Maritime Agencies
MAMAL 2025: Ogbeifun Salutes President Tinubu on the new Marine Ministry, Tasks MARAN To Follow Up Her Resolutions
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Engr Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman, Starzs Investments Company Ltd has expressed excitement over the establishment of a separate ministry to superintend over and pay closer attention to the huge potentials in the Marine sector.
He was speaking in Lagos, Wednesday, at the third edition of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) annual lecture tagged ‘MAMAL 2025’. Recalling the consistent advocacy in this regard by him and other concerned stakeholders especially when he functioned as the pioneer President of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), he hailed President Tinubu for harkening to the voice of reason by establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Ogbeifun who chaired the event with the theme ‘Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade,’ gleefully announced his return from retirement following the creation of the new ministry to enable him continue his invaluable contributions to the sector.
Talking about war risk insurance premium on Nigeria’s maritime trade, he expressed deep concern about the absence of Nigerian-owned vessels among those visiting the ports and paying the controversial premium.
He queried: Where is the fleet representing Nigerian identity and interests in the comity of vessels that visit Nigerian ports?
”Let’s get up and be the ones carrying our cargoes globally in our own ships,” he insisted.
”We must take our destiny in our own hands, participate in shipping and be able to lend our voice in determining war risk insurance issues
.”
He cautioned that going forward, MAMAL and similar industry gatherings must not be mere talk shops. Serious resolutions and agreements adopted must be presented to government for consideration in moving the sector forward. MARAN should constitute an implementation team to follow up with the authorities on the measurable outcomes and this should be the fulcrum of discussions in the following year.
By next year when another edition of MAMAL would be hosted, he advised, MARAN should be able to present current statistics on the status of the war risk insurance issue on the nation’s maritime domain based on discussions and resolutions the previous year.
There should be collaboration with relevant organs of government and other stakeholders to effectively see what needs to be done to move to the next stage in discussing war risk insurance premium.
Also speaking at the occasion, Barrister Temisan Omatseye, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) expressed dissatisfaction that the Joint War Risk Committee in London is charging a zero point two five percent on every vessel that gets five degrees east of the Lagos harbour, which means that, anytime a vessel enters the area towards Delta, Port Harcourt or Bakassi, there is a fee being charged and that fee goes up to zero point six five percent whilst in Pakistan, where there is serious attacks, only zero point two five percent is charged.
The reason for this, according to him, is that Nigeria had lost her eyes “on the ball”.
For now, Omatseye noted, Nigeria is the centre of attractions to the world with the Dangote Refinery producing thousands of barrels of petroleum products daily. With the BUA Refinery, the upcoming one in Ogun State plus other modular refineries which would produce for exports purposes, Nigeria is going to be a net exporter of petroleum products to the world and there is the need to adequately find lasting solutions to the lingering issues of war risk insurance premium on Nigerian importers and exporters.
In his goodwill message, the current Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Deputy Director, Reformed Coordinator Deep Blue Economy, Mr Victor Iloh, commended MARAN for bringing the topical issue to the fore, as it has become a problem bothering on national security and trade policies.
He explained that Nigeria’s statutory geographical position in the Gulf of Guinea, exposes her to maritime insecurity driven by piracy, armed robbery attacks and geographical conflicts, leading to the imposition of war risk insurance premium.
Significant progress has however been made in securing the nation’s maritime domain with no recorded incident in the last four years which he noted, has been attributed to Nigeria’s integrated maritime security architecture, known as “The Deep Blue Project”, which was inaugurated in 2021 and the deployment of Maritime Assets on both land, sea, air and intelligence, to secure the Nigerian waters. This led to the enactment of the Suppression of Piracy and other related Maritime Offences “SPROMO Act” in 2019 and since 2020, two major convictions of pirates have been secured by the Federal High Court.
According to the NIMASA DG, Nigeria’s maritime security safety led to her being de-listed by the International Maritime Bureau from the list of piracy- prone zones in 2021 and the commendations of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) re – enforced the achievements.
