Maritime Agencies
WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT: Lagos Has No Reason To Disagree With FG, Gov Sanwo-Olu Says.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Lagos State Government has pledged to continue to improve and enhance its working relationship with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), even as it says that both the federal and state authorities have no reasons to disagree on issues of waterways management.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the undertaking in Lagos, Thursday, while exchanging views with the Senate Committee on Marine Transportation and Blue Economy led by its Chairman, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni which visited him at Lagos House, Ikeja.
He said the State’s Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development was set up to put in place the right and needed infrastructure around waterways in the State, and therefore urged NIWA to be on the same page with the State Government.”
We see ourselves as partners with NIWA on waterways. We are committed, and we believe that they are equally committed. The only area in which we need to strengthen our relationship is the sand-filling and approval on sand-filling. Let us be on the same page. We can continue to improve and enhance the working relationship between us and NIWA,” the Governor said.
Highlighting landmark achievements made by the Lagos State Government on the blue economy and water transportation, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that his administration would soon introduce electric boats in water transportation as part of interventions aimed at enhancing marine ecosystems and reducing travel time.
“About a month ago, we launched additional brand new 15 ferry boats with the capacity of about 40 passengers each for water transportation. The boats were fabricated and completed here in Lagos. We have launched and handed them over to the operators to ease water transportation”, he said.
“We just did ground-breaking work for two iconic projects that would be by the waterfronts; Lagos-Marina Inter-Change. It is an interchange that would harbour water transportation, rail transportation, and bus rapid transportation. We are doing another one at Mile 2, which will also be for water, rail, and bus interchange stations.
He told the visitors that the landmark projects will not only change the face of water and marine transportation in Lagos but will also enhance socio-economic activities, the movement of people from one part of the city to another and reduce travel time by 60 to 70 percent.
NIWA, he said, is aware of all the projects because Lagos State Government has been collaborating with them.
“We are working on the Omi-Eko Water Project. The Omi-Eko Water Project is a well-thought-out project that will run for the next four to five years. It is going to enhance water transportation. We are going to build additional water jetties. We are going to be buying electric boats—100/120 passenger boats. We are going to improve security on the waterways. We are going to enhance a Command and Control Centre on the waterways.”
Speaking earlier, Senator Eshinlokun-Sanni called for a mutually-beneficial relationship and collaboration between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to drive social economy and commercial activities on waterways.
He said being in Lagos on a working visit, the Committeee deemed it fit to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu before carrying out their oversight functions.
Eshinlokun-Sanni said NIWA, which is under its committee, is very critical to Lagos State, noting that the Senate Committee on Marine Transportation and Blue Economy wants a mutually-beneficial relationship between the Federal Government and Lagos State.
“We are here to look at how NIWA is doing and to see the area of cooperation with the Lagos State Government because of the recent judgement of the Supreme Court”, he said.
“We want to see how NIWA will enjoy a good relationship with the Lagos State Government without acrimony because we are the same government as the APC, and most importantly, the father of the nation is from Lagos State.
“We are not here to witch-hunt; we are here to work with you and the people of Lagos State and Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, NIWA has vowed to enforce strict compliance with safety regulations especially concerning use of life jackets by boat operators, passengers and other waterway operators.
This is contained in a warning signal the agency issued recently in reaction to the rising water levels across rivers and lagoons in the country and the danger it poses to unregulated water transportation.
Consequently, NIWA has advised people living along river banks across the country to relocate to higher grounds so as to avoid loss of lives and properties.
The agency vowed that going forward, boat operators and passengers who flout laid-down safety regulations must be prepared to face very stiff consequences.
”The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) wishes to inform the general public that our gauge readers have confirmed the country’s fast-rising water levels across rivers and lagoons,” a release by NIWA says.
“Consequently, the authority calls on all persons living at the riverbanks across Nigeria to start preparing to relocate to higher grounds to avoid the loss of lives and properties in the advent of a flood.
”Specifically, the boat operators and passengers are advised to take note of the rising tides and ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the inland waterways, including compulsory use of life jackets always.”
The agency informed that Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023 has been gazetted and compliance shall be enforced.
