Maritimegistplus

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has listened to the voice of Nigerians especially maritime stakeholders who has at different fora called for the extension of the tenure of the current Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.  The CGC who was recently elected as the Chairman of World Customs Organization Council for his transformational effort in prepositional the service was  According to a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy Mr. Bayo Onanuga today, 31st July stated that the extension will the CGC to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete critical initiatives of his administration. The statement reads in full, "The Presidency  announces that the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, which is due to expire on August 31, 2025, has been extended by one year. The extension, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, wil...

The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents- NCJTFLCA has decried the continued exploitation of Nigerians by international Shipping lines operating in the country for their various systematic delay tendencies, obnoxious charges and persistent increase in various charges. This was stated by the National President of the taskforce, Dr.Basil Nwolisa while speaking with a group of journalists at the National headquarters in Apapa on Tuesday. He accused major players like Maersk Line, PIL, Elder Dempster, TICT and MSC, of systematically engineering delays that allow them to use customers’ funds paid as Container Deposit to sustain internal operations, in his words,  “they are running business with our money, when you apply for a refund, it can take one or two months. Meanwhile, they’re using that deposit to run their own business". According to Dr. Nwolisa, some shipping lines operate with fewer than ten physical staff, making real-time customer service impossib...

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, has reaffirmed the agency's commitment to promoting the Federal Government's National Policy on Marine & Blue Economy.  He made this known while delivering his keynote address at the Council's Special Retreat with the theme “Achieving Strategic Intents Through Performance Lens” held at De Phantom Continental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos from 23rd to 24th July, 2025. Dr. Akutah assured that the NSC is ready to align its activities with the National Policy on Marine & Blue Economy, hr informed that all departments, particularly Legal Services, Strategic Planning and Research, Regulatory Services, Cosumer Affairs, Inland Transport Services Departments and Zonal Coordinators are to align annual work plans with relevant components of the national policy. The NSC boss lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his courageous leadership and visionary approach to governanc...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) through the Seme Krake Border Area Command has intercepted five trucks of rice and other smuggled goods worth N1.258bn. The Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD, disclosed this to newsmen on yesterday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Seme.  He said two of the five trucks with 2,800 bags of rice and 250 bales of second hand clothings, were seized between 1st July and 19th July 2025. Comptroller Oramalugo went further to disclosed that the seizures were made possible through “vigilance, resilience, and doggedness of the officers and men of the Command and collaborative support from other security agencies, particularly the Nigerian military. Giving account of the seizures, Oramalugo said, “ For the past two weeks, between the 1st July and 19th July 2025, the operatives of the Command acting on credible intelligence and coordinated enforcement strategies, successfully intercepted and seized a tot...

T he Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its resolve to intensify border security operations and protect the nation's economy from the threats posed by criminal networks. This reaffirmation came during a press briefing held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adeniyi Adewale, on Friday, 18 July 2025. The CGC, who was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Hussein Ejibunu, commended the recent operational successes achieved by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ and Operation Whirlwind. According to him, between 3 June and 18 July, 2025, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ recorded 102 enforcement operations across the South-West zone, resulting in major interceptions of contraband items and the disruption of smuggling syndicates. “The sustained operational tempo and intelligence-led enforcement have resulted in the seizure of goods with...

  Barely weeks after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) set up a committee to implement the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening regulatory collaboration, the two agencies alongside other security outfits, have recorded a major breakthrough with the interception of 16 containers loaded with illicit pharmaceutical products, valued at over ₦20.5 billion, at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizure during a press briefing held at the Command’s headquarters in Onne, Rivers State, on Friday, 18 July 2025. He attributed the successful operation to intelligence-driven enforcement and the renewed synergy among national security and regulatory bodies. “Our anti-smuggling operations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy on border security, public health, and national safety. We remain committed to ensuring that ...

In a major milestone in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr on Thursday, 17 July 2025, commissioned the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Ajegunle, Lagos. The CGC, who led the commissioning ceremony alongside key Senior Customs Officers and stakeholders, including His Royal Highness Oba Muhammed Maruf,  the Olumakinwa of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Hon. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul representative of Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives,  the newly elected Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA, Mayor Fatai Ayeola, and Commissioner for Basic Education in Lagos State, Jamiu Ali-Balogun, among others.  The CGC described the project carried out by the Tincan Island Port Command as a symbol of renewed hope and a deliberate investment in the nation's future. In his words, "We are happy that our intervention has provi...

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has vowed to end Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation by aggressively boosting local fish production.  According to a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister, Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Minister made this declaration while  speaking recently at a high-level consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja, Oyetola outlined a bold vision aimed at transforming the nation’s aquaculture sector into a powerhouse of food security, employment, and export competitiveness. Declaring that “Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production,” Oyetola emphasised that the Federal Government is fully committed to supporting the fisheries and aquaculture subsector through policy, technical support, and financial inclusion.  “We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, ...

