Maritime Agencies
THREE YEARS AS NIMASA DG: Jamoh and His Exploits
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
March 10, 2023, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR, was three years in office as Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). To mark this, the agency’s Public Relations Team articulated his landmark achievements. Falcon Watch Online joins to do a special focus on Bashir Jamoh at three, x-raying specific areas his three-year tenure has made a difference plus a couple of other issues stakeholders expect him to focus on as he runs out his full tenure at the apex maritime agency.
As a home grown industry person, Dr Jamoh , on appointment, did not find it hard to quickly articulate areas of focus where special attention is needed to make a difference. These he dubbed the 3S: maritime Safety, maritime Security and Shipping development.
PIRACY & KIDNAPPING IN GoG
Nigerian waters form an integral part of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). Nigerian waters and the entire GoG now enjoy a drastic reduction in piracy, incidences of kidnapping and other maritime crimes which hitherto made seafaring in the area a nightmare. In 2020, for instance, 130 cases were recorded; in 2021, it was 57. There was none throughout 2022. The commendable zero incidents of 2022 are even being witnessed as Q1 of 2023 rushes to lapse.
At this rate, stakeholders say, Nigeria now stands to do without payment of Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI) premiums and other charges introduced on account of piracy and other crimes on waters.
THE DEEP BLUE PROJECT
In June 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the deep blue project. The implementation has brought a marked reduction in maritime crimes because the Team NIMASA under Jamoh applied what can be described as a multi-sectoral approach in an attempt to address nagging problems. The agency struck new levels of strategic collaborations with regional countries and other global shipping nations with huge trade interest in the GoG.
Deep Blue Project assets include Marine Assets: Special Mission Vessels 2 (DB Abuja and DB Lagos), 17 Fast Intervention Boats. Air Assets: Special Mission Helicopters 3, Special Mission Aircrafts 2, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Land Assets and 17 Armored Vehicles.
Other facilities are – Command, Control, Computer, Communication and Intelligence (C4i) Centre, Training Facilities (Shooting Range, C4i Training Centre etc.) Various training were organized for all personnel in the deep blue project on how to operate the assets and facilities.
The Deep Blue Project Assets were classified into 3 (three) with over 254 personnel drawn from military and paramilitary organizations. These are Marine, Land and Air Assets.
MARITIME SECURITY:
SPOMO ACT
Before 2019, the nation didn’t have a separate law to try offenders and criminals arrested in piracy and kidnapping. Therefore, Jamoh pushed for a formal legislation and the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Related Offences (SPOMO) Act was signed into law by Mr. President in June 2019. As of today, under the SPOMO Act, the agency has secured convictions. This has also served as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
Implementation of the SPOMO Act led to better partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies within and outside to gainfully explore ways and means to attain peace in the GoG region. The success of this approach enabled Nigeria’s delisting from the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Red List as well as the International Bargaining Forum’s (IBF) Unsafe Waters List.
To further deter these criminalities on the waterways and make the youths gainfully employed, the Agency engaged the Marine Litter Marshals.
REVENUE GENERATION
Since Dr Jamoh mounted the saddle in 2020, NIMASA has paid over N100billion into the federal government coffers. Between January 2020 to June 2022, N99, 944,345,082 was remitted to the federal government, records say.
SEAFARERS DEVELOPMENT
Under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), NIMASA has enrolled 2,041 student cadets since inception in 2009.
The number of officers so far trained is 656. While 625 cadets have obtained their Certificate of Competence (CoC), 31 others qualified as Naval Architects. While 360 cadets have completed seatime and are awaiting CoC, 351 have been assigned to MTIs and awaiting seatime; 120 withdrew with10 deceased.
STAFF WELFARE
Dr Jamoh inherited a staff condition of service which was reviewed last in 2010. Realizing the critical role a well-motivated workforce plays in maintaining a productive organization, he went on to secure an upward review of staff condition of service so as to increase commitment and efficiency on their part.
MARITIME SAFETY
At the end of the last quarter, 2021, the Federal Government approved the removal of wrecks from Badagry channel up to the Tin Can Island. In the first quarter of 2022 also, Government approved the removal of wrecks in Western zone in Lagos, Eastern zone in Port Harcourt and central Zone with headquarters in Warri. All these projects have achieved major milestones.
