Maritime Agencies
CILT AGM, 2023: Aviation Minister, Gov Obaseki, Others Confirm Attendance.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) Nigeria holds her 2023 Annual General Meeting/National Conference at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, November 27 and 28.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, is the Special Guest of Honour while Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State will unveil a book entitled “Perspectives on Sustainable Innovation in Global Logistics and Transport.”
Other dignitaries expected include Teete Owusu Nortey, Ghanaian Transportation Minister and Dr Mrs Kema Chikwe, one-time Aviation Minister of Nigeria. The AGM will also witness the inauguration of the new CILT executive led by Mrs Mfon Usoro as a reelected President.
At a pre-conference webinar meeting in Lagos, Monday, Ms Adaora Nwonu, co-chair of the Conference Technical Committee, stated that CILT members are expected to pay a conference fee of N55,000 while non-members and young participants will register with N60,000 and N25,000 respectively. An excursion for which attendees would pay N8,000 per participant is incorporated into the conference programme to encourage a blend of outdoor sightseeing and recreation to serve as a creative link for academic and industrial practitioners.
Nwonu announced that there have been positive response for sponsorship from private and public organizations even as some companies have begun to promote the CILT brand.
For the participants, she added, the Conference is expected to provide value for money, networking and rewarding interactive activities. She assured that about 500 participants expected at the occasion will be availed the right facilities for seamless registration while a gala dinner takes place to wrap up the conference after the excursion.
Summarizing the preparations of the Logistics sub-Committee, Mr Jafaar Bello stated that adequate arrangements were in place to ensure seamless traffic and movement to and from the conference venue. Comfortable accommodation at discounted rates have been arranged for delegates in nearby hotels to the venue. The hotels can be accessed on the CILT website.
There will be a boat cruise and lagoon tour on November 28 to enable participants savour the rich serenity of Lagos city and the marine environment.
There will also be a light (metro) rail trip from Marina to Mile 2 and LASTMA, VIS, etc have been mobilized to facilitate stress-free movement.
To cater for healthcare needs of the attendees, arrangements have been made to have healthcare personnel and an ambulance for emergencies.
In her submission, the CILT President, Mrs Mfon Usoro, appraised the conference as of international standard. “The Conference is physical because we want to meet and interact with the participants. Registration is done online while Speakers will collect tags from the Moderator.” She advised participants to register online between November 20 and 21.
CILT, she recalled, is for logistics and transport as it traverses all modes of transportation. During the cultural night, delegates are expected to done their rich cultural attires. Discussion topics will centre on cross-border trade, regional integration, infrastructure development and management. The session will be led by an ECOWAS expert on trade, Prof Jonathan Aremu.
Mrs Usoro described the Conference venue as a 5- Star Hotel. “We’ve upgraded standards. Let’s try to register today or tomorrow”, she advised. Leadership in CILT, she stated, is now metamorphosing from the elderly to the younger members and that is the surest way to sustainability. While acknowledging the integration of the transportation modes, she urged transportation reporters to widely report and give wide content reportage to the Conference.
Dr Gidado, a contributor to the webinar dwelt on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the need to contact the headquarters in Ghana on issues concerning trade in Nigeria.
At the webinar, Prof Kayode Oyesiku who chairs the planning committee said the Conference theme is “Designing the Future of Transportation and Logistics in Africa”. The Conference holds in Lagos following the successes recorded at the 2020 edition, he recalled.
Prof Kayode Oyesiku urged members to register before the event as is the practice worldwide.
According to the Publicity Committee Chairman, Mr Bashir Ambi Mohammed, the unit has recorded healthy and robust public awareness in line with the mandate to create a positive public perception for the CILT. Following aggressive publicity, he said, over 400 registrations have been achieved. While hoping that registrations continue at the venue, he said the committee has been publicizing the Conference link and disseminating information to participants to register for the tour. He appealed for CILT’s membership upgrade at the Conference while the press in attendance should ensure robust and wide coverage.
Maritime Agencies
Suspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
All shipping companies, shipping agents, and terminals operating within Nigerian ports have been given marching orders to suspend and discontinue the implementation of any review or upward adjustment of their charges until they have fully engaged their stakeholders.
This is contained in a release by Rebecca Adamu, Head of Public Relations of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria’s Ports Economic Regulator.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council clarifies that the recent adjustment was approved strictly in accordance with her statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator in which case all tariff reviews were conducted in a transparent, structured, and well-defined regulatory process.
”These processes included detailed technical and consultative engagement with affected service providers aimed at examining the cost drivers, operational realities, investment obligations and regulatory compliance.”
