Maritimegistplus

...  Target 50% Export Price Reduction as Trade Under AfCFTA Advances Marking a  major milestone in regional trade facilitation and continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has commissioned the inaugural Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor. The historic flag-off event which was  held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, drew key government stakeholders and aviation industry players also featured the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi mfr and Ms Adebola Agunbiade, Director of Commercial and Business Development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who represented the Managing Director/CEO, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku. In his keynote address, CGC Adeniyi described the flag-off as a strate...

The Federal Government has approved the maintenance dredging of the Lekki Deep seaport in Lagos at the cost of $1.5bn. With the approval, the channel will be deepened from its present 16.5metres to 17metres in the first instance as it targets 19meters depth. This was disclosed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho during a maiden visit to Lekki port over the weekend. Dantsoho who was accompanied to the visit by senior management staff of the Authority, urged Lekki Port management to consolidate transshipment volumes to landlocked neighboring countries. According to Abubakar Dantsoho, “The rise in throughput volume at Lekki Port is exciting to us.”Lekki’s capacity to berth super post-panamax vessels and deliver rapid cargo and vessel turnaround positions is a game-changer for Nigeria’s export competitiveness, particularly for agro-allied products, as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains traction. “The port’s efficiency is dri...

.. . As CGC Clinches Diamond Lifetime Honour Award for Exceptional Performance in Public Office In recognition of its steadfast commitment to professional communication standards and institutional transparency, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been conferred with the Excellence in Professional Compliance Award – Corporate Category by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). The award, which was presented at the just concluded 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, reflects the Customs Service’s strategic drive toward effective public engagement, stakeholder inclusion and image repositioning under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. In a significant show of institutional honour, the Governing Council of the NIPR also recognised CGC Adeniyi with two distinguished awards; the Diamond Lifetime Award for his sustained contributions to the advancement of public relations ideals and the betterment of hu...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations in Nigeria’s north-eastern corridors as it intercepted Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and vehicles with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦63 million. This success was recorded through Operation Whirlwind, a targeted enforcement drive against the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria. Announcing the seizure during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital, on Friday, 23 May 2025, the National Coordinator of the operation, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG), Hussein Ejibunu, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR according to a release from the National Public Relations Officer of the Service described the outcome as a clear result of intelligence-led and coordinated enforcement within Zone ‘D’. He disclosed that 1,959 jerry cans, amounting to nearly 49,000 litres of PMS, were intercepted along with five vehicles used as a means of...

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) International Special Services has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding borders and disrupting transnational organised crime through strategic partnerships and intelligence-driven operations,  This recognition follows the recent recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos, adding to the 53 earlier recovered. This brings the total number of stolen Canadian vehicles intercepted in Nigeria to 65. These recoveries were made possible through the strong collaboration between the NCS, the RCMP, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Interpol Nigeria. The commendation was formally made during an official ceremony held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, where the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, His Excellency Pasquale Salva...

As the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) continues to intensify it's anti smuggling activities and dealing decisively with enemies of the state and economic saboteurs, the command has again intercepted six containers Laden with unregistered pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Used Clotthings and stolen exotic cars worth well over #3.2b and attrested 3 suspects in connection with the seizures. Addressing  the media at the command headquarters in Apapa on Thursday, of the command, the customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, informed that the six containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing and the two cars which were stolen from Canada all with a total Duty Paid Value DPV of N3,247,427,969.00 (Three billion,Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira). Giving a break down of the seizures, Compt. Olomu disclosed that the se...

