Maritimegistplus

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), recently concluded a three-day high-level stakeholder engagement in Lagos. ‎ The engagement which is titled, “Achieving a 7-Day Cargo Dwell Time,” the session, which brought together the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) under the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Accelerator (BEEPA) framework which was hosted by the NPA was geared towards streamlining port processes to bolster the Ease of Doing Business in Nigerian Ports. ‎ ‎The engagement, which was held at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) in Apapa, followed an extensive on the spot exercise where officials were conducted round the ports and terminals to observed real-time vessel berthing and cargo clearance operations at both the TinCan Island and Lagos Port complexes. ‎ ‎The Director General of PEBEC, Zahrah Mustapha while speaking at the event, emphasized that the session was designed...

The TinCan Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over three container load of expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). ‎ ‎In a brief handover ceremony, the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank O. Onyeka noted that the event underpinned the collective efforts to protect public health and national security. He said that the formal handing over of the three units of 20ft containers of expired pharmaceutical products would enable NAFDAC to take appropriate regulatory action on the items. ‎ ‎The Controller explained that the containers include units with number PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, which were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets. He hinted that the consignments were thoroughly examined and resultd revealed that the first container contained 86 cartons of Vingil Tramadol BP 50mg, while the second container held 250 cartons of the same expired Tramadol product. ‎ ‎According t...

Following the success of its maritime security architecture known as the Deep Blue project, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is considering an expansion of the project which impact has been felt across the Gulf of Guinea and gained global recognition, to ensure sustainability and greater impact. ‎ ‎Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, made this known during his strategic visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday. ‎ ‎Mobereola, while commending the Navy for their harmonious collaboration with NIMASA and congratulating the CNS who had perviously served as Maritime Guard Commander under the Agency, called for continued partnership with the Navy under his watch. ‎ ‎He said, "It is important that we continue our partnership and strengthen our relationship. Our purpose here is to congratulate you, and to discuss the benefits of the Deep Blue Project; how to sust...

  ...AS ACG BABANDEDE CHARGES OFFICERS ON INTEGRITY AND TRADE FACILITATION ‎ ‎ The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, Thursday, 5 February 2026, played host to the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, on a familiarisation visit during which he commended officers and men of the Command for their exceptional performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation throughout last year 2025. ‎ ‎While addressing officers during the visit, the Zonal Coordinator stated that the purpose of his visit was to acknowledge the operational challenges faced by the Command, appreciate its notable achievements and further boost the morale of personnel who have consistently surpassed expectations, particularly in revenue collection where the Command exceeded its annual target. ‎ ‎ The ACG also lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling efforts, especially the significant s...

‎ The TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in its onslaught against drug trafficking and anti-smuggling, recently inflicted a heavy injury to the finances of drug traffickers . This is because the Command working in collaboration with sister agencies has seized a humongous amount of Cannabis Indica, a more potent strain of Cannabis that was imported into the country. ‎ ‎Briefing newsmen on the seizure on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka said “Today we gather to inform you about the recent development in our operations to secure ournation’s borders and ensure public safety, which aligns with the topic of this year’s WCO 2026 International Customs Day, “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment". ‎ ‎ “Precisely on Wednesday 28 January, 2026, after an extensive physical examination conducted by our officers, alongside other relevant agencies, which included the operatives of the Nati...

‎ The TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) last fiscal year 2025 recorded a total revenue collection of ₦1,609,874,328,972.55 trillion marking a significant milestone in the Command’s operational history. ‎ ‎The Comptroller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this during a colourful award ceremony organized to recognise and reward officers whose dedication and professionalism contributed to the record-breaking performance. According to him, the amount collected surpassed the Command’s annual revenue target of ₦1,524,669,999,478.52 by a notable margin of ₦85,204,329,494.03. ‎ ‎ The event which was held on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at it’s headquarters in Lagos, according to Command's Public Relations officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs CSC Oscar Ivara was described by the Area Controller as an achievement which was based on the result of collective effort, enhanced efficiency and transparency, rather than individual contribution...

‎Following the strategic enforcement operations of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) , 144 smuggling attempts were recently thwarted by the zone as the unit recorded a major breakthrough with the interception of contraband goods valued at over ₦3.3 billion. ‎ ‎This was disclosed at the maiden press briefing of the Area Controller of Zone 'A', Comptroller Gambo Aliyu on Tuesday 3rd February, 2026 which was  held at the command  headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, which he described as his first official engagement with the media since he assumed office as the Customs Area Controller of the zone. ‎ ‎Reaffirming the commitment of the unit to strengthening border security, protecting the economy and upholding professionalism in line with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service,  Gambo revealed that upon assumption of duty few weeks earlier, his leadership introduced a reform agenda anchored on Change Management, Compliance Mana...

R eaffirming its commitment to border security, trade facilitation and inter-agency collaboration , the Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), ‎ ‎Speaking at the handover ceremony on Friday, 30 January 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, said the exercise underscored Customs’ zero-tolerance for smuggling and its resolve to ensure that only legitimate trade thrives within Nigeria’s borders. Comptroller Anani noted that the handover was carried out with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi PhD, mfr. ‎ ‎According to the CAC, the items handed over included five pistols of different makes, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, 51 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, four 9mm magazines, 40 rounds of assorted 9mm and blank/hollow ...

The Ogun 1 command  of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has announced the seizures of various contraband goods worth over N4.130 billion for in the twelve months of 2025. ‎ ‎The command, under the leadership of Deputy Comptroller Afeni, made this known during a press briefing with newsmen at the Headquarters of the command in Idiroko yesterday, January 29th 2026 ‎ ‎He stated that the seizures made were as a result of intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of officers, the command boss also  disclosed that more than N454,672,406.30 was generated and remitted into the federation and non-federation accounts of the government ‎ ‎ This clearly shows that the revenue profile of the command has significantly increased by about 47 per cent when compared with the sum of N275,835,602.00 generated  in the year 2024. He pledged to do more to surpass what was collected last year. ‎ ‎‘The revenue, according to the acting Comptroller was actualized through the c...

The Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Saunders, has described Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a practical and evidence-based reform capable of strengthening border efficiency, boosting trade competitiveness within trade corridors in Africa and enhancing national safety. ‎ ‎Saunders stated this on Monday, 26th January 2026, during the presentation of the TRS Report conducted at Tin Can Island Port, noting that the study offers Nigeria “specific and objective insights” into how its border clearance processes function and where targeted improvements can be made. ‎ ‎According to him, the TRS, implemented with the support of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, goes beyond policy formulation by translating reform goals into measurable operational outcomes. ‎ ‎“The findings of this study provide Nigeria with a clear opportunity to deliver equally clear improvements that will strengthen both the economy and the safety of the country,” S...