Headlines

The Minister’s men: How Oyetola ‘recommended’ appointments of his political allies into strategic maritime agencies

Investigation by Eyewitness roving reporters

An investigation has shown that Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, utilised his maximum power as the supervising Minister in the maritime sector to recommend, albeit influenced, the appointments of his political allies to strategic positions in some of the critical agencies in the industry.

Some of the agencies in the sector which the Minister superintendent over include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’Council(NSC), National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), and Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron.

Oyetola, the pioneer Minister of the newly created ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the civil service rules and guidelines on appointments, has the power, just like all Ministers, to recommend to the President, appointees into these agencies under his ministry.

He was first appointed Minister of Transportation by President Bola Ahmeed Tinubu on 16th, August 2023, but was redeployed four days later to the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

However, using his power of “recommendation”, Adegboyega brought his political allies of Osun state politics into strategic positions in NIMASA, NPA and NIWA.

As the immediate past Governor of Osun State from 2018 to 2022, the Minister recommended a few trusted allies who have either worked with him as the governor or affiliates of his political godfathers.

Our roving reporter gathered that Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taye Adeyemi, Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA, and Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of NIWA, were a few of the political affiliates of Oyetola who were appointed on the ” strong recommendation” of the Minister.

Bola Munitudeen Oyebamiji, MD NIWA: He is an experienced banker of more than 28 years.
Oyebamiji served as a two-term commissioner for Finance during the tenure of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola as former governors of Osun State.

According to the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the appointment of Alhaji Oyebamiji was on the recommendation of Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Gboyega Oyetola.It could be recalled that the appointments of both Alhaji Oyebamiji as the MD of NIWA and Barrister Akutah Ukeyima, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’Council, were announced in October 2023 on the recommendation of the Minister.

Chief Ngelale said of the two appointments “Both appointments, which domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, were on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola”

All other appointments in the agencies followed a similar pattern of recommendation by the Minister.

Engr. Olalekan Badmus, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA: He was appointed as Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola in January 2024 alongside five other Executive Directors in NPA and NIMASA.

He was the immediate past commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties in Osun state between 2019 and 2022 during the tenure of Adegboyega Oyetola as governor.

His efforts also gave him further responsibilities like the Honourable Commissioner supervising the ministries of Culture and Tourism as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs between June 2022 and November 2022.Engr.Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA: The NIMASA Executive Director, Operations had managed the mechanical departments of both Osun and Oyo State water Corporations at different times.

He was the Engineer in charge of Ede Water Works, Osun State Water Corporation from 1991-1992, and area Mechanical Engineer, Oyo State Water Corporation from 1989-1991.

He was also a former Local government chairman under Oyetola’s administration as former Osun state governor.Dr. Dayo Mobereola, NIMASA DG: The political affliction of Dr. Mobereola to the Minister is far-fetched because he had his public service appointments in Lagos state before his current appointment.

However, he was said to be an Osun state indigene with alleged strong political affiliation to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun state, under whom Adegboyega Oyetola served as Chief of Staff.Insider sources told our roving reporter that there may still be more of such “recommendations” when appointments into the boards of these agencies; NPA, NIMASA, NIWA, Shippers’ Council and MAN, Oron are made in the nearest future.

It could be recalled that, on June 19th, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and the Public interest.

Curiously however, it was only the NPA that has a Chairman of the Board, without board members, among all the agencies and government parastatals whose boards were dissolved in June 2023.

It could be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on July 12th, 2024, approved the appointment of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as the Board Chairman of the NPA, the same day Dr. Abubarkar Dantsoho was appointed the new Managing Director of the agency.

Headlines

Tantita intercepts stolen crude on escort of Delta Marine Police, arrests four suspects

Funso OLOJO

Tantita Security Services Limited, a pipeline surveillance operations company, has intercepted a tanker vessel, MT Thor, laden with suspected stolen crude oil.

The interception, which occurred on December 15th, 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, happened while the vessel was allegedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.

Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident and are currently facing investigation for possible prosecution.

The arrest was announced during the handover of the suspects at Koko Port in Delta State by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations.

Speaking at the handover of the vessel and the suspects at Koko Port, Delta state, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.

According to a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.

Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited.

Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.

“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.

“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko.

