Headlines

Shippers’ Council roars to life

—as government reaffirms its regulatory mandatory

—-Jime vows to sting

Eyewitness reporter

The official proclamation and reaffirmation of the Nigerian Shippers’Council as the economic regulatory agency of the Federal government in the maritime industry may have now emboldened the determination and resolve of the council not only to bark but bite.

The council has in the time past accused and derided of being a toothless bulldog, which merely barks but couldn’t bite.

But the Executive Secretary of the Council, Emmanuel Jime, said that such era of ineffectiveness is no more as the agency is now ready to firm up its role as the official economic regulator of the industry with adequate venom to assert its authority to enforce compliance.

Talking on the sideline of the sensitisation programme held for the stakeholders on the regulatory mandate of the agency at the weekend, Jime said the council will now be able to carry out the mandate effectively, having now been backed buy the necessary ministerial proclamation and power.

He warned that no service provider will now have the audacity and temerity to unilaterally carry out a hike in charges of its services without consultation with and approval of the council.

“We will now redouble our efforts to re-emphasise on the areas where we have already been providing services.

“It is now clear that no agency, no stakeholder can wake up on their own whims and go into the marketplace and decide for themselves what charges to impose on our maritime services.

“You have to negotiate with the Shippers’ Council whether there should be an increase or a decrease and this is going to impact the economy because we are talking of competitiveness and to be competitive, the cost of business must be related to the quality of services that are delivered.”

The council boss declared that henceforth, an increase in charges in the maritime industry shall be related to quality service by operators.

He said that the council is now emboldened by the reaffirmation of the agency as the economic regulator by the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, as represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani at the sensitisation programme, saying no service provider would now be able to afford any unilateral increase of charges.

According to him, the pronouncement would bring about confidence in port service users for the fact that they know that every charge will be attached to quality service, saying it will engender competitiveness.

Jime informed that the Council would now be able to carry out its mandate of a regulator having been backed up with a pronouncement by the federal government.

He also revealed that the ministerial endorsement of the council as the officially recognized economic regulator will now end the inter-agency rivalry that has so far hobbled the performance of the council in this regard.

He said the agencies would now work together, having their roles well defined, to attain common goals.

“The role of the regulatory services that Shippers’ Council is supposed to carry out, we have not been able to do that as clearly as we should because of some questions that have come from industry stakeholders as to whether the legal backing for Shippers’ Council is as clear as it should.

“For me, this particular sensitisation programme that we have held this morning9last week Friday) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and anchored by our own revered Permanent Secretary where there is now a clear declaration of the legal backing of the mandate of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the port Economic Regulator, the stakeholders here today will go with a certain clarity that finally, there is a proper definition of the mandate of Shippers’ Council.

“What does it do to the operational environment in the maritime domain?

“First, it will have clarity in the regulatory framework and that is good for business. No business person wants to invest in an environment where there is uncertainty.

“Going forward, the maritime stakeholders are clear that there is a body responsible for the economic regulatory framework.

“In the past, there were a lot of inter-agency rivalries, but today we are beginning to come together to work on the same page, recognising that what matters is to have efficiency and quality service delivery in our ports,” he enthused.

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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.