He also stated that the IMB Forum removed Nigeria’s name as a high risk maritime zone in 2023 while constant collaboration with other maritime regional bodies had contributed significantly towards reducing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea waters.
Despite all these recorded milestones of improved maritime security, he stated, the impact of war risk premium on the Nigerian economy has continued to be enormous.
” It sounded regrettable that Nigerian Importers and Exporters have paid over five billion dollars worth of war risk insurance premium over the last three years.”
He placed on record that in addressing the problem, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola and the Management of NIMASA had held diplomatic and stakeholders engagement with the Chattam House, FIMCO and other developments partners such as the Danish Government and the IMO towards discussing the strategic milestones recorded by Nigeria in driving maritime security and the need to leverage on those to remove the war risk insurance premium on Nigeria-bound cargoes.
While these engagements are still ongoing, the main focus is still on sustaining the recorded milestones.
The NIMASA boss said the call for the removal of war risk insurance premium is a collective action that must not be left for the government alone. All relevant stakeholders must be prepared to enhance their ability to understand the security threats as that would protect seafarers and promote safe and secure maritime operations.
Continuous engagement is the way to go, Dr Mobereola advised, until the much- desired results are achieved. He commended MARAN and the esteemed participants for such a great event which is hosted to discuss a major contributor to the high cost of goods which end up in individual homes.
Other goodwill messages came from the Executive Secretary of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, Captain Sunday Umoren and the President of the African Shipowners Association, Captain Adebowale others.
In his remarks, Frank Ogunojemite, President, African Association of Professional Licenced Agents, dwelt on the continuous surcharge of seven percent on cargoes at the ports and asked the Minister’s representative, Dr Bolaji Akinola to convey his concerns.
Maritime Agencies
NAGAFF Pledges Watertight Enforcement, Unveils A More Formidable 100% Compliance Team.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) which appeared inactive for over six months is now reformed and better focused to perform her duties strictly in line with her mandate.
The Team Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, disclosed this in Lagos, Friday, during the official unveiling of a new office complex at Eleganza Plaza, Apapa.
“Today, we commission the new secretariat of the 100% Compliance Team and we are ready to take this Team to a higher pedestal”.
He said that for over six months, the interventionist outfit went into some kind of hibernation to take a comprehensive review of internal issues especially concerning her operations and the overall conduct of her operatives with a view to performing better.
”From today”, he pledged, “you will start seeing the effects of a new Compliance
Team”.
On stakeholder concerns that some operatives of the Team do not live above board in their conduct even as it is said that he who goes for equity must come with clean hands, Tanko said among every twelve, there must be a Judas.
On the question of discipline, every society is made up of the good, the bad and the ugly, he posited
”We are doing everything possible to sanitise the system and to continue to maintain discipline”.
Tanko who promised that the Team is now ready to build into the training programme of the NAGAFF Academy said as part of the rebirth now unveiled, Customs Area Commands are now to support regular refresher courses for freight forwarders especially in the aspect of classification. He assured that going forward, the Team’s programmes and activities are to benefit from full digitalization.
He announced that the Team is set to acquire a new office in Port Harcourt which it plans to open come February. “We are working hand- in-hand with the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Anti-Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) to make Nigeria stronger. We shall also expand this new place to accommodate the TDI that will also hopefully open in February.”
Dr Boniface Aniebomam, NAGAFF Founder
Earlier in his post-inauguration remarks, NAGAFF Founder, Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam extolled the willingness of NAGAFF leaders to add value, describing it as the driving force behind the association. Those running the Compliance Team, he cautioned, must understand the limit of their position. “The saying ‘See something, say something’ is very observatory.”
” Do note that the Port is a Customs Port. If Customs has not released your cargo, do not make trouble until it is done; if it is released on the ground of expediency, also remember that other sister agencies are also there to intervene. The NAGAFF approach is centred on dialogue, communication, diplomacy and discussion.
Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, NAGAFF National President
NAGAFF President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi recalled that when the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team was inaugurated four years ago, the industry was at crossroads. There were compliance gaps, procedural inconsistencies even as operational shortcuts worked against efficiency and operational trust.