”The engagements did not constitute automatic approvals; rather, they informed a broader evaluative process. Final determinations were reached only after rigorous internal, technical, and financial assessments guided by empirical evidence, regulatory benchmarks, and prevailing economic conditions.”
”Notwithstanding, shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders. As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations”, the statement warned.
The Council emphasised that transparency, fairness, and stakeholder participation are fundamental principles underpinning port economic regulation in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah (MON), further warned that the Council is empowered under its regulatory mandate to apply appropriate sanctions against defaulting operators, including enforcement measures provided for under relevant regulatory frameworks. He encourages constructive engagement, dialogue, and compliance.
Any service provider that proceeds with charge reviews without stakeholders’ engagement should be prepared to face decisive regulatory action.
He assured that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to protecting the interests of port users, promoting fair competition and ensuring a balanced and predictable business environment within the Nigerian maritime industry.
Customs
FG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The inauguration of a new Board for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Monday, sets a clear reform agenda for Nigerian seaports as reduced port costs and fair pricing now take centre stage.
Dr Bolaji Akinola, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, stated this in a statement.
At the event, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola charged the Board to focus on improving accountability in operations, reduced cost of doing business and strengthened regulation processes across the shipping sector.
The reconstitution of the Council’s governing structure, he stated, follows the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that good governance and repositioning of the Marine and Blue Economy should serve as a key engine of national economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Oyetola reminded the Board that as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, the Shippers’ Council is central in efforts to achieve efficiency, transparency and fairness in port charges and service delivery.
Robust economic regulation, the Minister maintained, is critical to lowering trade costs, protecting shippers and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness within the sub-region and beyond.
The Minister urged Board members to provide firm strategic leadership and effective oversight, insisting that regulatory decisions must translate into measurable outcomes, including improved port efficiency, fair pricing, and enhanced trade facilitation.
He called for seamless collaboration between the Board and the Council’s management, while assuring members of the Ministry’s full support in delivering their mandate.
Dr Ibrahim Shema, former Governor of Katsina State, is the Chair of the newly -inaugurated Board. Other members are Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Council; Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji (NACCIMA); Mr. John Aluya (MAN); Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins and Mrs Olufunmilayo Olaseinde.
Others are Dr. Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed (NNPCL); Hon. Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Mrs. Uzoamaka Okereke from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Dr. Shema thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and commended the Minister for his leadership of the sector. He pledged that the Board would uphold professionalism and integrity while supporting reforms aimed at improving port performance, strengthening regulatory effectiveness, and delivering tangible benefits to shippers and the national economy.
NSC serves as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, mandated to promote efficiency, transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in port operations, while safeguarding the interests of shippers and enhancing the country’s maritime trade environment.
Maritime Agencies
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL), the company in charge of security surveillance over oil and gas installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is in collaboration with Textron Systems Corporation, a United States–based defence and aerospace company, to supply her three advanced Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
TSSNL owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) disclosed the business deal in her website publication of December 29, 2025. The drones will be delivered in a fully ITAR-Free configuration.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without runways, utilising hybrid quadrotor technology that enables vertical takeoff and landing, as well as fixed-wing flight.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS, Textron Systems says, is a mature, industry-proven autonomous platform known for its high reliability and operational flexibility. Its dual-mode capability allows it to operate seamlessly in complex and high-risk environments, making it well-suited for security operations within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Giving further insight into the contract, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, David Phillips, said the deployment would significantly enhance Tantita’s operational capability.
”The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a proven solution that will enable Tantita Security Services to expand its capabilities to protect the oil and gas infrastructure essential to Nigerian security and prosperity,” he stated.
The Aerosonde platform has accumulated over 700,000 flight hours across some of the world’s most challenging operating environments, underscoring its reliability and performance.
Tantita Security Services is expected to deploy the systems to strengthen surveillance and protection of critical oil and gas assets across Nigeria.
The contract also includes options for operator training and the supply of additional aircraft to support future capability expansion. Textron Systems noted that the agreement builds on a previous Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract to Nigeria, further highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian security operations.
Textron Systems is a global leader in uncrewed air, land and sea systems, with the Aerosonde family of UAS currently supporting international customers and operations aboard more than 10 U.S. Navy ships. The company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a diversified multinational with interests spanning aviation, defence, industrial manufacturing and finance.
With multiple payload configurations and comprehensive training and support services, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS offers a versatile and efficient solution for security operations in demanding environments, reinforcing Tantita Security Services’ role in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure.
Suspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoOIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
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Maritime Agencies2 days agoSuspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
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Customs2 days agoFG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.