Esther Komolafe

A leading expert in maritime sector has warned that Nigeria's National Single Window (NSW) project will fail to transform cargo clearance unless government agencies are equipped with necessary infrastructure. Dr. Segun Alade Musa, Chief Consultant at Global Transport Policy, described the NSW as "an ordinary shell to house agencies" and stressed that interactions may be faster, but without infrastructure, the effort will be frustrated. Points: NSW is not a solution without agency infrastructure upgrade Customs should focus on trade facilitation, not revenue collection Setting revenue targets is "a lazy way of running the economy" End-to-end system automation is needed, not…

A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors, Allied Concessionaries and Blue Economy Alliance, has pledged to unlock strategic investment opportunities to develop Nigeria's maritime tourism economy. The group made this commitment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah. Highlights: Strategic Partnership: The coalition aims to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure. Job Creation: The initiative is designed to create jobs, boost coastal tourism, and expand economic opportunities. nvestment Focus: The group seeks to reposition Nigeria's brown water and blue economy sectors,…

Nigeria's maritime sector has recorded a historic surge in activity in 2025, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) 2025 Operational Performance Report reveals that total cargo throughput surged by 24.8% to 129.3 million metric tons in 2025, with exports accounting for 39% of total cargo. Highlights: Cargo Throughput: 129.3 million metric tons, up from 103.6 million in 2024 Container Traffic: 2.1 million TEUs, up 25.7% Export Containers : 3.1% growth Transshipment Containers: 205.8% increase Lekki Port: Leading port, handling 40.6% of total cargo Vessel Traffic: 12% increase in…

President Bola Tinubu's performance so far has shown promising signs of economic growth and stability. In just two years, he's added $67 billion to Nigeria's GDP, growing the economy from ₦269.29 trillion to ₦372.8 trillion. Nigeria has also maintained a trade surplus for ten consecutive quarters, with exports outpacing imports. Some notable achievements include: Economic Growth: GDP growth stood at 3.40% in 2024 and 3.87% in 2025, with projections of 4.4% growth for 2026. Trade Surplus: Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of $10.83 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Foreign Reserves: Surpassed $50 billion, reaching a 13-year high…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has showcased its impact-focused reform communication model at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) held in Brussels from 25 to 27 February 2026. The presentation, titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned,” highlighted the Service's transition from routine activity reporting to evidence-based storytelling that demonstrates reform outcomes and measurable impact.   Highlights: Reform Communication Framework: The Service's framework is structured around institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder capacity engagement. Time Release Study (TRS): The Service adopted…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has renewed its collaboration with the World Maritime University (WMU) for a four-year period, focusing on development in Nigeria's maritime sector. The partnership aims to enhance the country's maritime capacity and strengthen its participation in global maritime platforms. Highlights: Scholarship Opportunities: NIMASA will sponsor at least 10 officers annually for WMU's Master of Science programme and 1 officer per year for the Master of Philosophy programme. Capacity Building: The partnership includes distance learning programmes, executive professional development courses, joint research initiatives, and technical assistance. Global Engagement: The collaboration will strengthen Nigeria's participation…

The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, has received the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Apapa Strategic Command, Commander of Narcotics Mohammad Tukur. In a bid to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes within the port environment. The visit, which took place on February 27, 2026, aimed to reinforce the existing partnership between the NDLEA and the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command. Commander Tukur commended the Command for its unwavering support in joint operations, intelligence sharing, and sustained efforts at maintaining a secure maritime corridor. CP…

Tantita has donated a modern command control centre and Hilux vehicles to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enhance security coordination and operational efficiency nationwide. The facility was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja. The partnership aligns with the Federal Government's reform agenda aimed at strengthening economic performance and national stability. The centre, equipped with advanced monitoring systems, will support the NSCDC and other security agencies in fulfilling their constitutional mandates. Highlights: Advanced Surveillance: The centre features real-time incident surveillance and 24-hour monitoring capabilities. National Coverage: The facility's operational reach will cover the entire country, despite being located…

The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, has paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) headquarters in Lagos, marking a renewed effort to enhance security coordination and improve operational standards across Nigeria's port system. The visit aimed to strengthen institutional collaboration and deepen operational understanding between both agencies, with a focus on ensuring a secure and conducive environment for trade facilitation, cargo movement, and protection of critical national infrastructure. Highlights: Proactive Policing: CP Agbaminoja reaffirmed the Command's commitment to proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, and stakeholder engagement. Information Sharing: The NSC and…

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has called for sustained support from the Western Naval Command to ensure seamless cargo movement along the Apapa port corridor. This follows a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of Western Naval Command, on February 25th, 2026 . Oshoba emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two agencies, citing the Comptroller-General of Customs' three policy thrusts: Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation. He noted that modern border management requires agencies to work together to achieve common goals, particularly in securing Nigeria's waters and…