”Many wondered whether a single team could truly shift the culture of an entire industry.”
He said with the birth of the Compliance Team, the level of regulatory compliance among freight forwarders nationwide went up while infractions, delays, penalties and operational setbacks took the back seat.
He explained that strengthened collaboration with key government agencies, especially the
Nigeria Customs Service, promoted ethical conduct and professionalism and has contributed significantly to improved revenue assurance for the Federal
Government.
The Compliance Team has equally enhanced the reputation of NAGAFF as a responsible, forward-thinking, and compliance-driven organization.
Chief Ezisi set ambitious targets for the repositioned NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team to include full Digital Compliance Integration as the goal is to become the most digitally-compliant freight forwarding body in Nigeria.
The group is also out to reduce compliance infractions by 60% within two years through training, monitoring and proactive engagement even as institutional collaboration is enhanced.
”We must deepen our partnership with Customs, NPA, SON, NAFDAC, and other regulators to promote transparency, fairness, and predictability in port operations.
NAGAFF will also establish a National Compliance Intelligence Network to help detect detect risks early, identify patterns of malpractice, and protect members from avoidable pitfalls.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
For the umpteenth time, the Ports Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has made it clear that it remains a no-go area for unlawful trade under any guise.
As a Command, the PTML Customs has an unshaken commitment to implement the Revised Kyoto Convention, which is a World Customs Organisation (WCO) instrument for trade facilitation while using available manpower and technology to exercise the required control for import and export trade.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani stated this at the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Friday, while handing-over seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The seizures consist of five (5) pistols of different makes, one (1) Crossman pump master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, 51 9 mm Lugar live ammunition and four (4) 9mm magazines.
Others were forty (40) 9mm, NIM FC 30-30 blank and hollow ammunition and one hundred and eighteen (118) of 9mm empty shells.
”These arms and ammunition were uncovered in 25 different occasions by our officers during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 to 2025.”
”These seizures are a fallout of the collective due diligence of the Command and other sister agencies in the port.”
The handing-over, he explained, follows the approval of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR psc(+).
Present at the event was the South- West Coordinator, National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) and his entourage. Others were the Management of Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited, sectional heads and heads of other sister agencies.
He explained that under the NCS Modernisation Project which was pioneered by the PTML Command, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, has raised the bar for productivity.
”I am pleased to announce that this Command will receive scanners soon as part of the modernisation project and our capacity to detect concealments, like these arms and ammunition would be greatly enhanced.”
Appreciating the Command’s compliant stakeholders for their cooperation at all times, he described them as l part of the Command’s success story.
The CAC announced that two days to the end of January, 2026, the PTML Command collected a total revenue of ₦44,058,849,416.65. This figure surpasses N40,497,594,223.89 realized in January, 2025 by N3,561,255,192.76, marking an 8.8% increase in revenue.
On behalf of the CGC, Comptroller Joe Anani formally handed over the seizures to the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for appropriate action.
Maritime Agencies
WAR AGAINST KILLER DRUGS: Apapa Customs, NDLEA Collaborate To Nab Huge Quantity of ‘Canadian Loud’.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In her unwavering efforts to ensure that killer – drugs do not find entry into Nigeria, the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has, in liaison with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted a 347.5 kilograms of ‘Canadian Loud’ concealed in an imported Toyota Sienna car. The highly – valued substance is a potent strain of cannabis, ordinarily known as marijuana.
As stated in a press release by CSC Isah Suleiman, the Apapa Customs Command Public Relations Officer, the contraband hidden in 13 bags within one of four vehicles contained in a single consignment was discovered following a painstaking weighing exercise. A breakdown shows ten bags at 25kg each, one at 29kg, and two at 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, totaling 347.5kg.
This interception marks the fourth major joint drug bust by the Nigeria Customs, Apapa Command and the NDLEA in less than two months.
In his remarks, the Apapa Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba re-enacted his warning to criminal elements and their networks to keep off the Command as the Command is always ahead of them to exploit whatever antics they deploy to undermine national security via the ports.
“Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect our society and national security.”
