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Stakeholder rallies support for Shippers’ Council for effective regulatory function in maritime industry 

Funso OLOJO

The Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises(CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, has sought for stakeholders support and cooperation for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to enable it perform its regulatory role in the maritime industry.
Dr Yusuf said the industry needs strong regulator that will protect the consumers of the services of the operators in the industry.
The former President of Lagos state chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) claimed that the maritime industry is dominated by monopolists who prey on the hapless services consumers in the sector, hence the need for strong regulator who will protect their economic interests.
Dr Yusuf was speaking at the 2024 annual Seminar for maritime journalists held in Lagos under the auspices of First Medicaon Network Limited.
He said that a strong Nigerian Shippers’ Council as a regulator will to the advantage of indigenous operators whom he said are losing their jobs daily to foreigners.
” We have to support the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to provide effective regulation in the maritime industry.
“That is the way the council can protect the consumers.
The CPPE boss noted with regret that jobs are being taken away from indigenous operators who are made to be spectators in their own country’s economy.
He therefore advocated for policies that will protect the hapless indigenous operators who are at the mercies of their foreign competitors.
“Jobs are being taken away in the sector.
There must be policies to protect the indigenous people so that their jobs will not be taken away.
He wondered how foreign could be allowed to come to Nigeria to do freight forwarding jobs.
” Foreigners fo come to Nigeria to engage in the job of clearing of goods, a job which should be an exclusive preserve of Nigerians.
He said in as much as he is not adversed to foreign investors, they should not be allowed to do jobs which the indigenous people have competence for.
Rather, he advocated that such foreigners should go to areas where Nigerians lack competence for.
Yusuf said the indigenous operators have not taken advantage of cabotage act while he called for a deliberate policy that will protect the indigenous operators.
He lamented that local policies are tough and anti- trade which he attributed to cargo diversion and smuggling.
“Government policies are too tough and have driven importers from Nigeria Ports who divert their cargo to the neighboring countries”
Dr Yusuf also blamed the high exchange rate for customs duty for the high cost of goods in the market, a development he pleaded with government to remedy because of its effect in the economy.
” The exchange rate for import duty is too high.
” Exchange rate for customs duty are being computed with the exchange rate in the open market. This should be corrected.
” Sometimes, it could be N1,600 or N1700 per dollar which is too high and result to the high cost of goods in the market.
He urged the government to made an intentional intervention to halt the galloping inflation, noting there should be a limit to libralisation.
” Advanced countries like United States of America are still protecting their indigenous people from unfair competition.
” For instance, the US is considered hike in tariff on Chinese goods in the country in order to protect jobs for indigenous people”
Dr Yusuf therefore challenged maritime journalists not only to support the Shippers’ Council in its onerous task of being an economic regulator, but asked them to elevate and focus the discussion on how government should promote policies that would protect the economic interests of Nigerians and not policies that will lead to cargo diversion and smuggling.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has effectively being designated as economic regulator in the maritime industry.
Also, the  Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill , if passed, will empower the NSC to take on a more significant regulatory role in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives but awaiting concurrence from the Senate.
The bill, when passed into law,will enhance the regulatory role of the Shippers’ Council.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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