Maritime
‘Nigeria Records Decline In Piracy Incidents’
The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) said Nigeria has recorded a decline in piracy incidents compared to peak years.
Head of Research, SEREC, Eugene Nweke, made this known in a Statement to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, in Abuja, last Thursday.
Nweke said the decline was due to multinational patrols and investments in surveillance.
He said Nigeria’s achievements in the marine and blue economy also included the expansion of seafarer training with hundreds of cadets now completing mandatory sea-time, building a foundation for a stronger workforce.
Nweke, however, said that Nigeria was in need of a strong steel industry to further grow the marine sector and reduce its dependence on imports.
“Without a functioning steel industry, Nigeria’s shipyards remain import-dependent, uncompetitive and unable to support large-scale ship repair or newbuilding,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria has a national carrier gap and one national operator alone does not make a maritime nation.
He said that sustainability required governance free from political capture and backed by private capital.
Nweke added that the sector was experiencing a multimodal deficit, where ports remained road-dependent, with rail and inland waterways underdeveloped, a drag on competitiveness.
Environmental sustainability, he said, had not been mainstreamed into port concessions, as Nigeria risks lagging global decarbonisation standards.
Nweke said that Nigeria was faced with a trade imbalance, where it imports machinery, food and refined fuel in volumes that far exceeded non-oil exports, draining scarce forex and worsening the balance of trade.
To address these challenges, Nweke insisted Nigeria must link maritime development with industrialisation by reviving steel industry even through modular mini-mills, essential for a credible shipbuilding and repair industry.
Nweke said, “The Blue Economy policy must move beyond paper. Fisheries, aquaculture, ocean energy, and seabed mining can be new engines of growth if grounded in research, sustainability, and transparent regulation.
“Multimodal transport is not optional. Until rail, barge and inland port integration become functional, Apapa and Tin Can will remain choke points undermining trade efficiency.
“Revenue agencies must move from celebrating ‘record collections’ to proving impact: port costs must fall, cargo must flow faster and trade competitiveness must rise.’
He said that Nigeria’s maritime sector held the promise of jobs, industrialisation and regional leadership, but required structural reforms to achieve the feat.
“At 65, the time for ceremonial speeches is over.
“The next decade must be about execution: steel for shipbuilding, disciplined national carrier governance, green ports, regulated seabed mining, empowered seafarers and multimodal integration.
“Only then will Nigeria’s maritime sector reflect the true wealth of its waters,” he said.
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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
