Maritime Agencies
AMES 2024: OGBEIFUN Regrets Nigeria’s Indifference To Global Shipping, Urges A Reawakening.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Engr Greg Ogbeifun, a towering figure in Nigeria’s shipping industry, has taken time off retirement to tell truth to power regarding what the Federal Government must do to reap the huge gains embedded in the marine and blue economy now a new ministry is in place in order not to keep incurring losses which he conservatively valued at over $9.2 billion annually.
AMES President, Engr Israel Obadan, presenting an award to Iroghama Ogbeifun, CEO, Starzs Investment Co Ltd.
Presenting the lead paper entitled ‘Overcoming Challenges Against Re-emergence Of Global Shipping Lines: A Nigerian Perspective’ at the 16th Technical Summit of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Thursday, Engr Ogbeifun pointedly told the massive assemblage of marine engineers and other maritime professionals that over 90% of them were already aware of the issues inhibiting Nigeria’s participation in global shipping which, for whatever reasons, the authorities decided to neglect for too long.
Engr Ogbeifun who recalled that since NIMAREX Expo in 2011, he had been consistently agitating for the creation of a separate ministry for the maritime sector, congratulated President Tinubu for achieving this in 2023. But as it is today, he cautioned, can Nigeria be talking about a marine and blue economy ministry when her waters remain largely brackish?
Ogbeifun, the Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Ltd and pioneer President of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) said Nigeria generates about 70% of the total cargo traffic within the West and Central African region.
“However, despite its geographical advantages and these huge opportunities”, he regretted, “Nigeria has failed to participate in the carriage of these abundant cargoes due to the lack of any Nigerian shipping line. This means that the country relies heavily on foreign vessels for the shipment of its inbound and outbound cargoes, leading to significant economic loss and negative security implications.”
He referred to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) regime, describing it as a major opportunity Nigeria has to wake up from her slumber and participate in continental shipping which can lead to increased foreign direct investment and a 7% upsurge in national income from what obtains now up to 2043. But where are the indigenous shipping lines? He attributed the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1995 to corruption in high and low quarters, mismanagement and abuse by government officials, budget misappropriation and other man-made factors.
Rev Engr Emmanuel Ilori
“The demise of NNSL means Nigeria has since then lost all of the benefits of owning a global fleet and participating in the carriage of its cargo”, he pointed out.
The result, he declared, include loss of jobs, loss of freight earnings, loss of national tonnage capacity, distorted balance of trade, and a poor reputation in the comity of maritime nations.
With one vessel, ‘MV Abuja’, Nigeria, in 1996, commenced operations under the banner of the National Unity Line (NUL), flying Nigeria’s national flag and relaunching her into international reckoning. But by 2005, the NUL went the way of its predecessor, the NNSL.
Engr Ogbeifun recalled with great nostalgia that it breaks his heart each time he looks at the ports, all the quays and jetties are filled up with ships. But how many of them are owned by Nigerians?
Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho and Rear Admiral Baratuaipri Iyalla
“The likes of Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, and Temisan Omatseye, who bought ships in the past, the system killed their businesses. With the jobs they were providing and the economic benefits to the nation, everything went down.
“There are challenges that have made it very impossible for this country, since the demise of the Nigerian National Shipping Line in 1995, to own ships.
“Nigeria has a growing demand for shipping services, but the government has not made it possible for indigenous operators to own ships. The result of this has made Nigeria completely rely heavily on foreign ships to move her goods.
“Conservatively, Nigeria is losing about $9.2bn to foreign vessels dominance of her trade. We are the ones paying that money to the foreign vessel owners. Every Nigerian who imports or exports is paying hugely.
“I don’t think our leaders need a prophet to tell them that they need to be in a hurry to ensure Nigerians participate in her shipping freight.
“The enabling policies need to be implemented. How can Nigerians compete with foreign vessel owners who enjoy zero duty and a near-zero tax regime? It is high time our leaders provided policies that encourage indigenous shipping in this country.”
Regarding the beleaguered Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Engr Ogbeifun asked ship owners to close ranks and form a formidable voice and begin to engage the authorities at least for the sake of the younger generation. He regretted that ship owners are crying while the waterfronts have now been converted into a mortuary for ships. Government, he insisted, must carry out reasonable fiscal policy reviews to empower Nigerian ship owners to be able to compete with their foreign counterparts.
