Headlines

Dosunmu decries proposed merger of NIMASA, Customs, FIRS

Dr. Ade Dosunmu

—-says idea counterproductive

— wants Hadiza Bala-Usman to guide Tinubu accordingly

The Eyewitness Reporter

Dr. Ade Dosunmu, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA) has condemned in the strongest term the proposed merger of NIMASA with Nigeria Customs Service and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

It could be recalled that the economic team of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has proposed to the President the merger of these three government parastatals to shore up the revenue profile of the federal government.

However, Dosunmu, who was the NIMASA DG from May 2007 to July 2009, warned that such a move could spell doom for the Nigerian maritime industry.

“It is a very serious misconception and dangerous for the future of the shipping/ Maritime industry in Nigeria”

“I can say the proposal in my view is like suggesting a merger of the Nigerian Navy with Nigeria Civil Defence because the latter has responsibility for protecting critical national assets.

In a statement he sent to our reporter, Dusunmu declared unequivocally that NIMASA is not a revenue-generating agency.

According to him, the agency is a technical agency charged with shipping development and administration, safe and secured navigation and cleaner oceans whose functions should not be tampered with or watered down through merger.

Dosunmu, who dwelt extensively on the formation, functions and duties of NIMASA, said that rather than merging the agency with other organs of government, it should be strengthened for enhanced performance.

“It is therefore my humble position that the emphasis of Government should be on how to strengthen NIMASA to deliver more on its technical mandates and not merging it with agencies that are not compatible with its philosophy and objectives.

He warned of the dire consequences of such action as a merger.

“It is my strong view therefore that the proposed merger will be counterproductive with huge negative implications for Nigeria in the global shipping community.

“Our waters may be considered no longer safe for international shipping and that can affect the volume of maritime trade and eventually lead to a drop in revenue.

” Another implication is that our waters can become a destination for rickety ships and thereby becoming a dumping ground for shipwrecks and derelicts”

He observed that NIMASA could, in the course of its duties, generate revenue, part of which it remits to the Federation account, but said that is not enough reason to regard the agency as a revenue-generating agency due to its critical role in the development the maritime sector in Nigeria.

“Let me quickly point out that there is no doubt that in the course of discharging her technical mandate, NIMASA generates revenue and uses part of it to prosecute its technical regulatory functions.

“The surplus at the end of the year is paid into the federation account in line with the target set by the Ministry of Finance.

“However, the critical and urgent nature of some of these technical activities and the fact that they require an instant response is part of the reason NIMASA is allowed to retain its funds and sometimes not allowed to go through the bureaucracy of tendering e.g a vessel that is sinking or an unexpected oil spill and pollution of the waters, or wreck that needs to be removed to ensure the safety of channels for Navigation, flag state inspection, survey, a regular patrol of our coastal waters and enforcement of necessary regulations”

Dosunmu however reminded President Tinubu of the critical role the maritime industry plays in the economic well-being of Nigeria and the logistics support it provides for the oil and gas industry, which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.

He, therefore, warned that the regulator and administration agency of this critical sector should not be killed in a trial and error policy of merger.

Instead, he advised the President to engage in wider consultation with the critical stakeholders before embarking on this policy.

“As former Director General/CEO of NIMASA, Executive Director (NIMASA), Assistant General Manager (NPA) and representative of Nigeria on the Council of International Maritime Organisation (IMO), my advice is that the Federal government under the able leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR should consult major maritime stakeholders on issues affecting the Maritime industry for proper guidance.

“The industry is the gateway to the economy of Nigeria and also very critical to the logistics aspect of the oil and gas industry since most of the crude oil production and exploration activities take place offshore Nigerian waters.

“Trial and error will not work. Rather, NIMASA being the regulator should be strengthened technically.

” The whole idea of merger should be set aside until wider consultation with the industry stakeholders is held.”

Dosunmu admonished Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, the new Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination to use her vast experience in the industry as the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to properly guide Mr President on this critical matter.

“However, I am happy Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the former MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority, has been appointed by President Tinubu as the Special Adviser Policy Coordination.

“Hadiza , whom I know is very abreast of the Nigerian Maritime sector, would be able to advise the President accordingly due to her expertise and experience in the industry”

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.