Maritime Agencies
Apapa Customs Set To Surpass 2024 Revenue Target, Achieves N1.8Trn In 10 Months.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Between January and October 2024, the Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected over N1.87 trillion.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller B.O.Olomu announced this in Apapa, Monday, while unveiling recent seizures of contrabands hauled into Nigeria by some unscrupulous importers. The huge revenue collection, Olomu disclosed, is significant because it marks a 101% increase when compared to the N931.1 billion generated in the corresponding period in 2023.
Comptroller Olomu who reiterated the Command’s resolve not to waver in her determination to block revenue leakages said he will always optimize collections despite the declining volume of trade inflow.
In October 2024 alone, the Controller pointed out, the Command recorded over N264.5 billion, its highest-ever monthly collection.
With this disposition, he expressed high hopes that Apapa Port Customs Command would meet and even surpass its revenue target of N2.2 trillion by the end of the year.
Olomu highlighted initiatives the command has mapped out to streamline and modernize trade facilitation processes.
These include integrating trade facilitation tools such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advanced Ruling, as well as operating on weekends to ensure that importers take delivery of their cargoes without any delay.
“We also have an intra-government working system where all government agencies work together as a team without compromising the mandates of our respective agencies”.
“Equally, we have a wider customs-stakeholders forum where only issues partaining to customs are looked into and addressed as at when due.”
He quickly recalled the significance of the recent first shipment of cargo to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which the Apapa Customs Command facilitated.
Speaking about anti-smuggling efforts, the Apapa Command has continued to intensify enforcement. On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Comptroller Olomu handed over six containers with falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“This handover further underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister government agencies in the port. It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port.”
“As a service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security. These medical importations have expired while others are not evaluated by NAFDAC and could cause damages to Nigerians if consumed.”
The content of the seized containers, he announced, contravene the provisions of Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and section 233 of the NCS Act 2023. They were carrying unauthorized doses of tramadol, codeine-based cough syrup, injections and other unregistered pharmaceuticals.
“On my watch, the stakeholders’ compliance level in Apapa Port has increased and this is a testament to the very regular interactions we have established as directed by the CGC.”
While specially thanking all sister government agencies and strategic private sector partners for being part of the success being celebrated, he pledged that the Command would always value their contributions as these have directly impacted on the scorecard being celebrated.
The day’s formal handing-over of seizures to NAFDAC and the NDLEA, he emphasized, should serve as a deterrent to those involved in any form of illegality while serving to encourage lawful and compliant traders.
He reminded all port users that every consignment passing through the Customs in Apapa will be subjected to thorough examination with scanners and physical means where necessary.
“We shall continue to detect false declarations, concealment, undervaluation and other unethical practices aimed at evading duties, short-changing the government and exposing citizens to unsafe products.”
Maritime Agencies
Dangote Lauds NPA’s One-Stop Shop Committee, Donates Coaster Bus To Ease Operations
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has received commendation for demonstrating tact and economic sense in the way and manner it implemented the Federal Government’s policy on domestic sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira.
The President/ Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote made the commendation while donating a brand-new Coaster bus to the One-Stop Shop (OSS) Committee to further ease her operations.
In a letter he personally signed, Alhaji Aliko Dangote assured that his organisation would continue to explore ways to support the NPA-led committee to sustain its successes in the implementation of the presidential directive on the sale of crude and refined products.
“In recognition of the enormous responsibility placed on the shoulders of the One Stop Shop (OSS) by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and our commitment to ensuring the committee delivers on its mandate”, the letter stated, “I am pleased to donate to the committee one (1) brand new Coaster bus to facilitate the daily discharge of their operations.”
“We believe this bus will be used productively by the committee as we continue to look for ways to support and appreciate the efforts of this noble committee.
Mr Zach Adediji, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services
It is recalled that during a recent visit to NPA, the Chairman, Technical Sub-Committee on the implementation of the Federal Government’s policy on domestic sale of crude oil and refined products in Naira, Zach Adedeji,
commended the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Team, led by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for ensuring smooth operations of the directive. Adedeji is the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
He lauded the team led by NPA for playing a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the presidential directive on the domestic sale of crude oil and refined products in Naira.