He strongly advocated for the establishment of a Nigerian Maritime Bank, Nigerian fleet (not necessarily a national fleet).
“Let’s see a practical approach towards actualizing the exploitation of the marine and blue economy. The Marine and Blue Economy ministry has been established. Let the private sector drive the activities.”
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the political space is heating up and preparations underway for the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated her firm determination to tighten the noose against the illegal entry of arms and ammunition which could promote violence in Nigeria.
DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd).
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi made the vow in Lagos, Monday, while handing over seized weapons to the Office of the National Security Adviser through the Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd).
Identifying Robert Eze and Ejiogu Godson as the alleged importers of a consignment containing 399 fully assembled JoJeF pump-action rifles and other firearm components intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, the Custom boss said surveillance and enforcement operations are being intensified to prevent criminal networks from exploiting Nigeria’s land borders, seaports and airports to import dangerous arms to further their evil intentions.
The two persons arrested.
Additional rifle parts intercepted by the Customs include 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles and 39 pistol-grip screws. Others are 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips/handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.
“We are about entering a major election cycle, and we know that by this period, men of the underworld will want to use our borders, our ports, our airports to bring in items like this,” CGC Adeniyi warned.
”We are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that we do not allow them to do so,” he added.
He explained that since Customs cannot physically open every container entering the country, applying technology-driven risk profiling in operations has become a tool to identify suspicious consignments. Risk management system enables the Service to determine which containers require physical examination. This particular interception, he explained, demonstrates the effectiveness of the system.
Having completed the inventory and assessment of the illicit shipment, the CGC handed over the seized armaments to the Director General of the NCCSALW. This underscores a unified inter-agency commitment to taking dangerous weapons entirely off the streets and ensuring that cabals behind the trafficking network are tracked down and brought to justice.
The CGC described the development as more than a seizure, noting that the interception, investigation, arrest of suspects, prosecution and handover of the firearms represented a complete enforcement chain.
He added that Robert Eze and Godson Ejiogu, the two suspects arrested during the preliminary investigation, had been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, awaiting arraignment for August 25.
The Service, he pledged, would continue to strengthen intelligence – gathering, risk management and collaboration with sister security agencies to identify and disrupt attempts to smuggle firearms into Nigeria.
Accepting the arms and ammunition for further action, the NCCSALW Director-General, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) described the handing-over as a decisive step in strengthening the collective security of the people.
”This is more than a ceremonial handing/taking over of seized intercepted illicit weapons. It is a statement of intent, a commitment to protect lives, uphold justice and preserve the stability of our communities.”
The proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons, he explained, remains a primary catalyst for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and insurgency and other violent crimes.
”Armed violence fuelled by uncontrolled weapons through illegal importation or smuggling exerts a devastating toll on civilian lives, disrupts communities and undermines the foundation of governance and development. Nigeria cannot be indifferent to this reality. Our own assessment has shown with discomforting clarity that a significant proportion of illegal arms in circulation may have at some point passed through official channels.”
DIG Kokumo reiterated that illicit weapons taken out of the hands of nonstate actors is a direct blow to criminal networks and a vital step towards safeguarding innocent citizens.
”So far, over 21000 arms and light weapons have been retrieved while over 19000 have been destroyed since the establishment of NCCSALW.”
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, will be the keynote speaker at the 2026 edition of the Maritime Annual Maritime Lecture, (MAMAL).
The flagship annual programme being hosted by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) takes place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Time is 10am.
MAMAL is MARAN’s flagship programme which brings together key government officials, maritime industry regulators, academics, shipping magnates, freight forwarders, journalists and other critical stakeholders in the maritime sector to deliberate on issues affecting the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The theme of this year’s lecture is “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
The Executive Director, Technical, of TANTITA Security Services Limited, Captain Warredi Enisuoh will serve as the Chairman of MAMAL 2026, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, will be the Special Guest of Honour.
Speaking on the significance of the theme, MARAN President, Mr. Yinka Onigbinde, said the lecture would provide an important platform to examine the urgent need for modernisation of Nigerian ports and the benefits such modernisation would bring to the nation’s economy.
