Maritime Agencies
LEKKI FREE PORT & TERMINAL: We’re Unique, Not Competing With Other Ports, Says Commercial Manager.E
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFPT) recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari is now properly positioned to serve as a huge employment provider even as it is set to return Nigeria to the status of a cargo trans-shipment hub in these shores, a position which she lost to neighbouring countries’ ports years ago.
The Port is the first of its kind in cargo operations in Nigeria as it has secured brand-new automation machines to move 30 to 35 containers per hour.
It is out to operate top notch world- class terminal operations where stakeholders are guaranteed value-added services while investors are assured of worthwhile returns on investment. So far, about $100 million has been invested to procure cargo-handling equipments for smooth operations and rewarding customer services.
Kehinde Olubi-Neye, the Chief Commercial Officer, stated this Wednesday, at the Port Complex in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, during a media parley organized by the port to intimate her stakeholders on plans and projections.
Talking about local content he said it is an entrenched policy as Nigerians are well represented from the management cadre down the line. Among the staff, he said, foreigners are not up to 1%.
One of the major mandates the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) handed to the Port, he announced, is to return Nigeria to the trans-shipment status she lost to neighbouring countries’ ports over the years and maintain same, going forward.
Transshipment refers to the process of a mother vessel dropping or trans-shipping cargo and containers at designated ports on its route as it sails to her final destination.
Lekki Port can serve as a trans-shipment hub to other ports especially in the eastern area and the land-locked nations as it offers great solutions for hinterland networks.
To overcome fears about accessibility, massive progress is being made on roadworks, Olubi-Neye assured.
Inefficiency in the system, unfriendly business practices and low draught level of Nigerian ports contributed to Nigeria losing this status as importers saw need to divert cargoes to other ports.
Already, Lekki Free Port Terminal has the equipment and a draft of 16.5 metres to make the needed difference among other ports.
LFPT boasts of a truck park with holding capacity of 150. “As long as we have an uptake in volume, they will be utilized”.
“We had the opportunity of sitting with the Managing Director of NPA where he reiterated that the Lekki Port should get this cargo and ensure that the transshipment status taken away from the country returns.
He added that NPA regulates prices and is interested in ensuring the cargoes come back.
“We are sure they will provide us with the necessary support,” he enthused.
On seamless movement of trucks around the port vicinity, he assured that the company was conducting truck and driver registration to ascertain the ownership and physical fitness of trucks that come to the port to lift cargo.
“Our gates are automated and are linked with our vehicle booking system where truck drivers are required to book appointments in advance.
“It is also available on mobile phones and provides visibility on gates transactions.
“This also supports the initiative of the Lagos State Government with regard to the comprehensive call-up system for the Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Port, Dangote Free Zone, Dangote Refinery, and the Pinnacle Oil and Gas.
“We are in discussions with the Lagos State Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders on the deployment of the call-up system for the Lekki area and we have confidence that the call-up system for trucks will address concerns prospective port users will have over access to the port,” he said.
Olubi-Neye also commended the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government for road construction around the ports.
He disclosed that LFPT is collaborating with the Barge Owners Association of Nigeria (BOAN).
“We’ve started executing barge operations and this is working. We’ve been able to do significant barge moves totalling over 900 TEUs from Lekki Port to Ikorodu area”.
On concerns about scanners to ease operations, Customs operatives are training to operate the two available for now.
Other entities who took out time to make presentations included the NPA, the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Nigeria Police.
In his remarks, Ikechukwu Onyemekara who represented the NPA Managing Director acknowledged that the support of the NPA is evident. He pledged that NPA would continue to support LFPT and fast-track the actualization of every assistance needed.
The DSS stated that it has been there from the scratch and would ensure round-the-clock security at all times.
The NEPZA represented by the Zonal Administrator, Garba Hayatu, said her task is to provide a congenial business environment for operators. The Free Zone, he explained, is an affirmative policy of government to diversify revenue generation beyond oil and gas.
