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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎In a move aimed at creating a clear separation between port economic regulation, development and operations,  the  Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the transfer of the inland dry port (IDP) functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
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‎The Minister has also directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the newly established Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026.
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‎According to a statement issued in Abuja Thursday by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Minister’s Special Adviser, the directives are part of measures to establish a clear institutional framework for the new port economic regulatory regime to eliminate overlapping responsibilities and ensure that agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy operate within clearly defined mandates.
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‎The NPERA Act, signed by President Tinubu in August, formally establishes a substantive economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector, bringing to an end a two-decade wait for a dedicated statutory port economic regulator.
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‎With the enactment of the law, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which had operated as the country’s interim port economic regulator since 2014, transmutes into NPERA.
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‎Under the new framework, NPERA is expected to focus primarily on its core economic regulatory responsibilities, including the regulation of tariffs and charges, promotion of competition, licensing, service standards, commercial dispute resolution and protection of port users.
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‎Oyetola said the transition from NSC to NPERA provides an opportunity to establish a regulatory institution that is clearly separated from operational, developmental and promotional responsibilities.
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‎“We must get the transition right. The establishment of NPERA is a landmark reform, and the process of moving from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency must be carefully managed. The ministerial committee will provide the necessary oversight to ensure that the transition is seamless and that every function is domiciled in the appropriate institution,” he said.
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‎The Minister stressed that the credibility and effectiveness of an economic regulator depend, in part, on its ability to function as an impartial referee without being encumbered by responsibilities that could create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
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‎According to him, the Federal Government’s objective is to ensure that NPERA is allowed to concentrate fully on its statutory regulatory mandate, while functions that are operational, developmental or promotional in nature are transferred to agencies with the appropriate mandates and institutional capacity.
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‎“The emergence of NPERA marks a new chapter in the governance of Nigeria’s port sector. It is therefore important that the new economic regulator is freed from functions that are not compatible with economic regulation. A regulator cannot function as an operator and, at the same time, be expected to be perceived as an unbiased referee,” Oyetola said.
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‎He added that a clear separation of responsibilities would strengthen confidence in the regulatory framework, enhance transparency and create a more predictable operating environment for port users, investors, terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
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‎The Minister assured stakeholders that the transfer should not be interpreted as a reduction in the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of inland dry ports across the country.  Rather, he said, the objective is to strengthen the IDP programme by placing its promotion within an institution better positioned to integrate the facilities into the nation’s wider port infrastructure and operational network.
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‎“We are committed to strengthening the development of the Inland Dry Ports by placing their promotion within the agency with the appropriate operational and infrastructure mandate. The ultimate objective is to create a more efficient and integrated port system that serves the entire country,” Oyetola added.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd is inviting maritime stakeholders, government agencies, regulators, professionals, investors and other interested participants to the 11th International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference and Exhibition, as part of the Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK), 2026.
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‎The event whose theme is “From Policy to Practice – Powering Maritime Excellence,” holds September 8 to 10 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island and will feature top stakeholders from Nigeria and across the international maritime community.
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‎The theme  aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day 2026 with a focus on Africa. The event is designed to provide a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, business engagement and practical collaboration among stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
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‎As the organisers say, the event is  expected to move conversations from policy formulation towards practical implementation, collaboration and measurable outcomes for the growth and development of Africa’s maritime sector.
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‎Participants are availed opportunity to connect with key decision makers, explore business opportunities, exchange knowledge, build strategic relationships and contribute to conversations shaping the future of Africa’s maritime sector.
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‎LIMWEEK 2026 will is expected to provide opportunities for participants to engage in business-to-business interactions, networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration.The exhibition segment will also provide businesses and organisations with an opportunity to showcase their products, services, technologies and solutions to a diverse audience of maritime professionals, government representatives, investors and industry stakeholders.The programme will further feature mentoring and engagement opportunities for young people in the maritime industry, creating a platform for the next generation of maritime mm professionals to connect with experienced industry leaders.
‎A key component of the LIMWEEK 2026 programme is a maritime excursion scheduled for 10th September 2026 at NNS KADA.
‎This will provide participants additional opportunity for practical exposure and further engagement with Nigeria’s maritime and naval environment to complement the discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions of the conference.
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‎Speaking on the significance of the event, the  Chair of Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd, Barr Oritsematosan Edodo- Emore said with the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence and other innovations, Africa’s maritime industry and the blue economy must move to its next level.
‎”The conference will provide opportunities for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify challenges, explore investment opportunities and develop practical approaches to strengthening Nigeria’s and Africa’s maritime industry”.
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‎The conference will feature high-level participation from government, regulatory agencies, naval authorities, industry, academia and international maritime stakeholders.
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‎Keynote speaker is H.E
‎Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy while Ms. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan- Commission Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will deliver a lecture.
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‎Other speakers are H.E. lng. Jose Mba Abeso, The Executive Secretary Gulf of Guinea Commission; Ms. Olimotu Danso Malang, Director General, Gambia Maritime Authority; Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General, Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, Acting Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority and Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency.
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‎Others are Dr. Warren De Waegah, Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Town, South Africa and Alhaji Aminu Umar, President, Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency.
