Maritime Agencies
MARPOL @ 50: Ex Gulf of Guinea Scribe Questions Nigeria’s Claim To Be A Maritime Nation.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As long as Nigeria and many other African nations do not have ships to enable them participate in global shipping and maritime transportation in the true sense of it, they cannot lay claim to being addressed as maritime nations.
Former Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea (GoG) Commission, Ambassador Florentina Adenike Ukonga stated this in Lagos, Tuesday, while speaking at the 2023 Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK 2023) hosted by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd.
She particularly regretted that Nigeria cannot be called a maritime country when foreign vessels in this time and age still dominate her territorial waters while the few indigenously-owned are being denied what it takes to breathe and remain in business. The theme of the conference was MARPOL at 50: Pollution from Ships, Africa’s Commitment to Clean Oceans, Seas, Inland Waters and the Maritime Environment.
Falcon Watch Online recalls that 2023 marks the 50th year since the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Convention was enacted. The aim was to prevent pollution of the marine environment by ships whether it arises from how the ship is operated or from accidents involving ships and other ocean-going crafts.
Even though Nigeria and other African nations have domesticated the MARPOL as major component of their municipal laws, it is debatable if adequate enforcement policies exist to give real meaning and effect to the global instrument to counter pollution on the waters. As long as it remains so, Ukonga contended, Nigeria and other African nations that ratified the MARPOL Convention cannot be called maritime countries in the real sense.
“Maritime transportation in Nigeria and in the West and Central Africa is grossly underdeveloped. Majority of the ships providing maritime transportation services in West and Central African region are from Europe, Asia and the Far East.”
Mrs Ukonga said it should be a huge worry to maritime industry watchers that maritime transportation with so much potential for economic emancipation and development in Africa is virtually being run by non-Africans. Goods cannot be shipped along the coast of West and Central Africa without first of all passing through Europe or Asia, depending on which of these foreign nations own the vessel used for the trans-shipment.
“If maritime transportation is well developed, even if it is within the region,there should be ships plying these routes, stopping in almost all the ports in the region with shorter periods of transportation not exceeding two to five sailing days enroute.
The former envoy, however, acknowledged that being a signatory to the Convention is a first step in the right direction as this ensures that African environment is no longer perceived as a dumping ground for maritime toxic waste, garbage and other hazardous excretions from factories abroad. She encouraged African entrepreneurs to invest in maritime transportation either to transport goods or people especially in inter-state maritime haulage.
“African countries should be involved in regional maritime transportation sector even if we do not yet want to go to Europe, US, Asia or Far East”.
In his contribution, Ambassador Michel Deelen,the Consul-General of Netherlands in Nigeria, referred to the huge potentials embedded in the blue economy and stressed the need to shield these from the destructive effects of pollution from ships and other ocean-going crafts. Nigeria, he suggested, must be serious to put in place structures to discourage ocean pollution not just from ships but other causative factors such as households, factories and random dropping by individuals who see water bodies as dumping ground. Existing laws and sanctions, he recommended, need to be fiercely imposed on ships polluting the Nigerian maritime space as well as manufacturing companies who indiscriminately dump waste in the ocean.
“There is the subject of marine environment pollution. We see all these when we go to the beautiful beaches in Lagos. Recently, we had the World Beach Clean-up Day. But as you can clean up the beach, the next day, everything washes ashore again.”
“So, we need to find structural solutions to this; structural solutions for manufacturing companies, plastic wastes and for the way big international cargo vessels are proposed because the fuel they use in these vessels are not the best quality. Environmentally, a lot of progress still needs to be made in this regard,” the Dutch envoy stressed.
In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty, the Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun 11, represented by Chief Olumide Oniru, recommended what he called environmentally-friendly and responsible policies to manage the maritime environment which, according to him, his domain has been part of from time immemorial. He recalled that the ocean and Lagos lagoon completely surround his kingdom and that marine and port businesses still impact on the lives of his people.
The monarch assured that despite the hazards of environmental pollution, Iru people will continue to cooperate with the authorities in whatever steps taken to ensure the waters remain clean.
Earlier, Barr Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, Chair, Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd, the conveners of the event, said Africa’s economic growth and wellbeing is directly related to the ocean economy. She stated that to prevent the pollution of the marine environment by ships, security and other cardinal factors must be addressed.
While hailing the recent creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria, she looked forward to fruitful engagement with stakeholders such as her organization as government strives to combat the problem of water pollution.