The Police said beside the regular force, on ground round-the-clock are the EOD (anti-bomb) and the Police Mobile Force.
“We’ve been on ground to secure personnel and operations here.”
The Port explained that satisfying stakeholders remains her priority. There are robust plans to engage and steadily interface with them for mutual benefits.
On corporate social responsibility, the Port said it is targeting employment of the locals.
“There’s a conscious effort on CSR.”
Areas of focus for assistance include vocational training, infrastructure development, community health, etc. These impactful programmes are going to be in phases.
On business rates, the Commercial Manager said they remain competitive. Truck turnaround time is 40 minutes while cargoes can be released as soon as documentations are completed.
“We’re very competitive with our rates; we’re here to collect global maritime trade in Nigeria. We are unique and not competing with any other port.”
“We are on a journey. I can assure you that our customers are a priority to us. They will always be the first for us and at every point in time, we will regularly engage them,” the Commercial Manager concluded.
Maritime Agencies
Nigeria Canvasses Regional Co-operation, Investment Drive at Liberia Fisheries Summit.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
H. E. Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, is pushing for stronger regional co-operation and increased investment in the fisheries sector across West and Central Africa.
According to a release by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Communications, the Minister made the call in Monrovia, Liberia, Monday, while speaking at the National Fisheries Investment Conference, March 30 to 31, 2026. The conference which was declared open by Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, was attended by Ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from across the West African subregion.
Describing the gathering as timely, Oyetola said it provided an important platform to unlock opportunities in fisheries and the wider blue economy. “This Conference comes at a critical time for our region,” he said, noting that the sector remains central to food security, employment and economic growth.
According to him, millions of people across West and Central Africa depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, while fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein. However, he warned that the sector continues to face serious challenges.
“Despite our rich marine and inland water resources, the sector continues to face significant challenges,” he said, citing declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.
Dr. Oyetola emphasised that addressing these challenges requires a clear focus on sustainability, investment and regional collaboration. He stressed that without proper management of marine and inland resources, long-term gains would be impossible.
“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed… without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved,” he stated.
He said the the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key drivers of the blue economy. He explained that policies aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports and strengthening regulation are already delivering results, including continued access to international markets for shrimp exports.
He also highlighted broader reforms in Nigeria’s blue economy, including actions to tackle marine pollution, improve port infrastructure and enhance maritime security. According to him, the country’s recent record of zero piracy incidents has helped improve investor confidence in the Gulf of Guinea.
On investment, the minister called for greater funding across the entire fisheries value chain including aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics and export development. He noted that with the right policies in place, the sector could generate jobs, particularly for young people, and contribute significantly to economic growth.
He also underscored the importance of regional co-operation, pointing out that fish stocks cut across national boundaries.
“No single country can tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing alone,” he said, adding that stronger collaboration through regional bodies such as the FCWC is essential.
In his role as Chairman of the FCWC Ministerial Committee, Oyetola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening joint efforts in fisheries governance. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including a regional record of fishing vessels, coordinated patrols and information-sharing systems aimed at improving enforcement and sustainability.
The minister further noted that the FCWC is working to harmonise fisheries policies among member states and promote trade within the region, with the goal of improving value chains and attracting investment.
Maritime Agencies
PORTS MODERNIZATION, NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW TO TACKLE PORTS CHALLENGES, Says NPA MD.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has, once again, reiterated plans to revolutionize the nation’s ports system with the implementation of the National Single Window Project and Ports Modernisation system.
The Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this during an interactive session with maritime journalists in Lagos.
Represented by Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the Agency, the MD said the modernisation project will cover all seaports ports nationwide. However, the project is set to kick off in Lagos ports with a significant investment of $700 million from the Federal Government.
He allayed concerns being expressed in some quarters that the eastern ports are excluded from the 746 million pounds ports modernization deal signed in the UK recently, assuring that the deal would involve ports nationwide on phases. He stated contrary to opinions being canvassed and fears being expressed on the fate of other ports, the case of Apapa and Tincan ports is understandable because ports business is international and the customer decides where his cargoes go. NPA is merely an umpire; the port users’ interests and preferences remain paramount.
