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The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) has honoured the Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, with its 2026 Leadership Excellence Award for Outstanding Enforcement and Trade Facilitation. The award was presented during CONMMEP's Annual General Meeting, Lecture and Awards Ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, where maritime journalists, regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders gathered to examine the role of enforcement, trade and the media in advancing Nigeria's economic development. Speaking at the event, CONMMEP President Udo Onyeka said the recognition was in appreciation of Comptroller Aliyu's leadership, which has successfully combined robust anti-smuggling operations with measures aimed at facilitating legitimate trade and improving operational efficiency. According to him, the award reflects Aliyu's commitment to professionalism, transparency and intelligence-driven...

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has congratulated his former Chief of Staff and current Managing Director of the South West Development Commission (SWDC),  Dr Charles Akindiji Akinola, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, describing him as an outstanding public servant, accomplished development strategist and trusted ally whose contributions have left an enduring mark on governance and national development.  In a congratulatory message, Oyetola lauded Akinola's intellect, integrity and commitment to public service, noting that he had consistently demonstrated visionary leadership in every position he had occupied. He said Akinola's years of service as Chief of Staff during his administration as Governor of Osun State and later as Chief of Staff in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, were characterised by diligence, strategic thinking and an uncommon ability to translate policy into measurable results. The minist...

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has intensified its campaign against stowaways by taking public awareness to grassroot communities. At Snake Island, Lagos, the Agency engaged community leaders, youths and residents on the dangers and consequences of stowing away on vessels. Residents commended NIMASA for the enlightenment campaign, describing it as timely and impactful. Head of International Ships and Ports Security ISPS, Unit, Mr. Mudi Isa, who led the NIMASA team emphasised that stowaway incidents damages Nigeria’s reputation in the global maritime community he reaffirmed NIMASA’s commitment to preventive awareness through community engagement.

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi Sifax Chairman  The 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference is building momentum as the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, in partnership with SIFAX Group, prepare to host what has become West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference which brings   together more than 2,000 participants from government, academia, maritime industry, corporate organisations and the media. Over the last decade, SIFAX Group has remained the conference’s strongest supporter, helping to transform the conference into a leading platform for youth engagement, industry collaboration and maritime capacity development. Scheduled to hold on July 20th –21st, 2026, the conference will commemorate a decade of advancing maritime education, policy discourse and youth leadership under the theme, “ Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant". The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and polic...

A new thought-leadership podcast, Policy Without Politics, has launched to deepen public understanding of the policies shaping economies, businesses, markets and everyday life. Hosted by Mustafa Chike-Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe, the weekly podcast is available on YouTube and invites viewers to subscribe for rigorous, non-partisan conversations on governance, public policy, development and the business environment. Positioned as a platform for clear thinking without partisan noise, Policy Without Politics connects decisions made in capitals to their impact on companies, markets, citizens and communities, with global relevance grounded in an African context. Each episode explores the forces shaping trade, fiscal and monetary decisions, regulation, investment and development. Speaking on the vision behind the podcast, Dr. Ken Ikpe said: “Policy touches every life, every business and every economy. Our goal is to make these conversations accessible, practical and useful, so that more people ca...

In a significant move to strengthen strategic communication and professionalise its Public Relations workforce, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Monday, 13 July 2026, inducted seventy Public Relations officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), marking the Service's first mass induction into the Institute since 2013.  The ceremony, held at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, reflects the Service's commitment to building a corps of certified communication professionals equipped to effectively project its reforms, operations and institutional achievements. Addressing the newly inducted officers, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, according to a press release issured by the National Public Relations Officer NPRO, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada described the induction as a strategic investment in the future of the Service's communication architecture. He noted that the Service's transformation, including its recognitio...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command in another excellent milestone in it's enforcement operation has  seized Twenty-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-Five Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand,Seven Hundred and Seventy-One Naira (₦26,569,847,771) only worth of Cannabis Indica weighing 4,143.5 kilograms during a routine examination together with the personnel of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Command’s Enforcement Unit. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSC Isah Sulaiman while relying on credible intelligence together with the NDLEA, has directed that a 1×40ft container with number FANU1933352, be subjected to thorough examination which resulted in the discovery on Friday, 10 July 2026. The container was found to contain Three (3)  used vehicles- Red Nissan Micra (2015 model) Black Toyo...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its anti-smuggling initiative, Operation Whirlwind, on Monday auctioned 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol,  which were intercepted along the Lagos and Ogun border corridors. The public auction, held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, followed the interception of the petroleum products during intelligence-led operations carried out across Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and the Seme-Badagry axis. Speaking at the exercise on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Lucky Aliyu said the auction was conducted in line with the Nigeria Customs Service's commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in the disposal of seized petroleum products. He disclosed that the operation led to the seizure of 820 jerrycans of 25 litres each, amounting to 20,500 litres of PMS, as well as five vehicles used to t...

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to port modernisation and digital transformation, while calling for stronger collaboration with the media to enhance public understanding of ongoing reforms in Nigeria's maritime sector. The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, made the call when he received some members of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) during a courtesy visit. Speaking on the Authority's reform agenda, Onyemekara said the NPA's digital initiatives, particularly the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system, were introduced in line with global best practices to improve operational efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks and restore order to port operations. He noted that resistance to the reforms has largely come from individuals and groups that previously benefited from inefficiencies within the port system. According to him, the Authority has continued to collaborate w...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of efforts to prepare a new crop of senior officers for higher leadership responsibilities and sustain ongoing reforms across the Service. The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada. The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, declared the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. ACG Gaura described the participants as officers carefully selected for higher responsibilities within the Service, saying the training was designed to prepare them to lead by example. He added, “These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel; This training goes beyond professional competence; it focuses on dis...