Maritime Agencies
Ehingbeti Summit: Stakeholders Say Coastal Communities Need Funding for Development.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Maritime stakeholders say to promote sustainable coastal development, attention should be focused on the legal, regulatory, security and investment frameworks required to unlock Nigeria’s blue economy potentials .
Delivering the keynote address at the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit in Lagos, Thursday, President, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, said a dedicated financing mechanism was necessary to address infrastructure deficits and improve the living conditions of people in coastal communities.
Anishere urged Nigeria to explore international financing opportunities through climate funds, development banks and multilateral organisations to scale up coastal resilience and community development.
She said sustained investment in coastal resilience would help strengthen infrastructure, protect livelihoods and create an enabling environment for coastal communities to participate meaningfully in the emerging blue economy.
Nigeria’s blue economy, she stressed, must be underpinned by effective governance as the country needs to establish the legal and institutional conditions required for innovation, investment and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
There must be a regulatory system that provides security for investors while remaining flexible enough to encourage innovation, environmentally responsible enough to protect marine resources and inclusive enough to benefit coastal populations.
Anishere also advocated improved waste-management infrastructure, sustainable fishing practices, recycling education and environmental stewardship initiatives that directly benefit coastal communities.
Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila said the state remained committed to an inclusive approach to blue economy development.
She noted that while Ehingbeti’s history was closely associated with Lagos Island, the state’s blue economy development agenda would encompass communities across Lagos.
According to her, Governor Sanwo-Olu encouraged participants to collaborate and develop a communiqué capable of advancing the blue economy agenda of Lagos State.
In her speech, the convener of the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub and Founder of the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, Hon. Olaitan Violet Williams said the Hub was established in 2023 to trace and reconnect with the historical roots of maritime activities in Lagos.
According to Williams, Ehingbeti represented an important chapter in Lagos’ evolution from its early trading history to modern-day Eko.
She identified inland waterways as one of the low-hanging fruits of Nigeria’s blue economy and called for greater investment and stronger legal protection for investors.
She said Nigeria’s estimated 10,000 kilometres of waterways cannot deliver their full economic potential if they remained largely unnavigable.
The Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, represented by NIWA Board Member, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, commended the Convener for her commitment to the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Shagari stressed that coastal communities must remain central to the implementation of blue economy policies, while advocating an appropriate legal framework for the development of Nigeria’s littoral states.
Representing the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, Rear Admiral N.C. Okon called for stronger maritime regulation and effective enforcement of existing laws.
Okon identified “sea blindness” as a factor limiting Nigeria’s ability to fully harness its maritime potential and stressed that collaboration among government agencies, coastal communities and development partners was essential.
He noted that a thriving blue economy could not be sustained amid insecurity, environmental degradation, illicit activities and regulatory uncertainty.
The Naval representative reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to providing the secure maritime environment required for commerce, investment and sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime resources.
Also speaking, Ekeoma Ezeibe, Chairman, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), identified insurance as a critical component of maritime and blue economy development.
She said adequate insurance protection was necessary to safeguard maritime assets, infrastructure and businesses against the multiple risks associated with the sector.
A major highlight of the summit was the official launch of the 28 Inland Waterways Investment Jigsaw, an initiative designed to highlight viable investment opportunities across Nigeria’s inland waterways and provide a structured pathway for private-sector participation.
The initiative is expected to support efforts to identify investment opportunities across the country’s inland waterways while encouraging greater private-sector involvement in water transportation and other marine-related businesses.
The 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit brought together government representatives, maritime professionals, security stakeholders, legal practitioners, insurers, traditional rulers, academics, private-sector operators and representatives of coastal communities.
The summit reaffirmed the need for stronger regulation, maritime security, sustainable financing, infrastructure development and community inclusion as Nigeria works to translate its blue economy potential into sustainable economic and social development.
Maritime Agencies
Ogun 1 Customs Repeats Stern Warning To Smugglers, Confiscates Latest Brand of Range Rover, Other Contrabands.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Acting Controller, Ogun Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has, for the umpteenth time, warned smugglers and people involved in sabotaging the economy to keep off the jurisdiction of the Command as dragnets in place will always catch them.
The Customs boss made the affirmation at Idiroko, Thursday, while unveiling a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 valued at N417, 011, 982 seized by the Command between August and September, 2026. Other seizures include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 8675 litres of PMS, 3,893 parcels of cannabis indica weighing 1,878 tonnes and 428 pneumatic tyres. Others include 24 bales of second -hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel all with a combined Duty Paid (DPV) was N2.469 billion.