The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.

“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.

“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.

“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day.

As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.

Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.

Headlines

Mobereola, NIMASA DG, reflects on year 2025 with satisfaction, says 2026 holds promising opportunities for maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed his satisfaction over the achievements recorded in the maritime industry in the outgoing year of 2025, while looking forward to a promising 2026 with hope.

In his Christmas message to the stakeholders in the maritime industry, Dr Mobereola noted that the 2026 ended well with the election of Nigeria into the category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years of failed attempts as well as zero occurrence of piracy attacks on Nigeria’ waters.

“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry as once again, we have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year, Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu ,we have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector all of which culminated to Nigeria’s election into the category C Council of the International Maritime Organization.

“We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you and we felicitate with your during this yuletide season”Mobereola observed.

He however assured that the Agency will re-double efforts in ensuring that 2026 is even better for every stakeholder.

While calling on industry operators to brace up for the new year with hope of better times, Dr. Mobereola noted that “at NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council because to whom much is given, much is definitely expected.

” You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour.”

The DG concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, industry stakeholders, management and staff of NIMASA as well as all Nigerians and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Headlines

FG trains 75 boat operators on safe inland waterway navigation

Funso OLOJO

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has concluded a three-day Boat Navigation and Safety Training for 75 boat drivers and skippers, as part of efforts to improve safety and professionalism on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The training, which ran from Monday, 22, December, 2025 to Wednesday, 24 December, 2025 focused on equipping participants with the practical knowledge and operational competence required for the issuance of the Certificate in Safe Boating and Navigation.

Participants were drawn from major boating associations, including the Maritime Workers Union, the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), and the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).

Boat operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states took part in the programme.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Timothy Clement of the NIWA Lagos Area Office described the training as a significant intervention aimed at reducing accidents on inland waterways.

He noted that many previous boat mishaps were caused by limited technical knowledge and insufficient experience among operators, adding that sustained capacity-building would help address the challenge.

Clement also highlighted ongoing safety measures being implemented by NIWA, including the removal of wrecks to improve navigation and continuous sensitisation of boat operators along major routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo.

According to him, NIWA has intensified awareness campaigns, moving from jetty to jetty to educate operators on safe practices, while encouraging boat owners to release more skippers and captains for structured training programmes.

“So far, so good. We thank God for the success of this three-day training for boat skippers.

“Participants came from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, and over the past three days, they have learned a great deal,” Clement said.

“This year alone, NIWA conducted sensitisation exercises two to three times across different jetties.

“We are encouraging operators to make more of their captains and skippers available for this kind of training.

” I believe that by this time next year, we will have even more reasons to celebrate improved safety on our waterways,” he added.

Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr. Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative designed to strengthen manpower capacity and reduce waterway accidents.

She explained that the training was structured to ensure boat operators are properly equipped with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills required to operate safely and efficiently.

Akinbowale commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the former Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector.

Assessing the programme, she rated it about 90 per cent successful, noting that it combined classroom sessions with practical exercises on the water.

“We did not limit the training to classroom lectures. Participants were taken out for practical sessions at the jetty, which made the programme very effective. It was an all-inclusive training, not just theory,” she said.

She assured that the initiative would be sustained, stressing that continuous capacity enhancement remains critical to saving lives and improving professionalism on inland waterways.

Participants expressed satisfaction with the training, describing it as timely and impactful.

A Lagos-based boat operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the programme had strengthened participants’ ability to respond to emergencies and distress situations.

“With this training, we now know how to handle distress situations on the waterways because of the knowledge given to us. On behalf of the Lagos State participants, we appreciate the Minister and NIWA management for this opportunity,” he said.

Another participant from Ondo State, Biobaku John, said the training exposed him to critical safety and emergency response skills that would enhance his professionalism.

“I gained important safety and firefighting skills during these three days. As a boat driver, I learned a lot and I am proud to have participated,” he said.

Similarly, the leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, said participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, emergency response, engine maintenance and effective waterway transport management.

“For the past three days, we learned extensively about safety, first aid, how to raise alarms, call for rescue teams and even engine maintenance. The training was very educative,” he said.

The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA, in line with recommendations from investigation reports under the tenure of former NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to improve safety standards, professionalism and confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.