NIMASA engaged the Nigerian Navy Naval Dockyard in Lagos to repair operational vessels, Millennia 1 and Millennium 2. Today both vessels and five others are almost ready for deployment for enforcement purposes. This will also enhance search-and- rescue operation, port and flag state administration, amongst others.
In order to attend to the emergencies that may occur after a Search and Rescue Operation, the Agency has built two brand new Search and Base clinics of international standard at Azare Crescent, Apapa and Kirikiri.
“We are hopeful to commission them soon. The hospital is not for NIMASA or Nigeria, but original Regional States. NIMASA is in charge of nine countries in terms of Search and Rescue. The hospital is of high international standard where we hope to treat all caliber of patients locally and internationally with the state-of- the-arts equipments when completed, NIMASA says.
“In the area of Flag and Port State Administration, at the inception of the administration, there was no single vessel for enforcement in the past. Today, we have built seven brand new bullet proof boats and we expect them to have completed the building. They are being built in Spain, and we are hoping that before the end of March, we will receive and commission the vessels. As soon as the vessels are commissioned, there will be enhanced enforcement performance; and we plan to divide the use of the vessels not only in Lagos, but also to other zones of the Agency. All these will cater for the issue of safety.”
MARITIME TRAINING
In the area of education, the Agency introduced the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). The Nigerian NSDP development program is a capacity development programme.
In order to ensure that Nigeria’s major maritime training institution is not relegated to the background, NIMASA has improved her interface with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron. The Agency’s statutory funding of the MAN Oron has been on point since 2020.
Currently, MAN Oron has Simulators, among other state-of- the- art facilities, and the funding by NIMASA has been unhindered. This is in addition to other private maritime institutions such as Charkins. They are now also coming up with a lot of accreditation of diplomas and other short-term certificate courses that are being done locally, thus, saving foreign exchange.
In addition to this initiative, the Agency created skills acquisition centres across the six geopolitical zones. For the South-West, one is in Lagos. In the South-East, there is one in Anambra; for South-South, there is one in Bayelsa. There is one in Maiduguri, Borno State, for North-East. For North-West, Kaduna has one while one is in Kwara for North Central.
So, these skill acquisition centers have the capacity of training younger Nigerians on different aspects of professionalism in the maritime sector. This idea is to help keep the youths busy thereby stemming the volume of criminality in the territorial waters. Records show that from the third quarter of 2021 till date, one single attack has not been recorded on the territorial waters.
SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT
The critical aspect of shipping development encompasses fleet expansion, shipbuilding and ship repairs. Shipping is responsible for over 90 percent of international transportation of goods that sustain the global supply chain, which is a significant component of the global economy, enhancing import and exports of goods and services.
NIMASA is poised to advance shipping by ensuring a conducive environment for commercial shipping and encouraging more indigenous participation in the global shipping trade.
LAST LINE
No doubt, Dr Jamoh’s scorecard at three years is impressive. But certain areas still yearn for attention as he inches towards the end of his first tenure as NIMASA Director General.
As some industry watchers say, it has become necessary to raise the standard of Nigerian Certificate of Competency (CoC) by inviting United Kingdom and American maritime authorities for a facility and faculty assessment visit to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, especially now that basic STWC training equipments are in place. Their observations and recommendations have to be noted and painstakingly followed.
Steps should be taken to possibly meet whatever standards the visitors may prescribe and recruit internationally recognized facility members and trainers for MAN.
Nigeria should sign a MoU with the UK and US authorities to recognize and accept Nigerian CoCs after meeting all the prescribed standards.
Nigeria should put on ground a two-year internal re-evaluation arrangement to ensure that attained standards are not compromised but improved upon in line with the expectations of modern navigation and global maritime trends.
There are expectations that Nigeria should look inwards and train more people at home at lesser costs but with higher chances of working onboard any seagoing vessel anywhere in the world with NIMASA CoC.
Nigeria should consider migrating beyond the present near-coastal voyage (NCV) of certification to certifying masters and chief engineers while constantly re existing MoUs.
NIMASA should work towards improving Nigeria’s ship registry to attract more registrations perhaps beginning with the fleet under the Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG) whose vessels fly foreign flags.