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‎Other special guests are Mr. Kingsley Igwe, CEO, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria; Ms. Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director, Starz Investments Company Limited; Theodora Nwaeze, President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA) Nigeria; Dr. Odunayo Ani, President, Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria and  Mag. (FH) Barbara Lehninger, Commercial Counsellor, Austrian Embassy; Mr. Axel Robin, Sectoral Attaché, French Treasury – Lagos Office; Lieutenant Commander Bryan Marek, U.S. Naval Attaché to Nigeria, Embassy of the United States of America and Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Chairman, Zoe Maritime Advisory Board.
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‎The conference will feature expert discussions and industry roundtables focusing on critical areas of maritime development. These will include Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea, Maritime Transportation and Port Development, Maritime Law and Arbitration, Marine Environment,  Maritime Training,   Education and Women in Maritime.
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‎The sessions will provide participants with opportunities to examine emerging challenges, share industry experiences and explore practical strategies for improving maritime governance, security, trade, investment and human capacity development.
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‎The various sessions will be moderated by experienced professionals drawn from the maritime, legal, economic and international relations sectors, including Ambassador Florentina Adenike Ukonga, former Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea    Commission, Vice Admiral Labinjo, Marina Law Chambers- Ogonnaya Emele, Legal Practitioner- Kashima Tsumba-Ozogun, Blue Economy Thematic Lead, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)- Lola Ikwuagwu, George Ikoli & Co.
‎Others are Honourable Olaitan Williams, Founder, Ocean Ambassadors Foundation and Gloria Kanabe.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Barely two weeks after the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service unveiled 399 pump-action riffles seized by the Tincan Island Port Command, the Service, Monday, showcased another set of 204 firearms concealed in a 20-footer container said to originate from Turkey.
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‎Announcing the latest seizure, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Timi Bomodi who stood in for the Comptroller-General, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the latest seizure became  possible with a combination of credible intelligence, sustained surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies.
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‎He told the press that the container numbered TEMU 184536/9 which arrived at the Tincan Island Port on August 16, 2026, aboard the vessel MV Algeciras Express was flagged for examination and subjected to a 100% physical inspection on August 18.
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‎According to the DCG,  the firearm components were concealed among declared household and other goods, including furniture, refrigerators, solar panels and detergent.
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‎Arising from  the discovery, the NCS Armament Unit worked jointly with experts from the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to assemble the knocked-down components.
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‎The assemblage resulted in the recovery of 204 MAS 49 Alter Magnum pump-action rifles, alongside several leftover firearm components.
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‎The recovered components included 54 barrels, 56 trigger groups, 56 springs, 56 pistol grips, 55 pistol grip screws, 58 locking lugs, 53 charging handles, 39 trigger pins, 38 forward grips, 67 forward-grip latches and two U-plates.
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‎Speaking at the event, DCG Bomodi who heads the Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection Unit at the Customs Headquarters, reiterated that the seizure demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.
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‎He added that the latest interception was another demonstration that the Customs Service is maintaining heightened surveillance against movement of illicit importation of firearms and other prohibited items through Nigeria’s ports and land borders.
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‎The CGC’s representative warned smugglers, arms traffickers and their collaborators that the Customs Service was becoming increasingly difficult to circumvent, stressing that risk management, intelligence, profiling, technology and collaboration among security agencies were being deployed to frustrate illegal importation.
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‎The Service , he explained, would not only focus on the physical seizure of prohibited items but would also pursue the criminal networks behind the consignments.
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‎“Our objective is to expose the entire chain involved in the illicit movement of firearms from the source and shipment to the intended destination and beneficiaries,” he said.
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‎He also urged members of the trading community, particularly clearing agents with information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending persons involved in arms trafficking, to come forward and provide such information as a patriotic duty.
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‎In his intervention,the Zonal Director, South-West Zone, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, CP Abiodun Alamutu (Rtd.), commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and continued partnership with the Centre.
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‎Alamutu noted that the successive interception of illicit firearms highlighted two critical realities: the determination of criminal elements to circumvent Nigeria’s security architecture and the increasing capacity of security agencies, particularly Customs, to frustrate such attempts.
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‎He recalled that only a few weeks back, the Tincan Island Port Command had intercepted and handed over 399 pump-action rifles to the NCCSALW.
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‎According to him, the repeated seizures demonstrated the need for sustained collaboration, effective information sharing and a unified commitment among security agencies.
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‎He assured that the firearms being handed over would be properly registered, secured and managed in accordance with national procedures and international best practices.
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‎Alamutu further pledged the Centre’s continued collaboration with the Customs Service and other sister security agencies to identify and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the illicit trafficking of arms into Nigeria.
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‎Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, TinCan Island Port Command, welcomed security agencies, senior officers and members of the media to the handover ceremony.
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‎The Controller said the repeated seizures demonstrated that the command remained vigilant and would not become a weak link in the enforcement of import prohibitions, particularly those involving items capable of threatening national security.
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‎He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for his leadership and support, as well as the NCCSALW for cooperating to identify and assemble the intercepted firearm components.
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‎The Customs Area Controller stressed that the exercise was not merely about the seizure of firearms but about protecting lives, safeguarding national security and ensuring that Nigeria’s seaports remain channels for legitimate trade and economic development rather than conduits for instruments of violence.
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‎DCG Bomodi later handed over the seized firearms and other components to the  NCCSALW for further action as per the law.
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