Maritime
GTP Chair Urges FG To Link 28 States To Waterways
The Chairman of Global Transport Policy (GTP), Dr Olusegun Musa, has urged the Federal Government to link 28 states in the country to waterways transport for economic transformation.
Musa made the call during the 10th Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK), a two-day event held in Lagos, and themed ‘Our Oceans, Our Seas, Our Obligation – Maximising Africa’s Ocean’.
According to Musa, Nigeria has about 853 kilometres of coastline offering opportunities in fisheries, oil and gas, shipping, and tourism.
He stressed that 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states possess water bodies which, if linked, could yield huge economic benefits.
Musa said Africa’s Blue Economy was not a distant dream but an immediate opportunity, noting that data on its potential remained under utilised.
He emphasised that fisheries and aquaculture contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product GDP and food security, adding that aquaculture could address a projected 12-million-tonne fish deficit by 2050.
He cited Egypt’s aquaculture drive and Ghana’s Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme as examples of meeting rising protein demands while reducing imports.
Musa said improved regulation could make Africa a net fish exporter, creating livelihoods and boosting nutritional security for its fast-growing population describing maritime trade, logistics, and ports as Africa’s trade lifeblood, with 90 per cent of international trade passing through them.
He warned that Africa’s blue economy faced severe threats, including climate change, sea-level rise, and overfishing, which could destabilise economies and displace communities.
He also warned of declining fisheries, with West Africa’s catch potential expected to drop 30 per cent by 2050, worsened by Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
He said IUU fishing deprived local communities, fuelling insecurity and radicalisation, as seen in regions such as Somalia.
On pollution, Musa highlighted persistent oil spills in the Niger Delta and rising marine waste from Africa’s growing coastal populations.
He stressed that oceans should be treated as partners in prosperity, not plundered resources.
Earlier, Zoe Maritime Resources Chief Executive, Mrs Edodo Emore, said the International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference was part of World Maritime Day celebrations.
The Convener noted that developing Africa’s ocean resources was crucial to tackling poverty, adding that development could not exist without maritime security.
She said a roundtable on Gulf of Guinea security would examine threats and opportunities for developing Africa’s ocean economy.
Edodo-Emore added that African ports must embrace digitalisation, with Smart Ports reducing vessel turnaround times, improving customs clearance, and ending manual processes.
She said a roundtable on maritime transport and port development would advance discussions on Smart Ports, their opportunities, and challenges.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated it’s commitment to preventing a return to the severe Apapa gridlock that previously plaqued the Lagos ports access roads.
It said the electronic truck call- up system ( ETO) has been recently reviewed and enhanced to integrate terminal gates directly with the ETO platform.
Speaking in reaction to media reports on the resurgence of gridlock on port access roads, Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, said the NPA, in line with its mandate to ensure the smooth operation of port activities and the free flow of traffic around the Apapa Port Complex corridor, remained fully committed to maintaining order and preventing any reoccurrence of the gridlock previously experienced along the access roads.
“We have recently undertaken a review and enhancement of the ETO system, which now integrates Terminal Gates directly with the ETO platform.
“This integration is designed to provide a structured sequencing of truck movements, both inbound and outbound within the Apapa Port Complex.
“The objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency, improve traffic efficiency, and maintain a sustainable operating environment around the ports.
“However, the success of this system depends largely on the cooperation and compliance of all Stakeholders, including Terminal Operators, Transport Unions, Drivers, Clearing Agents, and Government Agencies (Both Federal and State).
“Sequencing truck entry and exit is not rocket science. With sincerity of purpose and commitment from all concerned, we can achieve and maintain orderliness and prevent a return to the chaotic conditions of the past.
“It is in our best interest, because smooth Ingress and Egress of Trucks will, in the long run, bring about high turnover for all stakeholders,” he stated.
The Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for synergy in revamping the nation’s ports.
Dantsoho made the call shortly after the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He insisted that without collaboration amongst major actors little or nothing would be achieved in revamping the ports
“Until there is collaboration and partnership you cannot achieve efficiency at the ports”, he said.
Dantsoho highlighted steps taken by the Ports Authority to address bottlenecks faced by importers and exporters at the nation’s ports.
The MD said the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee established by the NPA is recording huge successes through the joint inspection and boarding by relevant agencies operating in the area.
He identified adoption of technology, improvement in infrastructure, human capacity building, equipment and tools, as areas that could be improved to enhance port efficiency.
This, according to him, would ensure that Nigeria remains competitive and relevant in the sub-region, continent and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Director – General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, called for collective resolve among stakeholders to improve port operations, making cargo clearance faster and more efficient.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee, Audi however, decried the losses incurred as a result of the inefficiency at the nation’s ports,
Audu described the committee as a platform that represents not only interagency collaboration but a shared commitment to making Nigeria’s ports globally competitive, transparent, and efficient.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) said it will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in combating human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species.
The Comptroller General Cust oms, Adewale Adeniyi stated this while playing host to the Courtesy Visit by a delegation from NAPTIP, in his office, in Abuja.
He noted that Nigeria’s security challenges require joint action, as the Service does not view crimes solely through the lens of smuggling but through broader national security implications.
Adeniyi said “We believe in the power of collaboration,We can achieve more with less when we work together.”
The Comptroller General revealed that the Service has intensified its work on environmental sustainability and the enforcement of international conventions regarding flora and fauna, assured the delegation that Customs will fully collaborate on the upcoming national dialogue on human trafficking and stowaway incidents, scheduled for February 2026.
He pledged to provide technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and access to the Service’s training curriculum to strengthen inter-agency understanding of trafficking dynamics.
“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally”
” We will work with your designated officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security”, he stated.
Adeniyi commended the delegation for their continued service to the country and assured them of Customs’ unwavering support.
Earlier, the Director General, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed delight at securing formal engagement with the Customs Service.
She stated that NAPTIP was eager to strengthen operational partnerships, particularly in areas such as intelligence exchange, policy development, and cross-border enforcement.
In her words, “I am happy today that I finally made it here and held this discussion with the Comptroller-General. We are a law enforcement agency with mandates to prevent, prosecute and protect as partnership with Customs is essential for our work”
She noted that human trafficking continues to evolve, requiring close coordination among agencies operating at Nigeria’s multiple entry and exit points.
Also Speaking former Director with NIMASA; Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the visit was to seek Customs’ partnership for a one-day national policy dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.
Tumaka described Customs as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” adding that its involvement is critical to the success of the dialogue.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable”, she said.
By: Chinedu Wosu
