Esther Komolafe

Nigeria's maritime sector has undergone significant reforms, but the impact on local content development remains a concern. The sector's contribution to the economy is substantial, accounting for 16% of GDP in 2023. However, indigenous players are being excluded from major activities, with foreigners dominating the scene. Experts argue that a deliberate policy is needed to promote indigenous participation in the sector. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has been successful in increasing local content participation in the oil and gas sector, but a similar approach is needed in the maritime sector. The Cabotage Act, enacted in 2003, aims…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently celebrated its outstanding officers at the 2024 CGC Excellence Awards Night in Abuja. The event, hosted by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, aimed to promote professionalism and recognize exceptional service within the Service . The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, and law enforcement agencies. Dignitaries in attendance included the Representative of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun . CGC Adeniyi emphasized the significance of celebrating excellence within the Service, stating that positive reinforcement…

The maritime industry in Nigeria has witnessed a decline from its glorious past, prompting stakeholders to seek answers to the challenges facing the sector. This was the focus of discussion at the PortNews Summit 2024, where stakeholders gathered to proffer solutions to the anomalies in the industry. In his welcome address, Mr. Wale Oni, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of PortNews Newspaper, highlighted the achievements of the Nigerian maritime industry in the past. He noted that the industry flourished under the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), with the National Shipping Line (NNSL) having about 30 vessels in its fleet. However, Oni lamented…

  The maritime industry in Nigeria has witnessed a decline from its glorious past, prompting stakeholders to seek answers to the challenges facing the sector. This was the focus of discussion at the PortNews Summit 2024, where stakeholders gathered to proffer solutions to the anomalies in the industry. In his welcome address, Mr. Wale Oni, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of PortNews Newspaper, highlighted the achievements of the Nigerian maritime industry in the past. He noted that the industry flourished under the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), with the National Shipping Line (NNSL) having about 30 vessels in its fleet. However, Oni…

As the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) prepares for its upcoming elections, the outgoing President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has issued a stern warning to parastatals, companies, and other external agents to refrain from interfering in the union's democratic process . Adeyanju, who has been at the helm of MWUN since 2017, emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of the electoral process during the Union's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos. He stressed that the union's electoral process is democratic and stands on a tradition of the delegate process, which is strictly adhered to in accordance…

The much-anticipated PortNews Port Reforms Summit is set to take place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos. The summit has generated significant interest among stakeholders in the maritime industry, with its theme, "Port Reforms and Local Content: Has Nigeria Fared Well?" sparking intense discourse among port users and key maritime stakeholders The summit aims to review the port reforms implemented between 2002 and 2006, which led to the concession of NPA port terminals to local and foreign private investors. Stakeholders from various associations, including the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has initiated an investigation into a disturbing viral video depicting customs officers maltreating civilians . The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows officers attached to the command engaging in unethical conduct. The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Kayode Kolade, has strongly condemned the actions of the officers, emphasizing that their behavior contradicts the values and operational standards of the service. The CAC has directed that the officers involved be withdrawn and interrogated to facilitate decisive disciplinary measures . The NCS has assured the public that the outcome of the investigative panel…