Till date, illegal poaching of fishes and other aquatic products by foreigners flourish on Nigerian waters with little or no control. Over 40% of global Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing occur in Africa out of which the GoG accounts for a sizable portion. Jamoh and NIMASA should be able to capture IUU fishing as a maritime crime under its tripod and explore avenues to curb the menace.
For now, many NSDP training beneficiaries remain without jobs. More opportunities should be created for them and others awaiting seatime when indigenous ship-owners have access to fund ship acquisition.
Maritime Agencies
Topfield College Clinches Overall Position as Customs’ WASA Sports Event ends in Lagos.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The competition which was organised by the Western Marine Command in collaboration with the Apapa Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), saw 380 students from 10 secondary schools compete in various sporting events including football, table tennis, scrabble, basketball and chess.
Drawing a curtain on the tournament, the Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, said the various events competed for by the young lads showcased talent, teamwork and character building.
Beyond classroom experience, the students were given an opportunity to imbibe the art of sportsmanship, personal development and other innate potentials.
Ntadi who noted that the sports arena was established through the vision and commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose passion for youth empowerment inspired the initiative said:
“This arena reflects the belief that investing in young people goes beyond academics. It is about nurturing character, promoting sportsmanship and creating opportunities for children to discover and develop their talents” .
The Customs Area Controller commended teachers, parents, officials and organisers for their support throughout the competition, noting that their diligent inputs led to a successful 5-day tournament.
The overall medals winner Moses Chibuike from Topfield College.
He hoped that future editions of the championship would attract more schools, more sporting events and more opportunities for young athletes.
As the competition came to a close, Topfield Secondary School swept the medals table with 107 points to emerge overall winner. Gaskiya College finished second with 43 points, while Pathfinders Path Joe School secured third position with 35 points.
Dorcas Memorial College placed fourth with 28 points, followed by El-Leanora College with 26 points. Rock Foundation College earned 18 points, GIF College recorded 15 points, Hope Springs College finished with 13 points, Cardoso College secured 10 points, while Caro Favoured College ended the tournament with nine points. Moses Chibuike of Topfield College became the overall medals winner in the personal category.
That every competitor won at least one medal during the competition, Ntadi stated, shows the students participated in games and tournaments that were inclusive.
He congratulated all 380 students for their performances and praised spectators for attending massively to cheer them up.
Speaking through his representative, Deputy Comptroller Thomas Jonah, the Acting Controller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun commended the Western Marine Command for providing a platform that positively engages young people.
He urged the students to remain focused and disciplined, stressing that dedication, perseverance and hard work remain essential ingredients for success in sports and life.
In his submission, Onasanya Agbolabo, the techical director of the event said the championship featured 10 sporting events involving eight private schools and two public schools.
He highlighted the impressive performances of several athletes, including Sandra Abutu in table tennis, Anita Akinbami and Zodij Blessing, noting that Sandra Abutu also distinguished herself during the football final. He commended the Western Marine Command for erecting such an impressive sporting arena for the good of not just the Command but for the populace.
Agbolabo Onasanya, Technical Director (left) and Jenmi Richard, Sports Coordinator (right).
In his remarks, the Baale of Ebute-Ibafon, Chief Kayode Hassan, who represented the Oba of Iwa Kingdom, Oba Maroof Oluwa, described the championship as one of the most impactful youth-focused programmes hosted in the community.
He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Nigeria Customs Service for bringing the competition to the area, noting that it not only engaged young people positively but also demonstrated the capacity of local communities to host quality sporting events.
The 2026 edition of the WASA competition ended with medal presentations, celebrations and renewed calls for sustained investment in youth and grassroots sports development.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As part of the reform and modernisation agenda being championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to build a transparent, technology-driven and globally competitive 21st-century Customs Service, the Port & PTML Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a sensitization programme for officers and key stakeholders ahead of the introduction of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Nura Miko, announced this in Lagos , Tuesday, during a stakeholders’ workshop held at the Command.
He announced that PTML Command
was selected as the second pilot command for the nationwide implementation of the ECTS following the successful deployment of the initiative at the Apapa Area Command. He explained that the selection recognises PTML’s critical role in trade facilitation and national revenue generation.
Miko noted that the movement of cargo under transire to bonded terminals, other Customs commands, and Free Trade Zones has traditionally depended on physical escorts by Customs officers. However, increasing trade volumes have made the practice inefficient, resulting in operational delays and pressure on personnel.