The ports modernization process is expected to tackle pressing issues such as port congestion and delays in cargo clearance which have long plagued the sector.
According to Dantsoho, the NPA is also working to improve logistics, including rail transportation from APMT terminal and alternative cargo transport options.
The NPA is reviewing the Efficiency, Throughput, and Optimization (ETO) initiative put in place to address logistics chain challenges in the country’s port system. The review, Dantsoho assured, would yield a more effective implementation plan with provisions to ensure the ETO works seamlessly.
”When we were doing the dredging, the ports in the East were also carried along,” he said.
Government investments are focused on areas with returns on investment which is why Lagos is the starting point.
The NPA MD expressed optimism that the agency’s vision for the ports industry would leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
He urged the media to play a proactive role in monitoring societal developments, emphasizing the importance of a free and vibrant press in driving progress and accountability.
”The media has been advised to be creative and step up its role as watchdog of the society,” he concluded.
Maritime Agencies
Oyetola Welcomes EU Delegation, Urges Stronger Role Against Illegal Fishing, Maritime Crimes in the GoG.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A call has gone out for deeper collaboration with the European Union (EU) to address emerging maritime threats, particularly illegal fishing, trafficking and environmental crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the call in Abuja,Thursday, while receiving a delegation from the EU Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project. Evolving security challenges in the region, Oyetola emphasized, require a broader, more integrated and sustained response anchored on strong international partnerships.
According to a press release by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Communications, the delegation led by Ms Stéphanie Vergniault, is in Nigeria as part of an independent assessment of the EU-funded initiative, which supports maritime coordination and information sharing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Dr. Oyetola reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, describing it as a vital platform for regional cooperation, collective response and intelligence exchange. He noted that EU-backed interventions such as GoGIN II have played an important role in strengthening this framework, particularly by enhancing maritime domain awareness and facilitating closer collaboration among national and regional agencies.
The Minister acknowledged the impact of the YARIS information-sharing system in improving coordination among maritime stakeholders, while stressing the need to sustain and optimise its operational use. He also highlighted the importance of improving interoperability between regional centres and national institutions, alongside continued capacity building and technical support.
Pointing to Nigeria’s own efforts, the Minister cited the success of the Deep Blue Project, which has contributed to a significant reduction in piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea in recent years. The progress recorded, he said, demonstrates the effectiveness of combining national ownership with regional and international support.
As the GoGIN II programme nears completion, the Minister urged stakeholders to focus on consolidating its achievements and ensuring long-term sustainability through stronger regional ownership mechanisms. He stressed that maintaining the gains recorded would be critical to securing the maritime domain and supporting economic activities across the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier, Ms Vergniault explained that the evaluation seeks to assess the programme’s performance, operational results and sustainability, while identifying lessons that could shape future maritime security initiatives. She noted that the mission, which also includes Captain Alioune Diop, is engaging key stakeholders in Nigeria to gather operational feedback on the use of the YARIS platform, the programme’s contribution to coordination under the Yaoundé Architecture, and the prevailing challenges in the maritime sector.
Nigeria Canvasses Regional Co-operation, Investment Drive at Liberia Fisheries Summit.
PORTS MODERNIZATION, NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW TO TACKLE PORTS CHALLENGES, Says NPA MD.
Oyetola Welcomes EU Delegation, Urges Stronger Role Against Illegal Fishing, Maritime Crimes in the GoG.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoApapa Customs Hits Smugglers Hard After CGC’s Visit, Intercepts ₦3.398 Billion Codeine Syrup In 5 Days.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoMAN, Oron, Pushes Actualization of Her Mandate Beyond Nigeria, Seeks Strategic Partnership with Liberia Maritime Training Institute
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoINTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 2026: NIMASA Commits To Women Inclusion in Maritime Sector.
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