Maritime Agencies
Zoe Maritime Breakfast Meeting: NCDMB, NIWA, LASWA Discuss Maritime Logistics, Sustainability of Ocean Economy.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In furtherance of a mandate to champion local human resources input into operations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sectors, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has instituted the Nigerian Content Forum
However, the agency’s intervention in the maritime space has been challenging as she struggles with in-country value addition and pushback in efforts to make progress.
NCDMB Executive Secretary/CEO, Mr Felix Omatsola Ogbe stated this in Lagos, Thursday, during a panel discussion at the 2025 edition of the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting organized by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd with the theme ‘Maritime Logistics and Sustainability of the Ocean Economy’. Other dignitaries on the discussion included Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos Waterways Authority (LASWA), Engr Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine, Lagos Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Ruth Ikem Chukwukezirim, CEO, Global Energy & Logistics.
Mr Ajimijaye receiving a souvenir on behalf of NCDMB Executive Secretary/CEO.
Speaking through Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, General Manager, Research, Statistics and Development, the NCDMB boss referred to the $350 million intervention fund up for grabs by local shipping companies. Not less than 10 Nigerian companies, he explained, have accessed the facility.
“As a matter of fact, before I came here, I was speaking with one of those companies that have benefitted from our intervention. A good example is Starzs Group. They said they are very happy with what NCDMB has done to help them as a as a company. I know the MD, Iro Ogbeifun, a lady who is doing so fantastically well. That is one of those cases we talk about women empowerment. The company is doing well. Not only them, there are several others we are working with to deepen in-country value addition in the maritime sector.”
The fund which keeps growing is disbursed as a single digit loan businesses use and pay back. “This fund is being managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI). Every now and then, they provide a report to show how it is going.”
On collaboration with other agencies, Mr Ajimijaye said part of NCDMB’s mandate is to collaborate with NIMASA to deepen local content through the Nigerian Content plan which should be enshrined into every contract arrangement.
“You have to state what Nigerian Content plan you have now and what you plan to do. Even with manning vessels, you have to show what you have currently and how you want Nigerians to understudy foreigners and possibly integrate them into the system.”
“There is what we call the baseline census for the marine services sector. What this means is that for the companies which are into marine services in the oil and gas sector, we want to do a census, a survey. What is the capacity, the capabilities? How many vessels do they have? Who are the Nigerians there? Who are the foreigners there? What are they doing and what are their challenges? When we analyse the data, we do what we call a gap analysis and have a clear data-driven scenario and recommend to government ways to bridge gaps.”
“We also recognize our partners – NIMASA, NIWA, various other institutions and industry players to collaborate to solve the problems.”
For instance, he explained, what NCDMB calls the Nigerian Content intervention fund is based on a study carried out to realize that people have financial challenges.”
The fund is given to a development bank to help NCDMB administer instead of leaving the money in the Central Bank.
On reducing joblessness among trained seafarers, the NCDMB boss explained that his agency’s intervention is a continuous process.
“For some of them, we do the training and try to source seatime places for them. It is a very big challenge to engage them on vessels for seatime experience. They have the training, certification and exposure. It’s been very fantastic but the problem is the size of the industry. Right now, you can’t take everybody. Entering the programme has always been very competitive. For those who have participated, you can rarely find anyone who has gone through that internship training roaming the streets. It’s only those who have not had the opportunity to have the exposure. The cadet internship training programme is a continuous process. Apart from cadets, we have training for marine surveyors. We give them scholarship. Thereafter, they’re expected to launch out into the world.”
NCDMB recommends that after training, the cadets are not expected to wait for the agency to engage them because it does not have the jobs.
“We are not a maritime company. We’re just to build and launch you to find work anywhere in the world.”
Engr Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine, NIWA, Lagos Office.
In a presentation, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the statutory regulator of the inland waterways, outlined her critical role in promoting maritime logistics and the sustainability of the ocean economy by making operations on inland waterways safe and seamless. Represented by Engr Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine, NIWA, Lagos Office, the
agency dwelt on critical areas of concern currently including maritime accidents and safety, delays, disruptions and navigational challenges which are being tackled headlong with huge assistance from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola.
NIWA, she stated, has also ensured the development of indigenous technical and managerial skills to meet the challenges of modern inland waterways transportation.
In her welcome address earlier, the Chair, Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd, Barr (Mrs) Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore said that as a coastal nation, it is important for Nigeria to harness ocean resources and develop her economy in a manner that sustains her teeming population while eradicating poverty in the land. Maritime logistics, she observed, is an acute driver of the ocean economy.
“In this digital age, it is important to evaluate how logistics is affecting the development of the ocean economy. What are our obligations in maritime logistics? What are the opportunities and how can these be harnessed to uplift the Nigerian populace and, by extension, develop the African continent?”
Other participants in the panel discussion included the representative of Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Nigerian Navy and Mrs Ruth Ikem Chukwukezirim, CEO, Global Energy and Logistics.
Maritime Agencies
Suspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
All shipping companies, shipping agents, and terminals operating within Nigerian ports have been given marching orders to suspend and discontinue the implementation of any review or upward adjustment of their charges until they have fully engaged their stakeholders.