He explained that the Electronic Cargo Tracking System will provide real-time GPS monitoring of cargo from its point of departure to its final destination, issue instant alerts in cases of route deviation or seal tampering, optimise manpower deployment, and strengthen revenue assurance through improved cargo monitoring.
The system is also expected to benefit stakeholders by speeding up cargo clearance, reducing demurrage costs, lowering the cost of doing business, and enhancing transparency through continuous Customs monitoring of consignments.
“This workshop is designed to familiarise stakeholders with the procedures, responsibilities, and expectations under the Electronic Cargo Tracking System,” Miko said. “I encourage everyone to support this initiative to ensure a smooth and successful implementation.”
The workshop brought together Customs officers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, terminal operators, and other private sector stakeholders.
Participants commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and the NCS management for advancing the digital transformation of Customs operations across the country.
Maritime Agencies
AfCFTA: Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin To Establish Joint Customs Strategic Steering Committee on Beitbridge Communique.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria has described lessons from the Beitbridge and Chirundu Border Posts in Zimbabwe as a huge reinforcement and an illustration of the importance of coordinated institutional frameworks, digital integration and collaborative leadership in transforming Africa’s trade corridors.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, stated this, Monday, during the adoption of the Joint Communique in Zimbabwe following a fact-finding mission.
He described the benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa as a strategic opportunity for African customs administrations to move beyond discussions on border reform and embrace practical implementation of modern border management systems.
The mission which brought together Nigeria ‘s Adewale Adeniyi alongside Mr Fongod Nuvaga, Director General of Cameroon Customs, Mr Raouf Aboudou, Director-General of Benin Customs, Mrs Lonto Ndlovu Acting Commissioner Customs and Excise in the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), as well as Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited was organised with the support of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as part of ongoing efforts to deepen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Beitbridge has demonstrated that border modernisation is not merely about infrastructure development. The most important lesson for us is that sustainable reform depends on coordinated institutions, clear accountability, digital interoperability and professional human capital. We are leaving here with a renewed commitment to translate these lessons into practical solutions that will strengthen trade facilitation, security and economic growth across our region,” Adeniyi said.
The five-day mission featured technical sessions, facility tour and executive briefing by various border agencies in Zimbabwe. The benchmarking technical team comprising the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cameroon Customs Administration, Benin Customs Administration, Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited and Bsmart Technologies.
The customs Chiefs were briefed on the Beitbridge Modernisation and Concession Model which included its financing structure, operational framework, revenue management systems and coordinated border governance architecture.
Participants also undertook extensive tours of the freight terminal, cargo processing facilities, scanning operations, traffic segmentation systems and integrated ICT infrastructure designed to support seamless border operations. The engagements provided participants with firsthand insights into how technology, institutional coordination and performance management have transformed one of Africa’s busiest border crossings into a model for efficient trade facilitation.
According to the Joint Communiqué signed by the participating customs administrations, the mission was conceived within the broader continental effort to facilitate trade across West Africa and between West and Central Africa. The document identified the Sèmè-Kraké corridor linking Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as the Mfum-Ekok corridor connecting Nigeria and Cameroon, as strategic routes that stand to benefit significantly from the implementation of coordinated border management and One-Stop Border Post arrangements.
Also speaking during the ceremony, Director-General of the Cameroon Customs Administration, Fongod Nuvaga, emphasised the importance of collective action in improving trade corridors across the continent. He observed that customs administrations must work together to remove procedural bottlenecks that hinder legitimate trade while maintaining effective border controls. According to him, stronger regional cooperation will enable African countries to fully harness the opportunities created by the AfCFTA and accelerate economic integration across the continent.
Similarly, Director-General of the Benin Customs Administration, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, noted that the lessons from Beitbridge offer practical pathways for improving border efficiency within West Africa. He stressed that harmonised procedures, coordinated risk management systems and stronger institutional partnerships will be critical to achieving seamless trade movement across regional corridors. He added that sustained collaboration among neighbouring customs administrations remains essential for delivering measurable improvements in trade facilitation and revenue assurance.