The seizures, Afeni explained, reflects the level of commitment of the Command to enforcing customs laws and protecting the country’s economic interests.
He said the Command’s anti-smuggling operations, intelligence-led enforcement and enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies had yielded tangible results in tackling illicit trade and strengthening border security across Ogun State.
Through her sustained anti-smuggling operations along the border corridors, he added, the Command had also intercepted substantial quantities of other prohibited goods .
The Acting Controller said the Command continues to maintain a firm balance between revenue generation and legitimate trade facilitation despite the current constraints she is grappling with.
It has never relented in diligent duty collection, baggage assessment and physical examinations at designated border points.
The Command also optimizes its import and export verification processes to facilitate compliant trade while maintaining regulatory oversight on sensitive goods, including mica stone, CNG, white talc and crushed thermal coal.
To tackle cross-border crime, Afeni explained, the Command has strong operational collaboration with sister security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and environmental management agencies.
Flowing from this, the Command handed over 3,893 parcels of cannabis sativa seized during the period to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation.
To build mutual trust and reduce hostility during enforcement operations, the Command has also been engaging traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations.
Afeni said the Command’s responsibilities extended beyond customs enforcement to supporting community development and environmental stewardship.
He mentioned that the Command participated in inter-command athletic competitions in August and September, emerging as champions in volleyball.
Acting Controller Afeni hailed the unwavering dedication of his officers and men, as well as the massive support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the NCS management team.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Navy has warned that the unregulated deployment of unmanned vessels for maritime surveillance could pose serious security risks to the nation’s maritime domain. It has, therefore, called
for the development of an appropriate legal framework to regulate their use.
Rear Admiral Daniel Atapa of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department made the call in Lagos while speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff at the Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEEK) 2026 hosted by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd.
Rear Admiral Atapa said there was the need to harmonise the various maritime architectures under a single command to effectively curb the practice.
Even though each agency is at liberty to operate its own equipment and systems, Atapa noted, the issue of inter-agency rivalry and the harm it has brought to bear on the system often makes it difficult to harmonise the various maritime domain awareness assets for effective coordination and information-sharing.
“There are Maritime Domain Awareness assets with NIMASA, Navy, NPA and the rest. To the extent that there is no regulation or codified framework mandating their use or defining their modus operandi, each agency is at liberty to operate with what it has.
“Also, because of inter-agency rivalry which is silent and which we sometimes do not want to admit exists, it becomes difficult to harmonise these Maritime Domain Awareness assets. So, we continue to operate the way we do until there is a regulation that brings everybody together and says, ‘Come together and operate this way.’
“We still make do with what we have. But once there is a regulation, it will provide the framework for harmonising these assets and ensure better coordination among the agencies.
“On the presence of foreign vessels and navies in the Gulf of Benin, we need to understand that the Gulf is an open sea line of communication. Most of these foreign navies are from countries with significant shipping activities in the region.
“You cannot impose on any country that because our maritime domain is now safe; they should drive away their vessels. To the extent that they were there before the crisis, during the crisis and before the de-escalation, they still have the liberty to operate.
“We cannot tell them to leave the Gulf of Benin because that space is free and freedom of navigation is obtainable for everyone.
“On the unregulated use of unmanned vessels, as I recommended as part of my prescriptions for addressing the issue, there is currently no regulation, and so everybody operates and does what they deem appropriate.
“The implication is that, as long as there is no problem, everybody is fine. But once there is a problem, that will become the test case and demonstrate the need for regulation.”
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Ogun 1 Customs Repeats Stern Warning To Smugglers, Confiscates Latest Brand of Range Rover, Other Contrabands.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNAGAFF Suspends Planned Strike As NPA, Maritime Police, DSS Resolve To End Container Blockage.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoFRESH ARMS IMPORTATION : Customs Hits Criminal Networks Hard, Intercepts 204 Firearms Routed from Turkey.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoZoe Maritime Resources Hosts Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK), 2026.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoParts Central Ltd Set To Turn Waterway Waste into Wealth, says Onifade.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoLIMWEEK 2026: Measurable Outcomes Must Guide Policies in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCUSTOMS’ ZONE ‘A’ SPORTS EVENT: CGC Adeniyi Highlights Need for Discipline, Teamwork in Customs Operations.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoOyetola Transfers Inland Dry Ports to NPA, Sets Up Committee for NSC–NPERA Transition.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNigeria Collaborates with Benin Republic to Launch Modernised Joint Customs Border Post.