Headlines

CILT admits Opeifa into its Fellowship cadre

— seeks strong collaboration with NRC

Funso OLOJO

The Nigeria’s foremost transportation institute, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, has conferred a Fellowship award on the Managing Director and CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC),

Dr. Kayode Opeifa, during an official courtesy visit to the corporation’s headquarters.

It also sought the deepening of collaboration between the Institute and the agency, which it described as a major player and the backbone of transportation and logistics sector in the country.

The President and Chairman of Council, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro said the over 100 year old institute, chartered in the United Kingdom, is an international organisation that maintains same global standard, content and curriculum ,thereby making its members fit for any job in the transportation systems anywhere in the world.

Usoro, a former Managing Director of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said CILT, with presence in over 133 countries, has been at the forefront of shaping logistics and transportation globally.

“The structure of CILT ensures that the same international standards are applied across all member countries.

“We carry out global audit of our curriculum content in order to ensure that we uphold sound professionalism and quality befitting the sector.”

The CILT president highlighted how the Institute’s certification helped members secure jobs and academic placements abroad.

She also stressed the organisation’s ongoing involvement in national advocacy, including its significant contributions to the National Transport Policy formulation, adding that the institute is ready to collaborate with the corporation in training its workforce.

In his response, Opeifa affirmed NRC’s readiness for the conference.

While accepting the fellowship, he reaffirmed NRC’s commitment to promoting professional standards of its workforce.

“We recognise the value of CILT and the role it plays in strengthening logistics and transportation.

” As a major player in the rail sector, we must ensure that professionals with requisite training in the sector begin to manage our mobility systems,” he said.

According to him, the Corporation is proud to have sound local engineers and other professionals who can hold their own against their contemporaries anywhere in the world, adding that just as its civil engineers could readily lay tracks, the mechanical engineers can work on any engines and repurpose any equipment for the benefit of Nigerians.

Under his leadership, the corporation is encouraging all states that has the rail assets in their territories to invest in the rail sector for the use of Nigerians.

Under the initiative which he tagged railing with the States, several states are already indicating interest in partnering with the NRC in rejuvenating the legacy train service.

On cargo services, Dr Opeifa said the corporation has invigorated cargo movements to and from the ports with the reactivation of three new lines to Apapa Ports for cargo movement to Ibadan, while efforts are ongoing to link Ilorin, and beyond.

“Presently as facilitator of trade, we have brought new life into cargo movement, in what we have termed freight revolution as it is now common to see simultaneous cargo movements on both sides the narrow and standard gauges,” Dr Opeifa said.

On what the NRC under him has been doing on passenger services, Dr Opeifa said the corporation is determined to improve passenger/customer experience by improving the ambience of all its coaches, especially on the narrow gauge to change the perception of the people and make train service a viable alternative as a mode of transportation.

The NRC boss said the corporation’s conference coach is available for the CILT to hold its board meeting.

“We invite you to make use of our conference coach for your next board meeting. You could charter it and hold your meetings on the train, giving your board members an unforgettable view of the beautiful countryside between Lagos to Abeokuta, or to Ibadan.

” It would be another unique experience for members of your board,” he said.

The NRC management team in attendance include directors of corporate planning, administration, legal, civil engineering, among others, while CILT was represented by high-ranking fellows and industry experts.

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.

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.

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.