Adedeji said: “We recognize that this pioneering effort is a significant achievement, and no doubt reflects your commitment and patriotism”.
“Thus, we encourage you to maintain the hard work and dedication that has made this initiative a success.
“We also extend our gratitude to all participating agencies for their invaluable cooperation and support,” Adedeji stated.
Maritime Agencies
Release Approved N200bn Capital Projects Fund To MAN, Oron, House of Representatives Charges NIMASA .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In her determination that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron is adequately empowered to function to achieve her statutory mandate, the House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to release the N200 billion approved for key projects at the apex maritime training institution.
Hon Khadija Abba- Ibrahim, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration made the appeal when the management of NIMASA appeared before the Committee for the 2025 budget defence. To drive home her point, the Committee reminded NIMASA that it was aware that the approved project fund is contained in the agency’s 2025 revenue target of N774.66 billion.
Dr Kevin Okonna, Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
In his presentation, Chudi Offodile, the agency’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration who stood in for the Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola explained that when federal remittances funding, maritime fund contributions and other deductions are made, N264.96 billion would be available for operations.
He listed freight levies, offshore waste management, sea protection and ship registration as primary revenue sources, alongside new gains expected from automation, the rollout of a modular floating dock, amongst other economic and financial prospects.
Speaking on the budget performance for 2024, the executive director disclosed that actual collections for last year amounted to N370 billion as against the projected N467.4 billion which stands at 79% performance rate.
“Recurrent expenditures reached 87% of budgeted allocations, while capital spending stood at 51% implementation,” he said.
While drawing NIMASA’s attention to what the committee described as significant fiscal shift in the remittance of 50% of its IGR to the federal treasury, Hon Abba -Ibrahim described the development as “a significant departure from the previous policy that allowed the agency to retain all IGR”.
The committee expressed concern on the need to double the revenue target in view of the N97 billion shortfall recorded in 2024. It also expressed worries on the observed rise in personnel costs, from N42 billion in 2024 to N73 billion in 2025.
The committee wondered how NIMASA plans to implement ₦89 billion in capital projects when 50% of its revenue would be deducted at source.
In his response, the NIMASA Executive Director, Finance and Administration explained that budgets are mere projections which depend on economic variables. He attributed the ambitious 2025 targets to anticipated oil production increases, enhanced revenue automation, and what he referred to as operational scale-up.
“We are confident that with better systems and strategic partnerships, we can meet these targets,” he assured.
Maritime Agencies
NPA Berths Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel,”MV OCEAN DRAGON,” To Boost Incountry and Regional Trade,
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), 2nd July, 2025, berthed “MV Ocean Dragon”, the first wholly Nigerian-owned container vessel.
The craft with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number 9508770 which belongs to Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited has a capacity of 349 Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units (TEUs) and demonstrates a concerted investment drive by the NPA aimed at reaping the gains of cost and time- saving benefits of short-sea shipping by plying in-country maritime trade routes across Nigeria and the West African sub-region. It offers an efficient alternative to road transport as the Authority’s efforts at deepening multi- modalism in transportation is being realized.
The vessel is scheduled to operate across West Africa and beyond, servicing ports in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Egypt, South Africa and others, with expressions of interest for businesses already being established.
As stated by Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director/ CEO of the NPA: “this development is a testament to our relentless commitment towards deepening efficiencies required for maximizing our marine and blue economy potentials in line with the prompting of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola whose tenacity of purpose culminated in the recent FEC approval of the national policy on Marine and Blue Economy”.
Speaking about the development too, the Vice President of Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, Bernadine Eloka, described the acquisition of the vessel as a bold solution to the high-risk, road-dominated movement of cargoes within Nigeria. It signifies a strategic move to deepen regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Clarion Group, she stated, aims to offer more efficient intra-African shipping services while opening up new business opportunities across ports in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and beyond.
