Headlines

Maritime stakeholders upbeat over MARAN’s annual talkshop

— as Oyetola, Ogbeifun, Navy, Tantita, MASPAN, others confirm participation

Funso OLOJO

The coming annual talk shop of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) called MAMAL, is gathering momentum as stakeholders, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, have all indicated their interest to attend the flagship talkshop.

This year’s event with the theme “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade” focuses on the conspiracy of the international shipping companies who have continued to charge War Risk insurance premium on Nigeria- bound cargo despite the relative calm Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea which hasn’t recorded a single incident of pirate attack in the last two years.

Determined to expose the insincerity and the extortionist tendencies of the foreign shipping companies, MARAN has concluded plans to convene a national discourse on the criminality of continued collection of War Risk insurance premium on Nigeria- bound cargo.

The event, earlier scheduled for August 28, 2025, at the Eko Hotel, has now been rescheduled for August 27, 2025, at the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the statement issued by the association, notable corporate and individual stakeholders in the industry have endorsed the programme and indicated willingness to attend.

Oyetola is expected to lead a pack of high caliber of stakeholders to the event.

They included frontline maritime lawyers such as Mrs. Funke Agbor SAN and Dr. Emeka Akabogu SAN, who is expected to deliver the keynote address at MAMAL 2025.

Others are terminal operators and the Chief Executive Officer of Lelook Bags, Chief Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa.

Nigerian Navy, which has condemned in strong terms the continued collection of War Risk insurance premium, has also signified its intention to fully participate in the event.

Also expected at the annual event are representatives from Tantita Security Services Limited and the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) as well as Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, a respected indigenous shipowner, is also billed to attend.

Other associations expected to attend include the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA), the African Shipowners Association (ASA), the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), and the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA).

The lecture will host strategic dialogues on maritime security, the impact of global shipping insurance practices, and the way forward for stakeholders in the fishing, shipping, and broader maritime sectors.

Stakeholders participation in the forthcoming MAMAL 2025 is considered critical and timely to help shape actionable outcomes and reinforce industry advocacy for safer waters and fairer trade conditions.

The lecture is expected to bring together over 500 industry participants, including shipowners, terminal operators, insurers, legal practitioners, maritime regulators, naval representatives, and diplomats.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has expressed angst over the War Risk insurance premium still being slammed on Nigeria- bound cargo.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Michael Gregory Oamen, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2015, declared that Nigeria no longer has any justification to remain on the list of countries subjected to War Risk Insurance Premiums by international shipping and insurance companies.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by Executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) and members of the planning committee of the upcoming MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2025, the Naval chief described the continued classification of Nigeria as a high-risk maritime zone as “unjust” and “unsubstantiated.”

According to the FOC, Nigeria has recorded over three years of piracy-free waters, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, and has invested heavily in maritime security infrastructure and international collaborations to ensure the safety of its maritime domain.

“There is absolutely no reason why Nigeria should still be on any war risk list. For the past three to four years, there has been no piracy incident in our waters. This continued classification is unjustifiable,” he said.

He attributed the country’s improved maritime safety to robust naval presence, surveillance systems such as the Falcon Eye, and strategic partnerships with other navies within the region.

He called on MARAN to escalate the matter by writing to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and engaging other key agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

Earlier in his remarks, MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, said the purpose of the visit was to formally invite the Navy to participate in the 2025 edition of MAMAL, which is scheduled to hold on August 27 at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.

Bivbere said the theme of this year’s lecture is, “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade,” and that the goal is to bring together industry stakeholders to critically examine the continued imposition of war risk charges on vessels calling at Nigerian ports.

“We are not at war. Nigerian waters have remained safe for over three years, yet shipping companies and insurers continue to impose high premiums that affect all aspects of the economy,” he said.

The MARAN president noted that the association intends to use the lecture as a platform to demand action from the international community, particularly the IMO and major insurance firms, to remove Nigeria from the war risk classification.

“We plan to write to the IMO and directly engage insurance companies involved in this to find out why Nigeria is still being charged. The costs are being passed down to importers and, ultimately, to everyday Nigerians,” Bivbere said.

He also disclosed that MARAN has concluded plans to publish a maritime industry compendium featuring key agencies, including the Navy, NIMASA, and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The publication is expected to be launched in September.

Responding to the association’s requests, the FOC pledged the Navy’s support for the upcoming lecture and confirmed that the command will be presenting a paper at the event.

“Rest assured, the Navy will participate fully. We will also use the opportunity to share the efforts and investments made to secure our maritime environment,” he said.

He commended MARAN for its role in public enlightenment and described the media as critical partners in national security. He also welcomed the idea of allowing maritime journalists to observe naval operations during sea exercises, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.

The FOC concluded by affirming that the Navy’s partnership with MARAN has been officially restored, and promised to continue supporting the association’s initiatives aimed at promoting the Nigerian maritime sector.

The MARAN delegation expressed appreciation to the Navy for its support and reaffirmed its commitment to using the MAMAL platform to highlight issues affecting the industry and push for meaningful reforms.

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.