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NSC woos Foreign Affairs Ministry for establishment of Shippers’ liaison desks at Nigerian embassies 

— seeks fair treatment for Nigerian Shippers abroad
Funso OLOJO 
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) has opened discussions with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the possibility of establishing help desks for Nigerian Shippers at the Nigerian Embassies all over the world.
The move is part of a larger plan by the NSC to open up foreign collaborations with countries that have matured blue Economies that Nigeria could leverage for the development of its maritime industry.
Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the Council, revealed this plan recently when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, at his office in Abuja.
The visit was aimed at promoting the Council’s mandate and exploring avenues for enhanced synergy with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Akutah emphasized the need for enhanced trade intelligence to aid in resolving international shipping disputes and called for cooperation in promoting Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
He cited countries like Canada which has very mature Blue Economy as potential partners for technical exchange and collaboration in areas like maritime research and ecotourism.
“We are also exploring blue economic diplomacy.
“Today, Nigeria has embraced the blue economy, and there are countries with mature blue economies that we want to partner with.
“For instance, countries like Canada have very mature blue economies.
“We want to leverage your capacity to help us promote our Blue Economy in those countries, facilitating technical cooperation to help build our own Blue Economy.” he said.
Akutah added that the Council would also want to leverage the capacity of Foreign Affairs Ministry to see to it that Nigeria has international maritime representation in critical International institutions like International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and World Customs Organization (WCO).
He urged for stronger diplomatic engagement to ensure fairer treatment and smoother trade relations.
“We are looking at the issue of overseas treatment of Nigerian shippers because many of our shippers complain about certain constraints they face in their activities outside the country.
“We are thinking that, with your support, we could establish liaison desks in your embassies to support Nigerian shippers, especially in countries like China, where significant trade activities occur between our people and the Chinese market.” he said
In his response, Yusuf Tuggar welcomed the partnership and encouraged closer cooperation.
“I think you need to do more in terms of collaborating with us and continue to remember that these goals cannot be achieved without working with us.
“We need to work more closely with each other. An agency might be under one particular ministry, but that does not mean we should not work together on issues of overseas trade support. I am very happy to work with you,” he said.
He also affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support the NSC’s initiatives and hinted at a possible Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the collaboration.
Nigerian Shippers’ Council  is working harder to improve port infrastructure and operations to unlock the full potential of the maritime sector.
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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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