Maritime

Bakassi Deep Seaport:Cross River Gov Applauds FG Over Certificate Of Compliance

Published

11 months ago

December 22, 2025

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has applauded the Federal Government for its support for the Bakassi Deep Seaport, describing it as a momentous occasion towards making the country a hub for maritime activities.

The Governor gave the commendation when he received the Certificate of Compliance from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Federal Executive Council last week approved the Bakassi Deep Seaport as one of three major transformative Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

The Deep Seaport has been described as a strategic maritime infrastructure project expected to attract about $3.5 billion in private investment.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Governor Otu said it was a major milestone as Cross River State is strategic to the country realising its maritime potential like Brazil and other coastal countries with robust maritime economy.

The Cross River Governor stressed that with population explosion and limited resources, projects like the deep seaport offers a veritable avenue for increased investment and job creation.

“Today is historic and a major milestone in our march towards realising a veritable marine and blue economy through the Bakassi Deep Seaport. Nigeria at the moment is underperforming in marine economy. So, Cross River State is strategic and well-positioned to harness the potential of the sector.

“Receiving this certificate today is a big addition to create a balance in our pursuit. I am confident that with the astute professionalism, diligence and commitment of the ministry and private sector players, we are on track with the deep seaport,” the governor said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his significant effort in establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and especially in the appointment of the minister.

In his response, Minister Oyetola lauded the vision and passion of Governor Otu over the Bakassi Deep Seaport,

and stressed that it aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He expressed the hope that the project would boost livelihoods and the economy of the state and country as a whole.

He was particularly full of praise for the speed and dedication of Governor Otu to the project and noted that though there were six of such projects ongoing, the Bakassi seaport held the prospect of being the first to being realised.

The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Osedion Ewalefoh, who was full of applause for the Cross River Governor, described the project as a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.

“The Bakassi Deep Seaport will serve as a new maritime gateway for Nigeria’s North-Central and North-East regions, while also functioning as a major logistics hub for West and Central Africa.

“It is a greenfield development designed to accommodate large vessels and integrated with an industrial cluster and a Free Trade Zone.

The project will create thousands of jobs and position Nigeria as a preferred maritime destination,” he stated.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Customs Boss Bags FiBO Award, Reaffirms Support For Media Growth

Published

14 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting media growth and development as a critical tool for effective dissemination of government policies, especially as Nigeria pursues its $1 trillion economy target by 2030.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, stated this at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Finance and Business Online Publishers Association (FiBOP) held at Lekki, Lagos.

Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Abdulgany Oloro Usman, said the media has a vital role in ensuring government policies are well communicated to the public.

Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Revenue, Dr. Olufemi Olarinde, urged media practitioners to shun sensationalism and partner with government in communicating accurate economic data.

According to Oyedele, public trust is strengthened when citizens clearly understand government actions, the rationale behind them and the metrics for measuring progress.

“Enough of sensational news. Government must provide timely information, welcome constructive scrutiny, and explain its decisions transparently,” the Minister said.

Highpoint of the event was the conferment of the *”Transformative Reforms and Leadership Excellence” Award* on the Customs Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, by FiBOP.

The award recognises Adeniyi’s exceptional stewardship which has catalysed a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s trade and border management landscape, particularly in trade facilitation, institutional transparency, technological innovation and modernisation of the Service.

The Association noted that since assuming office, Adeniyi has transformed the Service from a traditional revenue collector into a modern, globally compliant trade facilitator through dismantling of bureaucratic bottlenecks, streamlining of cargo clearance procedures, and championing the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme and the Time Release Study (TRS).

It further cited his deployment of non-intrusive inspection technologies, enhanced inter-agency intelligence sharing, intensified anti-smuggling operations and the rollout of the Unified Customs Management System as key achievements that have reduced port congestion, lowered cost of doing business and boosted revenue generation

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

NPERA Tasks Ibom Maritime Stakeholders On Sector Development

Published

14 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Akutah, has announced plans to introduce an Award of Honesty for three cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, annually, beginning from 2027.

Akutah said the initiative was aimed at promoting integrity, ethical conduct and professionalism among future maritime practitioners.

He made the announcement while delivering his goodwill message at the Academy’s 2026 Cadets’ Graduation Ceremony, last week where he congratulated the graduating cadets on successfully completing their academic training.

The NPERA boss described graduation as the beginning of a new phase of professional development, offering opportunities for career advancement, practical experience and meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.

He encouraged the graduates to approach their careers with dedication, discipline and a commitment to continuous learning as they transition from academic training into professional practice.

He stressed that professional competence must be complemented by integrity and responsible conduct to build a credible maritime industry and sustain public confidence in the sector.

According to him, the proposed Award of Honesty would promote a culture of integrity among young maritime professionals and reinforce the ethical values required for responsible leadership and professional excellence.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening maritime education, professional certification and sea-time training.

Oyetola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Fatima Sugra Mahmood, at the ceremony, also called for stronger collaboration between maritime training institutions and industry operators to prepare graduates for the demands of the maritime industry.

He emphasised the importance of equipping maritime graduates with the requisite professional qualifications, practical experience and industry-relevant skills to enhance their employability and effective participation in the sector.

The Minister also highlighted the need for closer collaboration between maritime training institutions and industry operators to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice, thereby strengthening the capacity of Nigeria’s maritime workforce.

The ceremony also featured the formal launch of the Academy’s Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), an initiative designed to improve administrative efficiency, transparency and accountability in the institution’s operations.

The Academy graduated 314 cadets from its National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Maritime Journalists To Host Unity Conference November

Published

14 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

The Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ), the umbrella body of all maritime Journalists is set to host its Unity Conference later this month in Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference would bring together key policymakers, maritime regulators, industry leaders and other stakeholders to examine the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

In a statement jointly signed by Chairman and Public Relations Officer of NNMJ, Elder Dele Aderibigbe and Jerry Aguigbo respectively, the conference, scheduled to commence at 11:00 a.m., will focus on the performance, policy direction and operational efficiency of the maritime industry under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with particular emphasis on port modernisation, trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the conference, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour.

Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, will deliver the keynote address at the event, which is themed “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue.”

The conference is expected to provide a platform for constructive engagement among government officials, maritime professionals and private-sector operators on practical strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry and maximising its contribution to national economic growth.

Key areas of discussion will include the modernisation of seaports and the renewal of critical infrastructure, improved trade facilitation, enhanced ease of doing business, revenue growth and measures to curb financial leakages.

Participants will also examine opportunities for expanding the marine and blue economy, creating employment, strengthening maritime safety and security, and improving the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The gathering is expected to attract heads of government agencies, managing directors of shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders and other prominent stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

Through the Unity Conference, NNMJ seeks to encourage informed dialogue, strengthen collaboration between public and private-sector stakeholders, and promote policy initiatives that will enhance port efficiency, facilitate legitimate trade, improve revenue performance and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The conference is also expected to reinforce the role of the maritime media in promoting accountability, providing informed industry analysis and advancing constructive engagement on policies and reforms affecting the nation’s marine and blue economy.

By; Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos