Maritime
Calabar Free Trade Zone: Customs Collaborates Sisters Agency To Fight Smuggling
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, has intensified efforts to combat smuggling, strengthen border and maritime security, and facilitate legitimate trade through closer collaboration with security agencies and private-sector operators.q
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller, Dr Nkiru Nwala, led delegations to the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Eastern Naval Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Shoreline Logistics Nigeria Limited on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, to strengthen institutional relationships and improve operational coordination.
The engagements focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement operations, protection of critical national assets, road safety, maritime security and compliance with Customs regulations.
Speaking during the visits, Nwala emphasised the need for sustained cooperation among security agencies to address smuggling and other criminal activities, protect government revenue and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests.
She noted that geographical characteristics of the Command’s operational environment, which encompasses land borders, coastal communities and maritime routes, made collaboration particularly important in tackling illicit activities and emerging security threats.
At the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Customs delegation was received by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena.
The discussions highlighted the strategic importance of cooperation in securing border areas, combating smuggling and protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
The Customs delegation stressed that intelligence sharing, timely communication and coordinated enforcement operations would strengthen the effectiveness of both agencies and improve security across the region.
Similarly, during a visit to the Eastern Naval Command, where the delegation was received on behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding by the Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral S. Ibrahim, Nwala underscored the complementary responsibilities of Customs and the Nigerian Navy in securing the country’s maritime environment.
She noted that closer collaboration was necessary to prevent the exploitation of waterways for smuggling and other illicit activities, while strengthening maritime enforcement and protecting legitimate trade.
The engagement also highlighted the need for effective communication and operational coordination between the two agencies to address emerging challenges in the coastal and maritime environment.
At the Cross River State Command of the NSCDC, the delegation was received by the State Commandant, CE Okarazu.
Nwala highlighted the importance of cooperation in addressing security challenges, protecting critical national assets and ensuring the effective discharge of the agencies’ respective statutory responsibilities.
She called for stronger communication channels, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations to tackle emerging threats and safeguard national economic interests.
The Customs chief also stressed the importance of cooperation with the FRSC in promoting road safety, facilitating legitimate trade and securing transportation routes within the Command’s area of responsibility.
Received by the Cross River Sector Commander, Corps Commander IT Etuk, the delegation discussed the importance of safer roads and efficient transportation networks to Customs enforcement activities and the movement of goods.
Nwala noted that road transportation remained critical to Customs operations, adding that improved coordination between the two agencies would enhance operational efficiency, promote road safety and support the smooth movement of legitimate commerce.
Beyond security partnerships, the Command also engaged the private sector, visiting Shoreline Logistics Nigeria Limited to strengthen stakeholder relations and improve trade facilitation.
The company’s Base Manager, Mr Larry Idehen, received the delegation.
During the meeting, Nwala emphasised the important role of logistics operators in facilitating cargo movement, supporting supply chains and promoting efficient commercial activities.
She urged operators to uphold transparency, maintain accurate documentation and comply with relevant Customs laws and regulations, noting that compliance would help prevent infractions, improve operational efficiency and protect government revenue.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr.Adegboyega Oyetola has Unveils the newly gazetted Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency ( NPERA ) Act, 2026, alongside the agency’s official logo, describing the development as a significant milestone in strengthening Port regulation, boost investor confidence and enhance Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness.
Oyetola made the disclosure on Friday at the Third quarter 2026 Citizens ‘and stakeholders engagement of Marine and Blue Economy, held in Victoria Island, lagos.
The engagement, themed “Building Strategic Bilateral Partnerships for Sustainable Growth, Investment, and Technology of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy,” brought together government officials, industry leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities and reforms in the sector.
The minister said the enactment of the NPERA Act, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent in June 2026, established a substantive statutory framework for port economic regulation after nearly two decades of efforts to institutionalise the function.
He disclosed that he had directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which had served as interim port economic regulator since 2014, into the new agency.
According to him, NPERA will be responsible for regulating tariffs and charges, promoting competition, enforcing service standards, resolving commercial disputes and protecting port users’ interests.
“The credibility of an economic regulator rests, in no small measure, on its independence, impartiality and freedom from responsibilities that could give rise to actual or perceived conflicts of interest,” Oyetola said.
He directed the agency to operate as an impartial arbiter, free from competing regulatory and operational responsibilities.
On port infrastructure, the minister highlighted plans to modernise Apapa, Tin Can Island, Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, stressing that the programme would ensure balanced development across the country.
“No part of our national port system will be left behind in this modernisation programme,” he declared, adding that ports outside Lagos are equally important to Nigeria’s economic future.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the development of the Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaports to expand maritime capacity and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional logistics hub.
On maritime security, Oyetola said Nigeria had maintained zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters through the Deep Blue Project.
He described the lifting of the 12-year United States Coast Guard Condition of Entry on vessels arriving from Nigeria in August 2026 as a major achievement.
The development, he said, reflected progress in maritime security and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
The minister further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to indigenous shipping, disclosing that he had directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to work with approved Primary Lending Institutions to accelerate the processing and disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund to qualified applicants.
Emphasising international cooperation, the minister cited Nigeria’s election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization Council in November 2025 and ongoing engagements with Denmark, India, Norway and the United Kingdom.
“Our approach to international cooperation is purposeful and results-oriented,” he said, noting that partnerships must strengthen local capabilities and deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, has charged executives and members of the association’s Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Chapter to embrace unity, transparency and accountable leadership to strengthen the association’s operations.