Earlier, Director for Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion at Afreximbank, Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, highlighted the significance of the benchmarking exercise as part of the Bank’s broader strategy to support trade-enabling infrastructure across Africa. He explained that the objective was not simply to showcase physical infrastructure but to expose participating administrations to the governance structures, operational models and institutional reforms that underpin the success of modern border posts. “Infrastructure is important, but what truly drives performance is an operating model built on accountability, coordination, technology and measurable service standards. Those are the lessons we hope will be replicated across strategic corridors on the continent,” he said.
The mission concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué committing Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin to establish a Trilateral Strategic Steering Committee to drive implementation of the recommendations arising from the visit. The three customs administrations also pledged to pursue harmonised procedures, digital interoperability, coordinated risk management systems and sustained investment in personnel development.
Topfield College Clinches Overall Position as Customs’ WASA Sports Event ends in Lagos.
ECTS: PTML Customs Mounts an Awareness Campaign
AfCFTA: Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin To Establish Joint Customs Strategic Steering Committee on Beitbridge Communique.
TRANSQuest MAGAZINE @ 21: With Huge Maritime Endowments, Stakeholders Warn, Nigeria Can’t be Poor, Government Must Realign Her Priorities.
CSR: Customs CG Hosts Apapa Students in Sports, Pledges Sponsorship for Outstanding Young Athletes.
Disaster Imminent in Apapa as Widening Cracks Overtake Liverpool-Marine Road Junction. ………. Stakeholders Send SOS to Government.
Tochukwu Ezisi, NAGAFF President, Bags RATTAWU’s Logistics Excellence Award.
Oyetola Vows to Strengthen Local Capacity, Innovation, Responsible Investments As STARZS Celebrates 40th Anniversary.
NCDMB Hails STARZS @ 40, Reiterates Objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010.
OPERATION WHIRLWIND: Customs Auctions 20,500 Litres Of Confiscated PMS, NMDPRA Warns Against Products Diversion.
Jumoke Oduwole, Industry, Trade and Investments Minister, Commends STARZS at 40, Tasks African Trade Ministers on AfCFTA.
Apapa Port Customs Seizes Cannabis Sativa Worth over N26.5bn
STARZS INVESTMENTS COMPANY LTD: 40 Years of Private Indigenous Initiative, Shaping Nigeria’s Maritime Future.
Starzs Group Emphasizes Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility, Urges Government to Strengthen Education Infrastructure.
STARZS CEO Commissions School Projects, Champions Environmental Protection and Tree -Planting to Mark 40th Anniversary.
Starzs’ 40th Anniversary : Group’s CSR Will Rewrite Our Story, Benefitting Communities Say.
ABUJA MoU: WE FUNCTION BEHIND A MASK, says Capt Umoren
1. EXECUTIVE PLATFORM. AMES 2024: TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IS NOW, AMES President Charges FG.
2023 ELECTIONS：CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process
B’ODOGWU TRADE PORTAL: Customs Consolidates, Pilots Form ‘M’ Processing.
APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
JANUARY-MAY REPORT: Seme Customs Hits N2.6bn, Facilitates ₦35.1bn Exports.
HALF YEAR, 2024: Apapa Customs Nets ₦1.024 Trillion, Records 143% Increase.
B’Odogwu: Apapa Customs Collects ₦161b in 3 Weeks, Assures of Improvements .
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
Photo News: Salah Celebration
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
Mama Theresa Enisuoh Due For Burial April 27
MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
Adesuwa Ladoja Becomes MD/CEO, Lagos Free Zone.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoJumoke Oduwole, Industry, Trade and Investments Minister, Commends STARZS at 40, Tasks African Trade Ministers on AfCFTA.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoApapa Port Customs Seizes Cannabis Sativa Worth over N26.5bn
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNCDMB Hails STARZS @ 40, Reiterates Objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoSTARZS INVESTMENTS COMPANY LTD: 40 Years of Private Indigenous Initiative, Shaping Nigeria’s Maritime Future.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoOPERATION WHIRLWIND: Customs Auctions 20,500 Litres Of Confiscated PMS, NMDPRA Warns Against Products Diversion.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoOyetola Vows to Strengthen Local Capacity, Innovation, Responsible Investments As STARZS Celebrates 40th Anniversary.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoTochukwu Ezisi, NAGAFF President, Bags RATTAWU’s Logistics Excellence Award.
-
News1 week agoDisaster Imminent in Apapa as Widening Cracks Overtake Liverpool-Marine Road Junction. ………. Stakeholders Send SOS to Government.