This is contained in a release by Rebecca Adamu, Head of Public Relations of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria’s Ports Economic Regulator.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council clarifies that the recent adjustment was approved strictly in accordance with her statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator in which case all tariff reviews were conducted in a transparent, structured, and well-defined regulatory process.
”These processes included detailed technical and consultative engagement with affected service providers aimed at examining the cost drivers, operational realities, investment obligations and regulatory compliance.”
”The engagements did not constitute automatic approvals; rather, they informed a broader evaluative process. Final determinations were reached only after rigorous internal, technical, and financial assessments guided by empirical evidence, regulatory benchmarks, and prevailing economic conditions.”
”Notwithstanding, shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders. As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations”, the statement warned.
The Council emphasised that transparency, fairness, and stakeholder participation are fundamental principles underpinning port economic regulation in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah (MON), further warned that the Council is empowered under its regulatory mandate to apply appropriate sanctions against defaulting operators, including enforcement measures provided for under relevant regulatory frameworks. He encourages constructive engagement, dialogue, and compliance.
Any service provider that proceeds with charge reviews without stakeholders’ engagement should be prepared to face decisive regulatory action.
He assured that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to protecting the interests of port users, promoting fair competition and ensuring a balanced and predictable business environment within the Nigerian maritime industry.
Customs
FG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The inauguration of a new Board for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Monday, sets a clear reform agenda for Nigerian seaports as reduced port costs and fair pricing now take centre stage.
Dr Bolaji Akinola, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, stated this in a statement.
At the event, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola charged the Board to focus on improving accountability in operations, reduced cost of doing business and strengthened regulation processes across the shipping sector.
The reconstitution of the Council’s governing structure, he stated, follows the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that good governance and repositioning of the Marine and Blue Economy should serve as a key engine of national economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Oyetola reminded the Board that as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, the Shippers’ Council is central in efforts to achieve efficiency, transparency and fairness in port charges and service delivery.
Robust economic regulation, the Minister maintained, is critical to lowering trade costs, protecting shippers and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness within the sub-region and beyond.
The Minister urged Board members to provide firm strategic leadership and effective oversight, insisting that regulatory decisions must translate into measurable outcomes, including improved port efficiency, fair pricing, and enhanced trade facilitation.
He called for seamless collaboration between the Board and the Council’s management, while assuring members of the Ministry’s full support in delivering their mandate.
Dr Ibrahim Shema, former Governor of Katsina State, is the Chair of the newly -inaugurated Board. Other members are Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Council; Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji (NACCIMA); Mr. John Aluya (MAN); Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins and Mrs Olufunmilayo Olaseinde.
Others are Dr. Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed (NNPCL); Hon. Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Mrs. Uzoamaka Okereke from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Dr. Shema thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and commended the Minister for his leadership of the sector. He pledged that the Board would uphold professionalism and integrity while supporting reforms aimed at improving port performance, strengthening regulatory effectiveness, and delivering tangible benefits to shippers and the national economy.
NSC serves as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, mandated to promote efficiency, transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in port operations, while safeguarding the interests of shippers and enhancing the country’s maritime trade environment.
Maritime Agencies
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL), the company in charge of security surveillance over oil and gas installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is in collaboration with Textron Systems Corporation, a United States–based defence and aerospace company, to supply her three advanced Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
TSSNL owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) disclosed the business deal in her website publication of December 29, 2025. The drones will be delivered in a fully ITAR-Free configuration.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without runways, utilising hybrid quadrotor technology that enables vertical takeoff and landing, as well as fixed-wing flight.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS, Textron Systems says, is a mature, industry-proven autonomous platform known for its high reliability and operational flexibility. Its dual-mode capability allows it to operate seamlessly in complex and high-risk environments, making it well-suited for security operations within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Giving further insight into the contract, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, David Phillips, said the deployment would significantly enhance Tantita’s operational capability.
”The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a proven solution that will enable Tantita Security Services to expand its capabilities to protect the oil and gas infrastructure essential to Nigerian security and prosperity,” he stated.
The Aerosonde platform has accumulated over 700,000 flight hours across some of the world’s most challenging operating environments, underscoring its reliability and performance.
Tantita Security Services is expected to deploy the systems to strengthen surveillance and protection of critical oil and gas assets across Nigeria.
The contract also includes options for operator training and the supply of additional aircraft to support future capability expansion. Textron Systems noted that the agreement builds on a previous Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract to Nigeria, further highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian security operations.
Textron Systems is a global leader in uncrewed air, land and sea systems, with the Aerosonde family of UAS currently supporting international customers and operations aboard more than 10 U.S. Navy ships. The company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a diversified multinational with interests spanning aviation, defence, industrial manufacturing and finance.
With multiple payload configurations and comprehensive training and support services, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS offers a versatile and efficient solution for security operations in demanding environments, reinforcing Tantita Security Services’ role in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoOIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
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Maritime Agencies1 day agoSuspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
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Customs1 day agoFG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.