Maritime Agencies
EXPORT TRADE: AMATO Decries Sabotage of Port Entry Protocols By Operators, Restates Need For Automation.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has expressed concerns that efforts being made to grow Nigeria’s export trade and encourage exportation through automation are being brazenly thwarted by unscrupulous exporters and transporters in the business trade, reports say.
According to Adeshina Ajibola, AMATO’s Head of Research and Development, the whole essence of encouraging export trade stands to be rubbished if the trucking system to access and exit the ports are not automated.
“Once there is any loophole for abuse, trust Nigerians, they will take advantage of it to the point that racketeering will now come in and this is why AMATO has been pushing for full automation of truck movements in and out of the ports.”
He regrets that when the export process is left open, there is a free-for-all and the tendency for abuse is enhanced. What is currently being experienced for import cargoes will also be seen in the export process.
There are indications that the nation’s export trade is currently being threatened
As some unidentified exporters and transporters have devised means to undermine the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the movement of export cargoes to the port from designated Export Processing Terminals in Lagos, established rules and regulations governing port entry are being circumvented without taking into account the consequences on due process and the economy.
This development, findings show, has led to congestion of Export Processing Terminals in the princit of the Lagos Ports as cargoes meant for movement into Apapa ports are currently stuck at these approved Terminals.
Reports suggest that unscrupulous exporters may be working to sabotage the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) initiated by the Nigerian Ports Authority through sidestepping the official protocols for port entry.
This development, Vanguard gathered, has disrupted the operation of the approved EPTs in Lagos as exporters that comply with the protocol for port entry have had their cargoes stuck as they are not regularly called into Apapa port due to the activities of exporters that operate outside established protocols.
The unauthorized movement of export cargoes outside established protocols typically takes place under the cover of night. Under special arrangements and compromise, several government officials at Eleganza Roundabout in Apapa allegedly oversee such unauthorized operations.
Vanguard’s investigation reveal that trucks carrying export goods now occupy the service lane at the Sunrise end of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Commercial Road, opposite Guaranty Trust Bank all the way to Mr. Biggs Junction, as well as Creek Road, turning it into a waiting area, truck park for night movement of cargo to the Lagos Port Complex.
Vanguard further gathered that movement of export cargoes into the ports was caused by an approved ETP that is far from the port corridors.
This particular ETP, it was gathered, admits in their facility and exit trucks into port in virtual circumvention of the call-up system instituted by the NPA, a development that is at variance with the Standard Operating Procedure through which trucks are admitted into the port.
Admitting trucks virtually is also against the established process through which NPA makes requests from EPTs for export truck and container manifests before such cargoes enter the ports in a regulated manner.
The seamless movement of export trucks into port, it is observed, has been managed for a long time until about a month ago when the ugly trend of bypassing the SOP started.
The Task Force constituted by the Nigerian Ports Authority to manage the movement of this category of cargoes has been overwhelmed by the situation.
The Task Force, it was gathered, has begun to turn these illegal trucks back to wherever they were coming from. But these trucks would always find their way to the established export lane on Wharf Port access road.
This is because the compromised government officials at Eleganza Roundabout keep allowing them to come back to export cargo lane and eventually gain access into Apapa port.
Reacting to the development, the Apapa Port Manager, Mr. Debo Lawal, denied the suggestion that many trucks that enter the port may have not been manifested. No truck gets access to the port without a manifest, he added.
However, this does not distract from the reality that many trucks access the Apapa port without manifest following the trending irregularities.
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By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigeria Association of Women in Journalism (NAWOJ), Lagos Chapter has honoured veteran journalist, Hajia Hadiza Omowole, as Iconic Woman of the month for November.
This is contained in a release in Lagos jointly signed by Mrs Jumoke Falayi-Johnson and Mrs Anu Thomas, NAWOJ Chairperson and Secretary respectively.
Falayi-Johnson described Omowole as a true beacon of excellence, resilience and compassionate leadership, noting her selfless dedication to mentoring young journalists, empowering grassroots women and advocating gender equity..
Omowole’s tenacity, she stated, dedication to service and visionary leadership beautify the world. She described her as Mother-General whose pioneering spirit leaves indelible mark on journalism profession and society generally.
”Omowole holds Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from University of Benin and Master’s in Media, Culture and Technology from University of Bedfordshire, UK, spanning over three-decade distinguished journalism career.
”The veteran journalist joined News Agency of Nigeria in 1992, rising steadily through editorial ranks serving as Senior Editor, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and now Managing Editor and Head of Lagos Operations,” Falayi-Johnson said.
She noted that beyond editorial leadership, Omowole served two historic terms as National President of NAWOJ from 2014 to 2020, becoming first president re-elected, championing welfare and advancement of women journalists nationwide.
Through community specialist work, counselling and initiatives supporting rural and needy women, Omowole continues to serve as an inspiring pillar of guidance for the association and media industry.
The entire NAWOJ Lagos family celebrates Omowole’s unwavering commitment, pioneering spirit and incredible service to humanity, collectively wishing her more success in journalism, leadership and humanitarian endeavours ahead.
Omowole remained actively involved in institutional engagement, public communication, youth development and advocacy for health, child development and gender equality across Nigeria.
In her remarks, NAWOJ Lagos Secretary, Mrs Anu Thomas, noted that the association proudly recognised outstanding contributions of Omowole to journalism, women empowerment and leadership development in Nigerian media landscape.
Falayi-Johnson reiterated association’s pride in celebrating Omowole, describing her enduring legacy as an inspiration for upcoming female journalists and a testament to excellence in media leadership nationwide.
