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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.
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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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