From right: Executive Secretary/CEO, NSC, Dr. Pius presents a plaque to the Registrar/CEO, CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe during a visit Tuesday in Lagos. The Registrar/CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding ?6 the wPractice in Nigeria CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, on Tuesday, May, 20th, 2025, led a delegation on a strategic courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Pius Akutah, MON of Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC in Lagos. The visit, which focused on strengthening institutional collaboration to boost freight forwarding practices across Nigeria, underscored the value of partnership, professionalism, and structured engagement between maritime agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Key areas of discussion included developing a formal framework for cooperation, supporting capacity building for freight forwarders, and enhancing regulatory processes through innovations like KYC compliance. Mr. Igwe also sought NSC’s support in scaling CRFFN’s training ...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting seamless and sustainable trade operations, with a renewed focus on facilitating the importation of renewable energy technologies. The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the Tariff and Trade Department, DCG Caroline Niagwan,  made the pledge in Lagos on Monday, 19 May 2025, during the 2025 edition of the NCS Trade Facilitation Stakeholder Consultative Forum, which also commemorated one year anniversary of the Advance Ruling Programme. The event, with theme “Trade Facilitation Measures for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technologies” the forum brought together key industry stakeholders, development partners, and government officials to explore Customs’ evolving role in supporting Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Delivering the keynote address, DCG Caroline Niagwan described trade facilitation as central to...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has  commissioned three major infrastructural projects, a newly renovated Senior Officers Mess, a fully equipped Gym House, and a state-of-the-art Office Complex for the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA).  The commissioning ceremony,  which was held  on Monday at the Command headquarters in Seme, was attended by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who personally unveiled the facilities.  The event marked a significant milestone in the Command’s ongoing efforts to improve welfare, professionalism, and community development as the CGC's presence was hailed as a demonstration of his commitment to officers’ welfare and the modernization of the Service. In his address, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, PhD, expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General and highlighted the significance of the new projects. He described the occasion as more than ju...

  ...AS EAST AFRICAN NATION PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR NIGERIA'S IMO CATEGORY C BID.  Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola (right) presenting a souvenir to the Head of the Delegation/Vice Chairman of TASAC, Rukia D. Shamte during a study visit by TASAC to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Tanzanian counterpart, the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation ,TASAC, have deepened cooperation in knowledge sharing in the areas of Flag and Port State Control, Seafarer Development and Certification, Cabotage regime implementation, Maritime Security, and digital transformation of processes among others.  This was the thrust of deliberations during a working visit by the Maritime Administration of the East African nation to NIMASA led by Rukia D Shante, Vice Chairman, TASAC who also announced the support of the Tanzanian Government for Nigeria's bid to seek election into Category C at the International Maritime O...

The Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the dynamic Comptroller GA Otunla, recently hosted a high-level stakeholder engagement session focuslng on enhancing trade facilitation along the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor. The strategic event which  was held at the Command's conference room, brought together key players in cross-border trade, including representatives from the Benin Republic Customs Authority, trade associations, business leaders, clearing agents from both Nigeria and Benin Republic, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and Customs liaison officers. According to the statement signed and made available to media by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSC Chado Zakaria anipr, said the dialogue centered on improving customs cooperation and streamlining business processes to foster the smooth flow of legitimate trade across the corridor.  Comptroller Otunla in his opening remarks emphasized the significan...

For Officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Services, the past one year has been very eventful,  with issues associated with the epileptic server breakdowns last year in Lagos ports leading to delays in clearance of goods, the Service had to quickly consider introducing a new technology that will provide an enduring efficient service. The constant server breakdown was becoming worrisome to the stakeholders; Importers and customs agents complained of suffering a lot of financial losses due to disruptions in operations. Apparently concerned about the complains, the Customs management team rose to action. This was what led to the introduction of the B’Odogwu project. The Service describes the technology as a locally developed unified management system which main objective is to free customs agents and their importers from constant server breakdown. It was aimed at improving on trade facilitation and ensuring efficiency. As Customs explained, it is to “replace the older Nigeria Integr...

T he Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has made seizures of assorted contraband goods worth more than N1.5 billion within 3weeks This was revealed by the Controller of the Unit, Compt MS Shuaibu while addressing a press briefing yesterday, he also informed  that four suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures. He gave the breakdown of the seizures to include assorted dainty cars, thousands of foreign parboiled rice, cannabis sativa, tramadol, premium motor spirit (PMS) as well as bales of used clothing. The Controller noted that with a renewed efforts which have significantly improved strategies to secure Nigeria’s south western states borders against economic saboteurs said, He said within this short period of three weeks, his unit has inflicted substantial losses on these non-state actors through the interception of numerous illegal goods. While leavraging  on the principles of open governance advocated by the Comptroller G...