He emphasized that under his watch, no cargo, whether import or export will pass through Apapa Port without thorough examination.
The operation also reflects the exemplary cooperation between Customs and NDLEA, championed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD. Intelligence sharing and joint tactical efforts have consistently outmaneuvered smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Oshoba credited this strengthened partnership for the success, noting that the upcoming deployment of a high-capacity drive-through scanner capable of processing 200 containers per hour will further revolutionize anti-smuggling operations.
Both agencies continue to operate under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that foster zero tolerance, professionalism, and seamless cooperation. In line with established protocols, the seized cannabis has been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects linked to the consignment.
This latest success builds on the recognition accorded to Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur, who were both awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit on January 26, 2026, in Abuja during the International Customs Day celebrations.
Oshoba further explained that the interception aligns with the 2026 ICD theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”
While Customs remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade, the CAC reaffirmed, it will intensify efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society.
NAGAFF Pledges Watertight Enforcement, Unveils A More Formidable 100% Compliance Team.
PTML Customs Hands Over Seized Arms and Ammunition, Collects N44.06bn in January.
NAGAFF Compliance Team Set to Relaunch for Stronger Engagement, Enforcement.
WAR AGAINST KILLER DRUGS: Apapa Customs, NDLEA Collaborate To Nab Huge Quantity of ‘Canadian Loud’.
Seme Customs Raids Hideouts, Impounds 200 Bags of Smuggled Rice, Collects N2bn 3 Weeks into 2026.
Lekki Deepsea Port: The Success Story of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
OGUN AREA 1 CUSTOMS: Suspected Armed Drug Traffickers Mount Barricades, Attack Officers. Two Personnel Critically Injured.
KLT Customs Surpasses 2025 Revenue Target By a Wide Margin, Clamps Down on Expired Imports.
Suspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
FG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
NIGER DELTA SECURITY : Tantita Arrests 4 Oil Thieves, Nabs Vessel .
Tincan Customs Achieves N51.8Bn Surplus Above 2025 Revenue Target
NSC Boss, Akutah, Speaks At Maritime Journalists’ Seminar, Harps on Developing Trends the Press Cannot Overlook.
NIGERIA’S IMO FEAT: NIMASA Hails Media Contributions, Seeks Support For Sustained Momentum.
1. EXECUTIVE PLATFORM. AMES 2024: TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IS NOW, AMES President Charges FG.
APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
2023 ELECTIONS：CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
B’ODOGWU TRADE PORTAL: Customs Consolidates, Pilots Form ‘M’ Processing.
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
INLAND WATERWAYS OFFERS NIGERIA ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE, Says Sambo
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
Photo News: Salah Celebration
WAR AGAINST OIL THEFT: Tompolo’s Company Nabs VLCC Laden With Crude Oil
BENIN SEAPORT UPDATE: Edo State Government, Host Communities, Conduct Bidders To Inspect Project Site.
Mama Theresa Enisuoh Due For Burial April 27
SIFAX GROUP: Ojeniyi Becomes Sky Capital GMD, Omajuwa Strategy Director.
-
Customs2 weeks agoFG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoSuspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
-
Customs1 week agoKLT Customs Surpasses 2025 Revenue Target By a Wide Margin, Clamps Down on Expired Imports.
-
Maritime Agencies6 days agoWAR AGAINST KILLER DRUGS: Apapa Customs, NDLEA Collaborate To Nab Huge Quantity of ‘Canadian Loud’.
-
Maritime Agencies1 week agoOGUN AREA 1 CUSTOMS: Suspected Armed Drug Traffickers Mount Barricades, Attack Officers. Two Personnel Critically Injured.
-
Maritime Agencies5 days agoNAGAFF Compliance Team Set to Relaunch for Stronger Engagement, Enforcement.
-
Maritime Agencies7 days agoSeme Customs Raids Hideouts, Impounds 200 Bags of Smuggled Rice, Collects N2bn 3 Weeks into 2026.
-
Customs7 days agoLekki Deepsea Port: The Success Story of the Nigerian Ports Authority.