Maritime Agencies
CILT Honours Dr Okonna, MAN Oron Acting Rector, with Outstanding Leadership and Service Excellence Award
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Following his outstanding contributions to capacity development in maritime education and training in Nigeria’s premier maritime training centre, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Training (CILT), Nigeria, Thursday, conferred special honours on the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna.
Tagged “Award for Distinguished Leadership in Logistics and Transport”, the conferment was the highlight of the 2025 National Conference and Awards Ceremony of the Institute which took place in Lagos.
Speaking at the event , CILT Nigeria President, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, highlighted the Institute’s strategic partnership with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN). She commended Dr. Okonna for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in maritime education in Africa.
“Dr. Okonna has shown exceptional leadership and professionalism in ensuring the Academy continues to meet international standards. His passion and zeal for the development of the Academy is worthy of emulation,” Mrs. Usoro stated.
In his remarks following the conferment of the award, the elated Acting Rector expressed appreciation to CILT Nigeria for the honour. He described it as a call to continue striving for excellence in his service to the maritime industry and the nation in general
“This recognition is deeply appreciated. It is a call to a higher responsibility. This award reflects the collective effort of the Management, Staff, Students and Cadets of the Academy, whose dedication continues to drive our progress.”
”It means that what we do quietly is seen and valued. We’re ready to continue doing more for CILT, the industry and the country as a whole,” he promised.
Dr. Kevin Okonna, a seasoned maritime academic and administrator, has dedicated over thirty years to the service of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. As a lecturer, he assiduously rose through the ranks to clinch the position of Acting Rector.
In ten months since he became the Acting Rector, MAN Oron has recorded significant milestones. His leadership has heralded extensive reforms in firming up on training standards, infrastructure renewal, upgrade of teaching facilities and restoration of public power supply to the Academy’s campus and environs. Other key areas include the pursuance of ISO Certification for the Academy, development of Conditions and Scheme of Service, development of Courses on Port State Control, enhancement of staff and cadet welfare and many others.
His tenure has also strengthened collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Nautical Institute, UK, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and other global maritime bodies.
The CILT recognition, industry watchers say, underscores the Acting Rector’s enduring legacy of excellence. It also reinforces the Academy’s stance as Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution.
Distinguished officers of MAN Oron witnessed the CILT conferment on the Acting Rector. These included the Acting Director, School of Maritime Transport Studies, Mrs Theresa Eyo; Senior Lecturers – Mrs Nse Okon, Dr. Imoh Ekpo, Dr. Obot Idopise and Dr. Ufia Friday. Others were the Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs Dorcas Titilola Imogore and Domo Umoekpe, the Academy’s Head of Public Affairs Department.
Maritime Agencies
PTML Customs Hits Over N350Bn in 9 Months, Intercepts ₦200m Illicit Pharmaceuticals,
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
With a whooping revenue of N350,347,173,787.92 billion the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service realized between January and September, 2025, the coast is quite clear that it will surpass the amount of N362.5 billion it posted in 2024.
Comptroller Joe Anani, the Customs Area Controller, stated this in Lagos, Friday, while speaking during his maiden press chat at the Command’s headquarters.
The January – September figure which is 96.64% of the 2025 target, he explained, almost equals the ₦362,521,085,250.98 realized by the PTML Command from January to December the previous year.
The CAC disclosed that in spite of obvious challenges associated with the B’Odogwu initiative, in the third quarter of 2025, the Command recorded a total revenue of ₦116,243,603,670.58. This is 34.3% higher than ₦86,584,012,733.43 collected during the corresponding period in 2024.
A comparative analysis of the Command’s revenue performance in Q3, 2025, shows that the PTML Command has maintained a steady increase in revenue collection likely to be surpassed as the year winds down.
The Command intercepted a 1X20FT container with number GCNU1275880 falsely declared as supermarket items. Upon 100% examination, however, it was discovered to be laden with pharmaceutical products.
Two containers of unregistered “medicines” intercepted include: one (1) Taiwan Airsoft pistol, Two (2) magazines and 12 rounds of live ammunitions, 1x40ft container with marks and number ACLU9806850 falsely declared as magnetic resonance imaging apparatus was also apprehended and upon 100% examination, it was found to contain 6,262 cartons of antibiotics of various brands.
