Nigerian Maritime Organization

Nigerian Maritime Organization The Maritime industry in Nigeria is yet to occupy it's rightful position. In the journey, it requires a strong industry voice. This is the mission.

An international trade consultant, Okey Ibeke, alleges Nigeria lost over $600 million in Customs duties and VAT across t...
02/06/2026

An international trade consultant, Okey Ibeke, alleges Nigeria lost over $600 million in Customs duties and VAT across three decades due to foreign shipping lines selling temporarily imported empty containers locally without proper conversion, urging the Nigeria Customs Service to suspend such sales (citing Grimaldi) and audit container transactions to recover unpaid duties and enforce compliance with Customs, CBN, NPA, and Shippers’ Council regulations.

Ibeke claims improper local sales of empty import containers have deprived Nigeria of more than $600 million in duties and VAT over 30 years.
Grimaldi Agency Nigeria’s planned sale of 2,500 containers for USD payments triggered calls for suspension pending a full audit.
Containers are under “Temporary Import” status and must be re-exported or formally converted with duties, VAT, and levies paid before lawful local sale.
Conversion requires application to NCS, customs valuation, payment into government accounts, and issuance of a release order—steps allegedly skipped.
Using 2026 tariff rates, an unlawfully sold $2,000 container could cost government $350–$400 in lost revenue, scaling to substantial losses per transaction.
Industry estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of containers sold locally (e.g., as shops or storage) without duty over decades.
Trade imbalance (imports heavy, exports light and non-containerized) causes ships to leave largely empty, incentivizing abandonment or sale of empties.
Repatriation costs ($2,000–$4,000 per 20ft) further encourage shipping lines to dispose of containers locally rather than export them.
Complaints include arbitrary dollar-denominated demurrage/detention, delayed deposit refunds, forced use of nominated transporters, and withholding documents.
Ibeke references NCS Act 2023, CBN FX Manual, NPA temporary import guidelines, and Nigerian Shippers’ Council rules as legal bases being violated.
He recommends suspension of container sales, a system-wide audit from 2006, reconciliation of exit records with Customs data, and recovery of unpaid duties, taxes, levies, and penalties.
The objective is enforcement of law and revenue protection, not deterring investors, according to Ibeke.

Foreign naval vessels from Africa and beyond have arrived in Lagos for Nigeria’s 2026 International Fleet Review (IFR), ...
01/06/2026

Foreign naval vessels from Africa and beyond have arrived in Lagos for Nigeria’s 2026 International Fleet Review (IFR), a central event in the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, which will showcase naval capabilities, foster international maritime partnerships, and include a maritime exhibition and the Sixth Sea Power for Africa Symposium focused on leveraging technology for enhanced maritime security.

Foreign warships from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Brazil, Benin and South Africa will join Nigerian Navy ships for the IFR in Lagos.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to review participating vessels at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront.
The IFR aims to demonstrate interoperability, operational excellence and cooperation in maritime security among participating navies.
Planned activities include a grand parade of ships, live operational demonstrations, ceremonial inspections and diplomatic engagements.
An International Maritime Exhibition will showcase advanced technologies, equipment and innovative naval solutions.
The Sixth Sea Power for Africa Symposium will center on “Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Maritime Security in Africa.”
Navy leadership expects the events to strengthen regional and global naval partnerships and improve maritime governance and security.

Nigeria’s maritime agency (NIMASA) and Liberia are strengthening bilateral cooperation to advance regional maritime inte...
01/06/2026

Nigeria’s maritime agency (NIMASA) and Liberia are strengthening bilateral cooperation to advance regional maritime integration, capacity development, and the blue economy; the partnership aims to build African maritime capacity, create youth opportunities, and promote sustainable regional growth, with Liberia backing Nigeria’s successful IMO Category C bid.

Key Points
NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola hosted Liberia’s Honorary Consul Dapo Akinosun to reinforce maritime ties.
The meeting underscores long-standing, mutually beneficial maritime relations between Nigeria and Liberia.
Both countries view stronger collaboration as essential to unlocking Africa’s maritime potential and boosting the blue economy.
The partnership focuses on capacity development, regional cooperation, and creating opportunities for African youth in the maritime industry.
Liberia supported Nigeria’s successful candidacy for the IMO Category C seat.
The Liberian envoy emphasized maritime trade, safety, and administration as drivers of economic growth and regional integration.
NIMASA’s management was commended for efforts to reposition Nigeria’s maritime industry for sustainable growth and investment.

Nigeria’s efforts to build a competitive maritime workforce are hampered by limited sea-time opportunities, insufficient...
01/06/2026

Nigeria’s efforts to build a competitive maritime workforce are hampered by limited sea-time opportunities, insufficient numbers of foreign-going Nigerian-flagged vessels, and restricted international recognition of Nigerian Certificates of Competency (CoC); industry leaders call for strengthened maritime education, greater use of experienced instructors, government incentives for cadet training, and institutional reforms to align certification with international standards.

Key Points
Limited sea-time on large international vessels prevents cadets from gaining required practical experience for international CoCs.
Nigeria’s small fleet of foreign-going ships reduces opportunities for mandatory sea-time needed for advancement.
Certificates of Competency depend on knowledge, experience, and attitude, and coastal training alone is insufficient for international roles.
International recognition of Nigerian CoCs is limited, requiring Certificate of Equivalence or audits by flag states.
Historical investment and regional structures (e.g., Ghana’s Regional Maritime University) contributed to stronger certification frameworks elsewhere.
Shortage of experienced lecturers and examiners in Nigerian maritime academies undermines training quality.
Industry stakeholders urge government incentives (e.g., levy/port charge discounts) to encourage shipowners to take and train Nigerian cadets.
Recent collaborations (e.g., Maritime Academy–Nigeria LNG) have provided some sea-time opportunities but are insufficient in scale.
NIMASA and the IMO are involved in reviewing curricula, examinations, and certification toward international recognition.

Nigeria’s National Hydrographic Agency, led by Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, has had its first nautical cartography pr...
01/06/2026

Nigeria’s National Hydrographic Agency, led by Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, has had its first nautical cartography programme certified by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), marking a major milestone that enhances the country’s technical capacity in hydrography, boosts maritime education and safety, and positions Nigeria as a regional maritime knowledge hub with expanded opportunities for international collaboration.

Key Points
The IHO granted international certification to Nigeria’s first nautical cartography programme following the IBSC meeting.
Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, Hydrographer of the Federation and NHA CEO, led the initiative driving the achievement.
The certification places Nigeria among a select group of nations with globally recognized hydrographic training.
The National Hydrographic Agency (established by 2022 legislation) is Nigeria’s central authority for hydrographic and oceanographic operations.
Internationally certified training is expected to improve navigational safety, offshore operations, and marine environmental protection.
Certification under IHO S-5 and S-8 standards opens doors for professional exchange, regional partnerships, and scientific collaboration.
The recognition strengthens Nigeria’s technical competence and supports its ambitions to be a maritime knowledge hub across the Gulf of Guinea and Africa.

The Federal Government has completed approvals and compliance steps for five proposed deep-sea ports (Badagry, Olokola, ...
21/05/2026

The Federal Government has completed approvals and compliance steps for five proposed deep-sea ports (Badagry, Olokola, Ibom, Bakassi, Bonny) to attract investment and reclaim over 70% of regional cargo traffic, while pursuing short-, medium- and long-term measures—rehabilitating existing ports, adopting technology-driven systems, and fostering regional cooperation—to modernize West and Central African ports and strengthen maritime trade capacity.

The Nigerian Ports Authority approved five deep-sea port projects: Badagry, Olokola, Ibom, Bakassi, and Bonny.
Approvals and regulatory groundwork are complete, though investor negotiations continue due to high capital needs.
The projects aim to enable Nigeria to handle larger vessels, expand trade capacity, and bolster regional logistics.
Nigeria currently handles over 70% of cargo traffic in the West and Central African sub-region and serves landlocked neighbors.
The government plans combined short-, medium- and long-term strategies including port rehabilitation and technology deployment.
PMAWCA members resolved to deepen use of National Single Window and Port Community Systems to speed cargo clearance.
Regional modernization by Ghana, Senegal, Benin and others increases competition, requiring aggressive upgrades to remain globally competitive.
The Lekki Deep Sea Port visit showcased the benefits of strategic investment and public–private collaboration.
Officials emphasized regional cooperation, climate resilience, and transition to greener shipping as strategic priorities.

Three years after the University of Maritime Studies, Oron was legally created by repealing the Maritime Academy of Nige...
20/05/2026

Three years after the University of Maritime Studies, Oron was legally created by repealing the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Act, the upgrade remains only on paper while the abolished academy continues to operate and receive billions of naira, a situation driven by competing financial interests, weak accountability, and political hesitation that has left funds unaccounted for and the community frustrated.

The University of Maritime Studies, Oron was established by law on 16 February 2023, repealing the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Act.
Despite the law, the academy still functions operationally—admitting students, receiving budget allocations, and spending—creating a legal and administrative contradiction.
Government steps (ministerial directives, JAMB orientation) have been limited and have not completed the institutional transition in practice.
Powerful interests reportedly favor keeping the academy structure because it receives discretionary funding from agencies like NIMASA, creating a financial incentive to stall the transition.
NIMASA remitted at least N12.21 billion to the academy between 2021 and 2024, while academy spending recorded on public portals is far lower, leaving large sums unexplained.
Historical investigations and allegations (2015 fraud probe, 2021 misuse claims, Senate and ICPC scrutiny) show longstanding concerns about the academy’s financial management.
Federal budgets continue to list and allocate funds to the abolished academy (allocations for 2024–2026), raising legal risks for the National Assembly and exposing institutional noncompliance.
Host communities and local groups (Oron leaders, Oro Youth Movement) have pressured the government for implementation, citing lost opportunities and legal rights.
A contrasting case—Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko—was operationalized quickly after its law, illustrating what is possible with political will and compliance.
Key ministries and parliamentary committees did not respond to detailed inquiries from the investigating outlet, leaving accountability and timelines unclear.