According to him, efficient and modern port infrastructure is critical to improving cargo handling, reducing delays and costs, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a competitive maritime hub.
Onigbinde said MAMAL 2026 would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in constructive discussions on port charges and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
He described Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman as an experienced voice in the maritime sector whose wealth of knowledge and experience would add significant value to the discussions at the lecture.
The MARAN President also expressed the Association’s appreciation to Captain Warredi Enisuoh for accepting to chair the event, describing his experience in maritime security and industry development as an added value to the programme.
He noted that the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as Special Guest of Honour further underscores the importance of the theme and the Federal Government’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for greater efficiency and competitiveness.
The MARAN President noted that the 2026 edition of MAMAL is the fourth in the series, underscoring the Association’s commitment to providing a credible platform for informed debate and professional engagement on critical maritime issues.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has restated that she is not opposed to lawful police activities in the ports. However, such operations, the freight forwarding body demands, must be conducted strictly within the purview of exant laws without turning legitimate clearance of cargo into an avenue for unlawful financial gains.
This assertion is contained in a petition to the Inspector-General of the Police (IGP) by the Association’s 100% Compliance Team over alleged extortion, intimidation, harassment and obstruction of lawful trade by officers of the Marine Police Command operating at Nigerian ports.
In the petition dated August 14, 2026, NAGAFF was specific on Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Tin-Can Island Port, bonded terminals and other designated ports where police officers frequently compromise needed integrity with the intention of making personal gains at the expense of good conduct. The alleged conduct, the Association said, constitutes a growing threat to legitimate trade facilitation as it leads to rising prices of imported goods and the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
NAGAFF, the petition said, is ready to provide documented evidences and witness accounts to buttress allegations of the prevalence of a pattern of misconduct involving Marine Police personnel around the nation’s seaports.
Some police officers, the Association alleged, issue container blockage letters to shipping lines and terminals through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council demanding illegal payments before release orders are issued.
Officers demand money or special documents from freight forwarders, drivers and agents as a condition for cargo release and speedy movement of cargo.
Other allegations include verbal abuses, threats, unlawful arrest and detention, seizure of documents and, in some cases, physical assault.
NAGAFF warned that such anti-trade practices often cause avoidable delays, port congestion and supply-chain disruptions, thus undermining the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.
The Association informed the IGP that such illegal payments and charges not approved by exant laws eventually increase logistics costs, with avoidable burdens being passed on to importers, exporters and consumers.
NAGAFF drew attention to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Nigerian Ports Authority Act, Customs Service Act 2023 and other statutory and legal documents that do not have any provisions for the irregularities in question.
In global trade, NAGAFF informed the IGP, the alleged activities, if unchecked, could damage Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, discourage investment in the maritime and logistics sectors while eroding public confidence in law enforcement agencies.
NAGAFF therefore urged the IGP to order an immediate investigation aimed at halting what it described as unlawful container blockage, extortion, intimidation and harassment at the affected ports.
To monitor compliance and address misconduct in the ports, NAGAFF recommended that a joint task force involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and NAGAFF should be established in the first instance while disciplinary action is visited against officers found culpable following investigation.
It further requested clear guidelines defining the lawful scope of Marine Police operations at seaports, as well as clearer jurisdictional boundaries between the Maritime Police and the Commissioner of Police (Ports).
“We are not opposed to legitimate Police operations at the ports. We only demand that such operations be conducted strictly within the purview of our extant laws, without turning legitimate cargo clearance into an avenue for unlawful financial gains,” NAGAFF stated.
The petition which was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator, 100% Compliance Team on behalf of NAGAFF, was copied to relevant government departments and agencies.
These included the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Senate Committee on Customs. Others were the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service and the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
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News3 weeks agoDisaster Imminent in Apapa as Widening Cracks Overtake Liverpool-Marine Road Junction. ………. Stakeholders Send SOS to Government.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoCSR: Customs CG Hosts Apapa Students in Sports, Pledges Sponsorship for Outstanding Young Athletes.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoSeme Customs Arrests 2, Intercepts Explosives, Expired Noodles As Command’s Revenue Hits N19.8bn.
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