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TRADE FACILITATION: Nigeria And Benin Customs Deploy SIGMAT To Address Diversion And Fraud

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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena





‎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.

‎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.

‎”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.



‎”The concept was conceived over a decade ago and the electronic platform was designed to achieve these objectives.

‎”Primarily, we want to improve the visibility of goods in transit. We want to combat diversion and fraud along the Abidjan-Lagos Highway Corridor.

‎”We also want to use the platform to foster inter-agency coordination and collaboration between us.

‎He told stakeholders that the trade initiative will simplify procedures at the borders and by so doing, reduce delays.

‎ 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.

‎SIGMAT is Nigeria’s strategic ambition to align with regional digital customs standards and to modernize the globalization of trade portfolio.

‎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.

‎”We will look forward to strengthening bilateral communication mechanisms to ensure timely technical engagements between our agencies and our institutions”.

‎”And most importantly, we want to make sure that trade fosters revenue and prosperity. We want to enhance trade facilitation between our two countries”.

‎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.

‎”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.

‎”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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Maritime Agencies

Capt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference. ‎ ‎

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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena




‎Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.

‎As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”

‎Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.

‎With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

‎He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.

‎Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.

‎In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.

‎Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

‎Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .







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Maritime Agencies

Ports Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.

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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena






‎The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.

‎Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

‎The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

‎Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.

‎He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.

‎According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.

‎In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.

‎She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.

‎The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.

‎She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.

‎Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.

‎The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.

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Maritime Agencies

‎New MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.

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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena





‎Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

‎The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions  on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.

‎The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”

‎The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.

‎Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

‎Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.

‎The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.

‎He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.

‎“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.

‎Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.

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