Nigeria boosts maritime security capacity with 177 new graduatesAbstractNigeria’s Deep Blue Project showcased enhanced m...
20/05/2026

Nigeria boosts maritime security capacity with 177 new graduates

Abstract
Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project showcased enhanced maritime operational capacity and inter-agency cooperation by graduating 177 specially trained personnel, contributing to a sharp decline in piracy and improved maritime security that supports safer trade routes, lower insurance costs, and greater international recognition.

Key Points
The Deep Blue Project graduated 177 personnel to strengthen maritime security across Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
Piracy incidents reportedly fell from about 35 in 2020 to six after full deployment of Deep Blue assets.
Graduates include 33 special mission officers, 107 intervention boat drivers, and 23 helicopter pilots and technicians.
Trainees were equipped to operate interceptor boats, unmanned aerial systems, and emergency response equipment for rapid intervention.
The initiative highlights strong inter-agency collaboration among the Navy, NIMASA, and other security institutions.
Improved maritime security has lowered war risk insurance costs and helped rebuild investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Nigeria’s enhanced maritime profile contributed to its election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization.
Officials emphasized the need for sustained vigilance and continued cooperation to maintain long-term maritime stability.
The ceremony reaffirmed commitments to expand operational capacity and keep Nigeria’s maritime domain safe and economically viable.

Dangote Industries has initiated preliminary steps to build a massive deep-sea port within the Olokola Free Trade Zone i...
20/05/2026

Dangote Industries has initiated preliminary steps to build a massive deep-sea port within the Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ogun State—a project covering over 10,000 hectares that aims to expand the group's logistics and export capacity, alleviate congestion at Lagos ports, and drive regional industrial and job growth.

Key Points
Dangote Industries has started preliminary processes and stakeholder engagement for a deep-sea port in Ogun State.
The proposed port would occupy more than 10,000 hectares in the Olokola Free Trade Zone.
The project is part of Dangote’s broader expansion into logistics, maritime infrastructure, and export-driven industrialisation.
Consultations with coastal communities in Ogun and Ondo states have begun, including discussions on environmental assessments and compensation.
The port is expected to support Dangote’s refinery, petrochemical, and fertilizer operations by improving logistics.
Development could reduce congestion and delays at Lagos ports such as Apapa and Tin Can.
The project may create thousands of construction and operational jobs and attract further investment to the region.

NIMASA, Hydrography Agency Strengthen Collaboration on Maritime SafetyThe Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Ag...
19/05/2026

NIMASA, Hydrography Agency Strengthen Collaboration on Maritime Safety

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Hydrographic Office have formalized an enhanced collaborative framework aimed at improving maritime safety and navigational efficiency within Nigeria’s waters. This partnership consolidates institutional strengths in regulatory oversight, search-and-rescue coordination, and hydrographic data provision.

Central to the agreement is the systematic exchange of hydrographic and bathymetric data to refine nautical charts, electronic navigational charts (ENCs), and tidal information—essential tools for safe passage planning. NIMASA’s regulatory and enforcement capacities, combined with the Hydrographic Office’s technical expertise in seabed mapping and oceanographic surveying, will enable more accurate risk assessments and targeted interventions in high-traffic and environmentally sensitive zones.

The collaboration also emphasizes capacity building and technological modernization. Joint training programs, shared use of survey vessels and remote-sensing platforms, and coordinated research initiatives are expected to raise national capabilities in hydrographic surveying, chart production, and maritime domain awareness. These measures will support safer navigation, reduce incidents of groundings and collisions, and bolster environmental protection efforts.

Operational integration between the agencies is designed to expedite the dissemination of navigational warnings, Notices to Mariners, and real-time hazard alerts to vessel operators and port authorities. Streamlined information flows will enhance incident response times and improve coordination during search-and-rescue operations and pollution incidents.

By aligning regulatory oversight with robust hydrographic science, the NIMASA–Hydrographic Office partnership represents a pragmatic step toward strengthening maritime governance. The initiative should contribute to safer, more efficient maritime trade, protect marine ecosystems, and reinforce Nigeria’s capacity to manage its maritime domain. Continued investment in data quality, technology, and interagency coordination will be critical to sustaining these gains.

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