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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

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‎As a leading maritime nation in West and Central Africa and a gateway to the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria has continued to play a pivotal role in advancing maritime safety, regional security and ocean governance.  ,
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‎Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola made the remark  in Abuja, Wednesday, while enlisting the support of France in Nigeria’s bid to clinch a seat in Category ‘C’ of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council later in 2025.
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‎In a release signed on behalf of the Minister by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Media and Communications Adviser, Oyetola  stated that Nigeria’s membership in the IMO Council would boost her contributions to international maritime regulation and sustainability, especially at a time when global collaboration is critical to addressing the complex challenges facing the world’s oceans.
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‎The Minister spoke while  receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Marc Fonbaustier,during  a visit that underscores the deepening maritime and diplomatic relations between both countries as Nigeria intensifies her campaign for election into Category C of IMO Council, an ambition the Minister firmly anchored during the meeting.
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‎ Accompanied by Ms. Alice Ellenbogen, Political Counsellor at the French Embassy in Nigeria, the Ambassador was in the Ministry to discuss Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming World Oceans Day celebrations and the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled to take place in Nice, France between June 8 and 13, 2025. Minister Oyetola is scheduled to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the event on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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‎Oyetola informed the French envoy of the recent approval of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council, a new policy.provides a comprehensive framework to guide the sustainable development of Nigeria’s marine resources, stimulate economic growth, create jobs while promoting environmental protection. He explained that the policy aligns with the global ocean agenda and supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 which seeks to conserve and sustain the use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
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‎The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s landmark achievements in maritime security, particularly in combating piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that through coordinated initiatives such as the Deep Blue Project and enhanced inter-agency collaboration, Nigeria has eliminated piracy incidents, transforming the Gulf of Guinea into a more secure maritime corridor for international shipping and trade.
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‎Discussions also focused on Nigeria’s active participation in the forthcoming World Oceans Day and the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference. Building on the outcomes of the first two editions in 2017 and 2022, the third conference, to be co-chaired by France and Costa Rica, will convene under the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.”
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‎The conference in Nice is expected to generate concrete commitments and mobilize science-based solutions and financing towards the sustainable management of marine ecosystems.
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‎ Nigeria, Minister  Oyetola reiterated, is ready to contribute meaningfully to the conference. He stressed the country’s commitment to global cooperation in advancing ocean health, maritime security and blue economy innovation. He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing Nigeria at such a critical global forum.
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‎In response, Ambassador Fonbaustier praised the decision of President Tinubu to participate in UNOC3 through the leadership of Minister Oyetola. The Ambassador noted that France looks forward to Nigeria’s robust engagement at the conference and to furthering bilateral cooperation in marine sustainability, security and development.
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‎The meeting marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s maritime diplomacy and underscores the strategic importance of international collaboration as nations prepare to convene in Nice to chart a new course for the future of the ocean.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

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‎Going forward, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin will interconnect a trade system known as SIGMAT to efficiently  manage the movement of goods on transit along the West African corridor.
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‎Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced this at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post,  Monday, while officially launching the
‎deployment of SIGMAT connectivity between the two neighbouring West African nations.
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‎”SIGMAT is aimed at digitalizing and harmonizing Customs transit operations across our member-states,” the CGC told attendees at the event which included key stakeholders and his counterpart from the Beninoire Customs Service, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi.

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‎”The concept was conceived over a decade ago and the electronic platform was designed to achieve these objectives.
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‎”Primarily, we want to improve the visibility of goods in transit. We want to combat diversion and fraud along the Abidjan-Lagos Highway Corridor.
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‎”We also want to use the platform to foster inter-agency coordination and collaboration between us.
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‎He told stakeholders that the trade initiative will simplify procedures at the borders and by so doing, reduce delays.
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‎ The two countries, the  CGC disclosed, intend to use the platform to foster inter-agency coordination and collaboration between both nations while  addressing cross-border issues affecting the two Customs Administrations.
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‎SIGMAT is Nigeria’s strategic ambition to align with regional digital customs standards and to modernize the globalization of trade portfolio.
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‎CGC Adeniyi added that in the near future, the two nations will be able to  deploy SIGMAT to additional border locations, particularly in places like Idiroko, and others.
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‎”We will look forward to strengthening bilateral communication mechanisms to ensure timely technical engagements between our agencies and our institutions”.
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‎”And most importantly, we want to make sure that trade fosters revenue and prosperity. We want to enhance trade facilitation between our two countries”.
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‎In her  intervention, the Director General (DG) of the Benin Republic Customs Administration, Madame Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi said that the platform would go a long way in reducing delay and enhancing trade facilitation between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
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‎”The technical launch for the SIGMAT platform, which is a very important milestone for the cooperation and the interoperability between Benin and Nigerian Customs, because it will facilitate the move of the goods and also will help our customs services to fight against any fraud, to have an exclusivity in collecting revenue and also facilitate trade.
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‎”The system will really solidify and facilitate the move of the goods from Abidjan, which is already in the SIGMAT system from Abidjan, all the way to Benin and then to Nigeria, and also when goods are coming from Nigeria to use the corridor, SIGMAT”, Madame Zanouvi concluded.
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By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and relevant security agencies, is undertaking a three-day full-scale clean-up and sensitization operation at the Lagos port corridors.

Tagged “NPA Security Clearance Operations, 2025,” the operation aims to tackle the various issues hindering smooth operations at the ports and pave the way for a better future of greater port efficiency.

The extensive exercise involves clean-up operation beginning from all entry approaches to the Tin Can Island Complex, Lagos Port Complex, Kirikiri Lighter Terminals I & II, and the entire port environs.

The goal is to clear out criminal elements, miscreants, hoodlums, shanties, kiosks, machinery, equipment, and containers that obstruct the free flow of traffic and pose a threat to the safety of personnel, cargo and vessels.

This initiative is also in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) measures developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure the safety and security of ports worldwide.

Flagging off the exercise, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho said, “the Ports access roads and environs are international corridors, and the gateway to the national economy. We have a duty to enter into necessary collaborations to ensure sanity is maintained”.

“The operations will not only improve the safety and security of the ports, but also contribute to the economic growth of the nation. The congestion and delays caused by these issues have been a major hindrance to the efficient functioning of ports, affecting trade facilitation and ultimately, the nation’s GDP”.

Dr Dantsoho who was represented at the three-day exercise by Mr Anthony Edosomwan, General Manager, Security, said to ensure the success of the clean-up operation, the NPA’s security division had previously carried out print and electronic media enlightenment campaigns to sensitise the public on the importance of the exercise.

“This is a crucial step in garnering support and cooperation from all stakeholders, including port users, traders, and residents in the surrounding areas,” he stressed.

The Managing Director further said that the Authority remains unwavering in its commitment to achieving environmental sustainability and maintaining a clear and safe port environment.

“Indeed, the negative impact of pollution and encroachment on the ports cannot be ignored. This clean-up operation is not only beneficial to the ports’ operations but also to the surrounding communities and the environment as a whole,” he added.

Dr Dantsoho noted that the NPA’s Security Clearance Operations 2025 is part of the broader initiative aimed at tackling congestion issues and pave the way for a more efficient and sustainable future for Nigeria’s ports.

He stated that by collaborating with relevant agencies and carrying out necessary awareness campaigns, the NPA is seeking public collaboration.

“Management, therefore, calls on all and sundry to support and cooperate with this clean-up operation for a safer, more secure, and environmentally-friendly port environment”, he concluded.