the Maritime Industry: The Mandate of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mu’azu Jaji Sambo reiterated the position of the Federal Government that NSC is the economic regulator of the port industry and enjoined stakeholders operating in the industry to cooperate the council.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Magdalene Ajani, also advised the stakeholders to get acquainted and be conversant with the supervisory role of NSC.

He recalled that the NSC was appointed interim port economic regulator in 2015 to effectively regulate tariffs, rates, charges and other related services as well as monitor all matters relating to the cost, standard and quality of services rendered by the regulated service providers.

He reiterated that NSC is the economic regulator while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) remains the technical and supervisory regulator.

The minister declared that the two agencies are working within the Nigerian port system for the good of the industry and advised those in court to embrace the regulatory roles of the two government agencies.

Sambo reiterated that NSC remains the port economic regulator pending the time the National Transport Commission would come into being to regulate the transport industry.

The Permanent Secretary earlier said she was glad that the two agencies, NSC and NPA, known to be fighting each other, have agreed to work together for the common good of the industry.

She hinted that the ministry is looking at committee reports with a view to implementing some of them.

In his presentation, the guest speaker, Prof. Bongo Adi, a Professor of Development Economics and Data Analytics, Lagos Business School, said that NSC was appointed the port economic regulator in 2014 to promote competitiveness and compliance in the maritime sector.

The professor noted that the agency was appointed the regulator almost a decade after ports were concessioned.

He stated that this was a challenge as it became a regulator that took no part in the concession exercise.

Describing NSC’s late appointment as leading from behind to enforce competitiveness,

Bongo noted that the port industry is naturally monopolistic because entrance into the industry is not open.

He explained that the competition arising from its monopolistic nature is what NSC is to regulate for competitiveness.

According to him, the most important sector of the economy is the foreign sector where the country interacts with the rest of the world through imports and export.

The professor charged that NSC must promote competitiveness that will buoy the nation’s export, saying that Nigeria’s monetary policy has become sterile.

Bongo declared that the only thing that can save Nigeria is export which must come in form of diversification.

He warned against relying on agricultural produce which he labeled as inferior goods.

He emphatically stated that agriculture should not be the priority except for the purpose of export.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime said that the maritime industry plays an important role in national development.

He noted that with the concession of the ports in 2006, cargo throughput increased, adding that about 70 percent of exports pass through the seaport.

Jime stated that the ports need to be made competitive to guard against monopoly.

He informed that it’s against this backdrop that the Federal Government appointed NSC as the port regulator.

The NSC boss expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other sister agencies for their support in making the council carries out its duties.

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.

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.

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.