In line with the existing interagency collaboration approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller Anani handed the seized containers over to Dr Olakunle Olaniran, the Director of Ports Inspection Directorate of the NAFDAC who stood in for the Director-General.
CAC Anani said: “Our anti-smuggling and enforcement drives remain intact without compromise.”
“As a Command, we are not compromising national security on the altar of trade facilitation.
“I have visited various agencies of government and received them in my office on similar visits where we renewed our resolve for regular cooperation, inter- agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and crime prevention strategies.
He thanked the Command’s stakeholders and urged them to always stick to extant provisions on legitimate trade.
“Compliance saves time, saves money and helps in building a reputation for business growth towards migration into the AEO status.”
Receiving the seizures, the NAFDAC officer thanked Customs for their life -saving enforcement drive.
He commended the memorandum of understanding between Customs and NAFDAC as a working pact even he urged Nigerians to patronise only registered pharmaceutical vendors.
He commented Customs for supporting his agency to safeguard Nigerian lives through ensuring that prohibited medicines, including hypertension drugs and other prescription medications without NAFDAC authorization are not allowed into the country.
Maritime Agencies
Focus on Innovation, Integrity and Continuous Learning, Apapa Customs Boss Charges Newly Promoted Officers
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
With higher responsibilities within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), newly promoted Deputy Controllers and Assistant Controllers must embrace innovation, integrity and continuous learning in order to achieve the core objectives of the Management.
As stated in a release by Superintendent of Customs, J.T. Ayagbalo, Public Relations Officer, Apapa Customs Command, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba gave the charge in Lagos, Wednesday, during the opening session of a special training programme for the newly elevated officers. Congratulating the participants on their career advancement, Oshoba described their promotions as both “a reward for hard work and a call to greater service.”
Urging the officers to exhibit excellence, discipline and commitment to the modernization vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, he reminded them to realize that the new ranks come with increased expectations from the Service and the nation.
“These elevations come with benefits, challenges, and responsibilities. The management of the NCS demands more commitment, innovative thinking, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in carrying out the CGC’s reform agenda.”
Highlighting the Service’s transformation drive, the Apapa CAC noted that Customs operations have become more knowledge-driven, with modernization initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism redefining trade facilitation in Nigeria.
He tasked the newly promoted officers to familiarize themselves with these tools and deploy them effectively to enhance efficiency, compliance, and risk management.
”There are cases of non-compliance, either from ignorance or deliberate circumvention of procedures. This calls for greater alertness and the smart use of technology for risk assessment,” Oshoba warned.
While urging participants to leverage the training for professional development, he encouraged them to interact, exchange ideas, and build networks that will strengthen teamwork and leadership capacity across commands.
“As new leaders, some of you will be entrusted with sensitive duties, including custodianship of release passwords and supervision of junior officers,” he added. “You must uphold the tenets of Justice and Honesty, which are core values of the Service.”
Capacity building, Oshoba assured, remains a priority for the Service under the current leadership, with continuous training and retraining forming part of the long-term strategy for institutional excellence.
The training session hosted at the Apapa Area Command headquarters, aims to equip the newly promoted officers with advanced knowledge and leadership skills essential for driving Customs modernization and effective trade facilitation.
CILT Honours Dr Okonna, MAN Oron Acting Rector, with Outstanding Leadership and Service Excellence Award
PTML Customs Hits Over N350Bn in 9 Months, Intercepts ₦200m Illicit Pharmaceuticals,
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoIMO Hails Nigeria’s Anti-piracy Arrangement, Recommends Same To Other Nations.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks ago’MV DRAGON’: Freight Forwarders Group Hails Clarion Shipping, Stage A Roadshow
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTRADE FACILITATION: Seme Customs Hosts Joint Border Stakeholders’ Engagement To Deepen Cordial Relationships.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoSeme Customs Hits Big: Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Cannabis; Facilitates 53, 989.47MT Exports in A Month
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoFocus on Innovation, Integrity and Continuous Learning, Apapa Customs Boss Charges Newly Promoted Officers
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Maritime Agencies1 day agoCILT Honours Dr Okonna, MAN Oron Acting Rector, with Outstanding Leadership and Service Excellence Award