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The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, has been honoured with a Sustainability Award for Investment and Economic Development in London. The award, which was presented to him at the Nigeria Conversation on Trade and Investment London 2026, was organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigerian Branch in recognition of his contributions to investment promotion and economic development in Nigeria, came on the heels of  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA ACT, 2026. The event brought together government officials, business leaders and other stakeholders to explore prospects and opportunities for sustainable economic and industrial development in Nigeria. Speaking on the theme, “Towards Sustainable Economic and Industrial Development in Nigeria – Prospects and Opportunities,” Dr. Akutah  highlighted the enormous investment opportunities presented by Nigeria’s marine and blue e...

In a move aimed at creating a clear separation between port economic regulation, development and operations, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the transfer of the inland dry port (IDP) functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). In a statement issued by his Special Adviser Dr. Bolaji Akinola in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister also directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026.  The directives are part of measures to establish a clear institutional framework for the new port economic regulatory regime, eliminate overlapping responsibilities and ensure that agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy operate within clearly defined mandates.  The NPERA A...

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has Commiserated with the government and people of Jigawa State and the royal family of the Gumel Emirate over the death of the late Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad Sani II. Conveying the message, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD who was represented at the funeral prayers held at the Gumel Emirate Palace by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, described the passing of the late Emir as a great loss to his people and the nation. According to a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe, on Friday, 5 September, 2026, the CGC said the late traditional ruler would be remembered for his long years of selfless service to his people, his commitment to peace and unity, and his concern for the welfare and development of the Gumel Emirate. “The death of His Royal Highness ...

The  Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has been presented with the prestigious Times Heroes Award in recognition of his significant contributions to public service and national development. The honour was conferred on Thursday, 3 September 2026, at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja during the centenary celebration of the Daily Times newspaper. The event gathered prominent figures across government, commerce, and traditional institutions to celebrate key individuals and organisations shaping Nigeria’s growth. Speaking after receiving the award, Adeniyi described the accolade as an inspiration to serve with greater commitment. He credited the achievement to the collective effort of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and praised compliant citizens for driving higher standards in public service. "It’s very good when you do something, and you are recognised; this should be an inspiration to us to do much better," Adeniyi said. He dedicated the award to the officers and...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted the strategic role of communication in advancing institutional reforms, trade facilitation, revenue generation and stakeholder engagement, with particular emphasis on its B’Odogwu digital modernisation platform. The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this on Wednesday, 2  September 2026, while representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) held at the National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja. Maiwada stressed that communication was indispensable to the effective implementation of the Service’s mandate, noting that technological and institutional reforms could only achieve their intended objectives when properly communicated to stakeholders. “Our critical role in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling cannot be eff...

After an eight years legal battle, the Nigeria Customs Service, Niger/Kogi Area Command, on 2 September 2026, formally handed over seized ammunition comprising of 7,560 packages containing 189,000 cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).  The handover ceremony, which was held at the Niger/Kogi Area Command, Minna, was conducted by the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc(+). The ammunition, according to a Press Release signed and issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command,  Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, ASC1 Abubakar Abdulkareem Zakariya onn behalf of the Customs Area Controller was intercepted on 18 June 2018 by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service during an operation that underscored their vigilance and commitment to preventing the illicit movement of arms and ammuni...

The FedeThe Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted narcotics and pharmaceutical products and other goods which has a combined street value of N3.951billion with 3 suspects aarressted in connection with the seizures. Speaking during the handover ceremony, held at the Unit's headquarters in Ikeja earlier today, 3rd of September, 2926, the Area Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures demonstrated the unit’s commitment to protecting national security, public health and the economic well-being of Nigerians.  Giving an insight insight on the seizures, the Area Controller said his men intercepted 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic strain of Cannabis Sativa weighing 3,116.9kg, alongside other cannabis products and one wrap of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg. Other narcotics seized included 49 wraps of Cannabis (Skunk) weighing 26.1kg, 3½ packs of ground Cannabis (Skunk) weighing 3.45kg, two 5 o...

L-R: Head alpher, Union Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Aderonke Chukwudeme; Founder, Bequeenz Beauty, Ms. Esther Harmony Elois; Founder, Atas Nutraboom Nutrition, Ms Oluwakemi Olaniyan; Founder, Gadesh & Co Nigeria Limited; Ms. Abojukoro Ganiyat Adeshola; Head SME Banking, Union Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Gloria Omereonye, and Founder, Zuri Circle Network, Ms. Linda Obi during the Bank’s presentation of grants to business pitch winners at the Fearless Female Founders (FFF) 2.0 programme at Vibranium Valley, Local Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos recently A lpher, Union Bank of Nigeria’s dedicated proposition for women, has partnered with Zuri Circle Network (ZCN) to empower 98 female entrepreneurs through the Fearless Female Founders (FFF) 2.0 Accelerator Programme. The initiative was designed to bridge the gap between women-led businesses and access to capital, business knowledge, mentorship and opportunities for sustainable growth. The programme attracted 2,810 applications from women entrepreneur...

Barely two weeks of handing over of 399 Pump Action Rifles to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons NCCSALW, the Nigeria Customs Service, TinCan Island Ports Command in it's quest for national security has yet again intercepted another cache of fire arms and it's components. Disclosing this in Lagos yesterday, Monday 31 August, 2026, during a press briefing, the Comptroller‑General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi PhD, Mfr, who was represented by the  Deputy Comptroller‑General of Customs (Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection), DCG Timi Bomodi,  disclosed that 204 Pump Action Rifles and other Components concealed among household items where discovered during a 100 percent physical examination of a 20‑foot container which arrived from Turkey aboard MV Algeciras Express on August 16, 2026. Giving details of the discovery, DCG Bomodi said, "100 percent physical inspection uncovered the rifles hidden among furniture, refrige...