Ezisi gave the charge Thursday, during a working visit to the PTML Chapter, aimed at strengthening internal relationships, promoting collaboration among members and enhancing cooperation with key stakeholders in the maritime sector.
During the visit to the PTML Customs Command, the NAGAFF president urged the command to report any unprofessional conduct by members or executives of the association, stressing the importance of discipline and professionalism in freight forwarding practice.
He also congratulated Nura Miko on his promotion and appointment as Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, urging him to maintain a cordial relationship with the chapter’s leadership and provide the necessary support to facilitate its activities.
Responding, Miko commended NAGAFF for distinguishing itself among freight forwarding associations through its organisational structure and approach to industry engagement.
He assured Ezisi and his delegation of the command’s commitment to providing a conducive working environment, describing the command as a community where stakeholders must work together to achieve common objectives.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy National President of NAGAFF, Mr Simeon Nwonu, expressed appreciation to Miko for his reception and described him as a man of his word.
At the NAGAFF PTML Chapter’s temporary secretariat, Ezisi thanked the chapter’s leadership and members for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation.
He reiterated the need for transparency, unity and mutual support, urging members to rally behind the chapter chairman and his executive team to ensure the success of their administration.
Earlier, the PTML Chapter Chairman, Fwdr. Thomas Alor, assured the national leadership of his administration’s commitment to membership mobilisation, members’ welfare and accountability to the national headquarters.
Alor pledged to discharge his leadership responsibilities diligently, assuring the national leadership that his administration would work towards achieving the chapter’s objectives.
Also speaking, the PTML Chapter Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Odinanwata Nwarienne, commended NAGAFF’s leadership for its efforts to promote seamless cargo movement and improve operational efficiency within the maritime sector.
The visit also featured a celebration in honour of Ezisi, as members of the PTML Chapter joined in celebrating the national president in recognition of his leadership.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the national leadership to interact directly with chapter executives and members, reinforce the association’s expectations and strengthen relationships with customs officials and other industry stakeholders.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
The National Single Window Secretariat has set a target of reducing cargo clearance time in Nigeria to one day, from the current average of two to three weeks, as maritime stakeholders called for smarter ports, greener logistics and improved coordination among regulatory agencies.
The National Coordinator of the National Single Window Secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade, disclosed this at the Primetime Reporters’ 5th Annual Lecture and Awards held at Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday.
Fakolade, who was represented by a Deputy Director at the Secretariat, Mr. Jude Oboh, said the initiative was designed to simplify trade procedures, reduce cargo dwell time, eliminate unnecessary physical examinations and lower the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
He explained that the Federal Government’s directive was to reduce cargo clearance time to one day for both imports and exports, noting that prolonged cargo clearance had contributed significantly to the high cost of doing business in the country.
According to him, the National Single Window seeks to address these challenges through a centralised digital platform that allows importers and exporters to submit documentation once, enabling relevant government agencies to access the information they require without repeatedly requesting the same documents.
He said the platform would also improve transparency, strengthen risk management and enable regulatory agencies to identify compliant traders for faster cargo processing while directing greater scrutiny towards high-risk transactions.
Fakolade noted that Nigeria’s current practice of subjecting approximately 95 per cent of cargo to intrusive physical examination was excessive, adding that the Secretariat hoped to reduce the proportion to below 10 per cent in line with international best practices.
He attributed the high rate of physical examination partly to the absence of a centralised risk management system and the overlapping responsibilities of regulatory agencies operating at the ports.
The National Single Window, he said, would facilitate information-sharing among agencies, allowing them to assess cargo risks collectively and reduce unnecessary inspections.
He added that the Federal Government had also directed that Nigeria’s cargo clearance costs should, at worst, be comparable to those of other West African countries, where some Nigerian-bound cargo had been diverted in recent years.
Providing an update on the initiative, Fakolade said the platform had issued more than 156,000 licences and permits within six months, eliminating the need for applicants to visit multiple regulatory agencies physically.
He disclosed that more than 12,000 importers and clearing agents had registered on the platform, while five ministries, departments and agencies were already using it.
According to him, the platform’s first phase, which focuses on non-oil imports, has commenced with the integration of pre-shipment documentation and permits issued by relevant regulatory agencies.
He explained that importers could now apply for applicable licences and permits through the platform, while shipping manifests submitted by shipping lines and airlines were also being channelled through the system to the relevant authorities.
Fakolade said the Secretariat was preparing to extend the initiative to exports, with plans to commence operations by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the implementation schedule.
He added that the third phase would cover the oil and gas sector and trade visualisation solutions, which are expected to provide greater visibility into Nigeria’s trade activities.
He urged maritime stakeholders, including freight forwarders, shipping companies and regulatory agencies, to continue providing feedback to improve the system.
In his keynote address, a former lecturer at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kamany Marine Services Limited, Dr. Charles Okorefe, said Nigeria still had significant ground to cover in developing smart and environmentally sustainable ports.
Speaking on the theme, “Smarter Gateways, Greener Logistics: Leveraging Port Community System and National Single Window for Seamless Trade Flows,” Okorefe described ports as critical gateways for international commerce whose efficiency must extend beyond receiving vessels and clearing cargo to ensuring the seamless movement of goods.
He explained that smart ports deploy advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain and automation, to accelerate cargo handling, reduce energy consumption, minimise delays and lower operating costs.
According to him, these technologies can improve vessel scheduling, automate cargo-handling operations and facilitate real-time monitoring of port equipment.
He observed that Nigerian ports had yet to achieve the level of automation and technological integration evident in leading international ports such as Rotterdam and Singapore.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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