Maritime Agencies
Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ Hits Smugglers Hard, Confiscates 23, 220 Matchettes, Other Contrabands Worth over N6.19bn.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller O.O.Afeni has extolled the importance of intelligence-driven enforcement, improved surveillance, risk-based examination, stricter compliance checks and stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies in anti-smuggling operations.
Deputy Comptroller Afeni stated this in Lagos, Tuesday, during his maiden press engagement since assumption of duty.
Between September 30 and November 3, he announced, the Unit recovered ₦683.66 million following enhanced compliance checks, stricter scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under-valuations and issuance of demand notices.
195 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and restricted goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.19 billion, he explained, were foiled following four weeks of intensified enforcement operations
Seizures made, he stated, included 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 3,028 bags of imported rice weighing 50 kilogrammes each, 995 bags of 25 kilogrammes, 104 bags of 20 kilogrammes and 207 bags of five kilogrammes.
Others were 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, 23,220 pieces of new matchets, 1,236 used tyres, 21 foreign-used vehicles and 1,250 cartridges of Red Star 12-calibre ammunition.
Other seized items included 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup; 400 grammes of cocaine; 100 grammes of methamphetamine; 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC numbers; 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products; and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Additional interceptions comprised 101 bags of imported sugar weighing 50 kilogrammes each, 12 bags of Grain Oat products weighing 25 kilogrammes each, eight bags of imported creamer powdered milk weighing 25 kilogrammes each, eight live pangolins, 20 cartons of couscous, 33 used rims and one 40-foot container, number SEG U5347239, containing 2,760 pieces of office chairs in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) form.
Eleven means of conveyance were also intercepted.
Deploring the quantum of narcotics intercepted and the risk on public health, Afeni cited the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2025 which identified cannabis as the most available and widely used drug which accounts for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
He said the interception had helped prevent the circulation of dangerous substances and their associated social and health consequences.
He gave kudos to the NDLEA, Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Army, DSS, NAFDAC, NESREA and other sister agencies for their collaboration.
Afeni assured compliant importers, licensed customs agents and other members of the trading public that the Unit would facilitate legitimate trade but would not tolerate duty evasion, false declarations or activities that threaten national security.
He commended the Customs Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for the confidence reposed in him, while praising officers of the Unit for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty.
Members of the public, he requested, owe Nigeria a duty to report suspicious activities and support lawful trade even as he warned smugglers and economic saboteurs that Customs is ever prepared to disrupt their networks for the overall interest of the nation.
Maritime Agencies
Oyetola, Omatseye, Akabogu, Other Dignitaries To Attend Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists Unity Conference in Lagos.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Come November 13, 2026, the Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ), an umbrella body of all maritime journalists, will convene her Unity Conference.
Venue is the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
This is contained in a release jointly signed by Dele Aderibigbe and Jerry Aguigbo, NNMJ’s President and Publicity Secretary respectively.
The Conference is aimed at bringing together maritime industry regulators, policymakers, outstanding industry leaders and other stakeholders to examine the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Key themes include a special focus on the performance, policy direction and operational efficiency of the maritime industry under the new Marine and Blue Economy Ministry with particular emphasis on port modernisation, empowerment and training programmes, trade facilitation and revenue generation.
Barr Temi Omatseye
The Special Guest of Honour is HE Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy while the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the conference.
Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, is billed to deliver the keynote address.
Emeka Akabogu, SAN
The event whose theme is “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue” is expected to provide a platform for constructive engagement among government officials, maritime professionals and private-sector operators on practical strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry. It will also role out ways and means to maximise the contributions of the Ministry and the sector to national economic growth.
Key areas of discussion will include the modernisation of seaports and the renewal of critical infrastructure, improved trade facilitation, enhanced ease of doing business, revenue growth and measures to curb financial leakages.
Participants will also examine opportunities for expanding the marine and blue economy, creating employment, strengthening maritime safety and security, and improving the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Dele Aderibigbe, President, NNMJ
The conference is also expected to reinforce the role of the maritime media in promoting accountability, providing informed industry analysis and advancing constructive engagement on policies and reforms affecting the nation’s marine and blue economy.
The event tagged the Unity Conference enables the NNMJ to encourage informed dialogue, strengthen collaboration among public and private-sector stakeholders, and promote policy initiatives that will enhance port efficiency, facilitate legitimate trade, improve revenue performance and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ Hits Smugglers Hard, Confiscates 23, 220 Matchettes, Other Contrabands Worth over N6.19bn.
Oyetola, Omatseye, Akabogu, Other Dignitaries To Attend Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists Unity Conference in Lagos.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoLekki Port Customs Confiscates 400kg of Suspected Cannabis Sativa Worth over N2.26bn, Hands over To NDLEA.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoOgun 1 Customs Hits Smugglers Hard 15 Days into New Leadership, Intercepts N3.15 bn Contrabands.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNAGAFF President, Chief Ezisi, Visits PTML Customs, Urges Deepened Customs-Freight Forwarders Partnership.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago2026 World Maritime Day: Nigeria Subscribes to Safer Waterways and Excellence.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoDredgers’ Body Disowns Report Alleging Extortion Against Lagos Commissioner Alebiosu, Cardoso.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoSCAN SUMMIT, 2026: Conversion to Earn Higher Interest Rates, the Bane of the CVFF, Omatseye says.
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Maritime Agencies12 hours agoOUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP: NAWOJ Lagos Honours Omowole, NAN’s Managing Editor.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoOyetola, Omatseye, Akabogu, Other Dignitaries To Attend Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists Unity Conference in Lagos.