“We acquired MV Ocean Dragon to offer a seamless alternative to container haulage by road. Rather than struggling to move containers from Lekki to Onitsha, Port Harcourt, or Calabar by trucks, Ocean Dragon can move up to 349 containers by sea and deliver within two days from port to port,” Eloka said.
According to her, enforcement of the cabotage regime would encourage local investment, create jobs, and reduce Nigeria’s dependency on foreign-owned shipping lines.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Clarion Suncity Terminal Logistics Limited, Mustafa Mohammed, said the company would take aggressive steps to compete with global giants such as Maersk Line and MSC, by leveraging its status as Nigeria’s first indigenous shipping liner, investing in assets that directly support Nigerian exporters and importers, particularly in the landlocked regions.
He said the company had already secured bookings for 1,300 export containers and is helping farmers and manufacturers to avoid losses caused by delays and lack of containers.
This development is coming on the heels of the announcement by the NPA MD of injection of 60 million USD in fresh investments towards the establishment of eco-friendly ports developments catalyzed by the Authority’s renewed orientation towards Nigerian content development.
Dangote Lauds NPA’s One-Stop Shop Committee, Donates Coaster Bus To Ease Operations
Release Approved N200bn Capital Projects Fund To MAN, Oron, House of Representatives Charges NIMASA .
NPA Berths Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel,”MV OCEAN DRAGON,” To Boost Incountry and Regional Trade,
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY BERTHS FIRST WHOLLY NIGERIAN-OWNED CONTAINER VESSEL.
HALF-YEAR REVENUE DISPOSITION: Apapa Customs Hits N1.38Trillion, Confiscates Prohibited Goods Worth Billions.
PORTBIZNESS Celebrates Excellence in Customer Service Delivery, Holds Special Awards Night
Kebbi Customs Command Introduces Health Screening, Mandatory Sports To Ensure Work-life Balance
CG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.
Container Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS: FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ups the Ante, Confiscates Bulletproof Vests, Cannabis Sativa,etc, worth N1.2bn
INLAND WATERWAYS SAFETY: Oyetola Flags Off 3,500 Life Jacket Distribution Campaign in Lagos.
Dangote Hits Another First, Named “Most Admired African Brand” in Addis Ababa.
NPA Secures Approval to Dredge Lekki Deepsea Port Channel To 19 Metres
Apapa Customs , International Network and NDLEA Collaborate to Confiscate Unregistered Pharmaceuticals.
Nigeria Hosts French Ambassador, Seeks Support for Her IMO Council Membership Quest.
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MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
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Photo News: Salah Celebration
MUAZU SAMBO: Showcasing Nigeria’s Maritime Potentials At The Global Arena
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BENIN SEAPORT UPDATE: Edo State Government, Host Communities, Conduct Bidders To Inspect Project Site.
MARAN Salutes DCG Adeniyi On His Elevation As Customs Comptroller-General.
WAR AGAINST OIL THEFT: Tompolo’s Company Nabs VLCC Laden With Crude Oil
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SIFAX GROUP: Ojeniyi Becomes Sky Capital GMD, Omajuwa Strategy Director.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoCG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoPORTBIZNESS Celebrates Excellence in Customer Service Delivery, Holds Special Awards Night
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoKebbi Customs Command Introduces Health Screening, Mandatory Sports To Ensure Work-life Balance
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Maritime Agencies3 days agoNPA Berths Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel,”MV OCEAN DRAGON,” To Boost Incountry and Regional Trade,
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Maritime Agencies4 days agoHALF-YEAR REVENUE DISPOSITION: Apapa Customs Hits N1.38Trillion, Confiscates Prohibited Goods Worth Billions.
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Maritime Agencies4 days agoNIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY BERTHS FIRST WHOLLY NIGERIAN-OWNED CONTAINER VESSEL.
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Maritime Agencies4 hours agoDangote Lauds NPA’s One-Stop Shop Committee, Donates Coaster Bus To Ease Operations
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Maritime Agencies5 hours agoRelease Approved N200bn Capital Projects Fund To MAN, Oron, House of Representatives Charges NIMASA .