Gulf of Guinea Focus: Week 16
- Agwe Global
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening port security in line with international standards, as the United States Coast Guard (USCG) continues to provide technical support for improved compliance with provisions of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code. A delegation from the USCG, led by the Chief of International Port Security Operations, Mr. Bryan Ullmer, was in Nigeria on a five-day assessment visit to key port facilities in Lagos, including Rano, PTML, Five Star Logistics Terminal, Standard Flour Mill, and NNPC Jetty. The visit was aimed at evaluating the level of compliance of these facilities with the ISPS Code. Speaking after the facility tour, Ullmer commended the progress made by Nigeria over the years, noting that the partnership between both countries has yielded tangible improvements in maritime security.
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The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, has reinforced the Customs’ drive to secure the nation’s waterways by deploying seven operational patrol vessels to the Western Marine Command, significantly boosting the Command’s capacity to combat smuggling and other maritime crimes. The vessels, comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats, have been officially handed over to the Command, increasing its fleet to significantly enhance patrol coverage and rapid response capacity within its area of responsibility. Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Comptroller of Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, said the deployment reflects the Service’s strategic commitment to strengthening enforcement across critical maritime corridors. “These assets are a clear demonstration of our resolve to secure Nigeria’s waterways against economic sabotage and transnational crimes.
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Nigeria’s maritime sector is coming under increasing structural pressure despite modest gains in revenue, a new policy advisory by the Sea Empowerment & Research Centre (SEREC) has indicated. The report cautions that weakening export efficiency, persistent port congestion, and growing competition from neighbouring ports could undermine Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s leading maritime hub. Titled “Maritime Reform at a Crossroads: Data Signals, Export Concerns, and the Urgent Need for Execution Discipline,” the advisory points to concerning trends recorded in the first quarter of 2026. Although customs revenue posted an estimated growth of between 12 and 18 percent, operational indicators such as cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround remain suboptimal. According to the report, average cargo dwell time exceeded 15 days, while vessel turnaround time ranged between four and six days.
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The Nigerian and South African Navies have strengthened their partnership on maritime security across Africa, a cooperation stemming from their inaugural Naval Staff Talks at Naval Base, Simon’s Town in Cape Town, South Africa. In a statement, Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, stated the talks aimed to build a strong framework for naval cooperation. He said this would protect both nations’ maritime interests and bolster continental security. He revealed the Nigerian delegation was led by Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, while Rear Admiral S. Makhanya headed the South African side. Endorsed by Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of the Nigerian Naval Staff, and his counterpart Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, the discussions covered maritime domain awareness, joint training, operational cooperation, and capacity building. He stressed these efforts target threats like piracy, illegal fishing, and transnational crime, adding the Nigerian team also toured the Institute of Maritime Technology and the South African Naval Museum, gaining insights into local innovations and heritage.
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https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/04/21/nigeria-south-africa-navies-deepen-ties-on-maritime-security/
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft have arrested three suspected stowaways who attempted to migrate illegally to Europe aboard the merchant vessel MSC Stella (IMO No. 9279988) off the Lagos Fairway Buoy. The suspects — Aguru Michael, 27, a national of the Benin Republic; Soye Monday, 25, from Ondo State; and Kentobou Peter, 22, from Delta State — were apprehended April 19, following intelligence from the Western Regional Control Centre (WRCC) at about 5:05 p.m. The Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation reflects the Navy’s ongoing Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime security efforts. He explained that the Quick Response Team (QRT) of NNS Beecroft, based at Tarkwa Bay, was deployed immediately after the alert and intercepted the vessel about five nautical miles off the Lagos coastline. Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects boarded the vessel around 1:00 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port. “This recent rescue effort reflects the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding lives at sea.
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Nigeria loses an estimated N7.97 trillion yearly to persistent maritime inefficiencies, misaligned policy priorities, weak execution and an overemphasis on infrastructure expansion at the expense of efficiency. This was contained in a presidential advisory paper by the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) titled, ‘When Projects Replace Progress: Nigeria’s Maritime Sector at the Edge of Strategic Irrelevance’, and signed by the Head of Research, Dr Eugene Nweke. According to SEREC, Nigeria’s maritime challenges are rooted in a history of misplaced priorities, including port expansion without corresponding evacuation infrastructure, underutilised inland container depots, the proliferation of deep seaports without a coordinated national cargo strategy, building projects instead of systems, announcing reforms instead of delivering outcomes and chasing revenue instead of creating trade value. The research centre said Nigeria is losing between N2.5 trillion and N4 trillion yearly due to inefficiencies across the maritime sector.
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