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At Port News Summit, stakeholders decry dominance of foreigners in shipping, logistics business 

–blame government policies for not protecting interests of indigenous operators 

Funso OLOJO 
Stakeholders in the maritime industry have condemned in strong terms the marginalization of indigenous operators in the shipping and logistics business.
They lamented the continued dominance of foreigners which they claimed was aided by government policies that give them unrestricted access into the industry to the detriment of the locals.
Setting the tone for discussion at the summit, held in Lagos on November 4th, 2024 , the convener of the seminar, Prince Wale Oni, the Publisher of Port News, lamented that indigenous operators in the maritime industry have been consigned to the background at the post -concession period where indigenous operators have become onlookers in their own economy.
With a voice visibly subsumed by emotion, Oni claimed Port concession programme has been more of a curse to indigenous operators than a blessing because the foreigners have come to take away their jobs.
“Has the port concession not impoverished Nigerian freight forwarders and terminal operators?
” Why have the terminal operators and foreigners seemingly ganged up against Nigerian bonded terminal operators by denying them container transfers?
“Nigerian operators have lost the plot,  they are mere onlookers” the Port News publisher lamented.
Dr Muda Yusuf, the Managing Director, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, who presented the lead paper, corroborated the position of Prince Wale Oni and bemoaned that Nigerians are losing all in the port concession arrangement.
He believed there is a need to step up advocacy to reverse the trend.
Dr Yusuf blamed government policies which he said give unresisted access to foreigners into the maritime industry where he said they have taken over the entire value chain from shipping, terminal operations and freight and logistics business.
The former Director -General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries believed that government should be intentional about reversing the trend by coming up with policies that will protect and promote indigenous participation in the industry.
He advocated for what he described as economic nationalism where government will give more opportunities and patronage to empower indigenous operators.
” In the United States of America(USA), what makes Donald Trump get electoria victory for the second time was his promise to put America and Americans first.
” In most developed countries of the world, government practise what I called economic nationalism where they put their people first above foreigners”
Dr Yusuf however lamented that the reverse was the case in Nigeria where foreigners call the shots.
He dismissed the long- worn out narrative that what gave rise to foreign dominance in the sector was due to lack of capacity of indigenous operators.
According to him, it is the opportunities and patronage by government that will empower local people and give them capacity.
” If government did not patronise and support Dangote, would be have capacity for what he is doing now” he inquired.
Yusuf further stated that where the indigenous operators have capacity, such areas should be preserved for them while foreigners could be encouraged to go into where the locals lack capacity.
He said in as much as Nigeria seeks for foreign investors, government should not do that at the expense of the indigenous people.
The economist therefore urged the government to restructure its policies which he said have failed the indigenous people and propagate those ones that will protect their interests.
He called for the review of Nigerian Investments  Promotion Commission Act (NIPC) which he said gives unrestricted access to foreigners.
He also wanted replication of local contents laws in the oil and gas sector in the maritime industry.
According to him, the laws have had a positive impart on indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
Members of the panel of discussion, moderated by Mr Funso OLOJO, the Publisher of theeyewitness news, also lent their voices against the marginalization of indigenous operators in the maritime industry.
The panel of discussants  included Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) and Nigeria National People’s Party(NNPP), Captain Kunle Olayiwola, a former Director in Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and Alhaji Haruna Omolajomo, a bonded terminal operator.
The panelists observed that there was no unity among the indigenous operators who undermine their individual efforts to get advantage over one another.
They believed that this lack of unity did not allow them to forge a common front to fight for their economic emancipation and freedom from foreigners.
The panelists also believed that the foreign operators are in the country to do business and will not cede an inch of their dominance to the indigenous operators if the locals do not unite and present a common front to gain back their lost business opportunities.
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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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