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in its role as the Designated Authority for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria, has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals, both located in the Ijegun-Egba area  of Lagos. The enforcement action follows persistent non-compliance by the facilities with the provisions of the ISPS Code, despite several formal warnings. The move, according to a release issued by the Head of Public Relations Unit of the agency, Mr. Osagie Edward FNIPR, aligns with global best practices and is in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months. The release further stated that the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola while speaking on the development, emphasized that the move is in line with the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime ...

The Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the first half of the year recorded a total revenue collection of N204,725,634,459.55, this shows a significant difference of N52,077,116,927.50 higher than the sum of N152,648,517,532.05 recorded in the same period of 2024, representing a 34.1 per cent increase. The Customs Area Controller (CAC,)  of the command,  Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, attributed this milestone to the successful implementation of the B’Odogwu platform, saying the platform has generated the sum of N301,890,791,315.50 since it was implemented in the command on November 11, 2024, pointing out that despite the initial challenges, the platform has achieved over 90 per cent stakeholder utilisation and compliance level. The CAC, while briefing newsmen at a press briefing on Wednesday, informed that the Command has started receiving cargo from the Far East/China, in addition to Europe and American ships berthing at th...

In its continued efforts to promote efficient cross-border trade and foster inter-agency collaboration, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recently paid a working visit to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko Border, Ogun State ably headed by Comptroller Godwin Otunla. The visit, which focused on strengthening operational ties, identifying joint strategies to address barriers to trade and reinforcing ethical practices along the corridors. The engagement also explored the role of both agencies in streamlining border processes and supporting the Federal Government’s goal of boosting regional commerce. The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, MON who was represented at the visit by Ms. Adaora Nwonu, the Deputy Director, Trade Services, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the Customs Service to advance cross-border trade facilitation and promote economic development. “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed...

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, has encouraged members of the NSC Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited to prioritise real estate and other viable ventures as a means of growing their financial stability and long-term wealth. Dr. Akutah gave the charge during the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Cooperative Society, held on Friday, 11th July 2025 at the NSC headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. Commending the performance of the Cooperative, especially its financial record and unity among members, the NSC boss called on the leadership to do more in educating staff on the importance of property ownership. “I didn’t get to learn the value of owning properties early. As a young man, I thought shelter was my father’s responsibility. But land and property investments are the best you can make. Properties appreciate; cars depreciate,” he remarked. In his remarks, the President of the NSC Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has on Wednesday 9 July, 2025 received high commendation from the Nigerian Senate following the election of its Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council. The Senate, at plenary, praised the landmark achievement as a testament to the visionary leadership and ongoing institutional reforms championed by CGC Adeniyi since his appointment in 2023. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, described the development as a proud moment for the country and a strategic positioning of Nigeria in global customs and trade governance. “This unprecedented achievement not only places Nigeria on the global map but also empowers us to influence international trade flows in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope economic agenda,” Senator Barau stated. Some of the Senators who spoke during the plenary said the Comptroller-General’s emergence as WCO Council Chair, the first ever by a Nigerian, ...

The commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to capacity building has yet been reaffirmed by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr as the service Senior officers graduates at the National Institute of International Affairs NIIA. The CGC made this known during the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course in Complex Customs Operations, held on Friday, 11 July 2025, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos. Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) described the training as “a different level” of professional development to equip senior officers to confront new global trade, security, and customs administration challenges. “We have structures for basic training, refresher courses, and command and staff college programmes, but this is a different level. With trainings like this, we expose our officers to global best practices, the dynamics in international trade, and how it affects t...

  ...Hands over 25 Containers of Pharmaceutical Products to NAFADAC The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), has announced the end of rerouting of containers of pharmaceuticals products to bonded terminals This was announced by the Comptroller General of Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR during the handing over of 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products at the Apapa Area Command to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) on Friday. The CGC disclosed that this decision was necessitated due to the violation of trade regulations by some bonded terminals. He further explained that  henceforth, every pharmaceutical product will be cleared only in designated ports of Apapa (right inside the port),  PTML, Onne Ports and International Airport to ensure proper monitoring of these products in order to safeqaurd the health of the citizenry from the menace of use of fake and unregistered drugs and also to check fraudulent activities that are being perpet...

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been honoured by the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives for its unwavering commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and audit compliance. The special recognition was conferred during the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance held in Abuja  a high-level forum that convened lawmakers, anti-graft agencies, civil society groups, and public finance experts to explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal architecture. In their remarks, the leadership of the two Committees praised the NPA for maintaining high standards of financial reporting and for demonstrating consistent support for public accountability processes. They described the award as a symbol of institutional integrity, noting that the NPA stood out for its proactive audit compliance and strategic backing of the conference. “The Authority’s contributions were pivotal in making this policy dialogue a reality,” the ...