Esther Komolafe

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone C Owerri, has recorded another major enforcement win with the seizure of over 3,310 jerrycans and cartons of smuggled foreign vegetable oil, valued at N403,491,000 in Duty Paid Value. In a statement issued on Sunday, Comptroller Bishir Balogun commended the officers for what he described as a job well done through strategic intelligence coordination and swift operational action. The Seizure: Operatives intercepted two trucks carrying the contraband: 1. 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil 2. 10 jerrycans of 10-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil 3. 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower vegetable…

The Nigeria Customs Service has dismantled a major wildlife trafficking syndicate after a joint intelligence-led operation with NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission led to the seizure of 22 elephant tusks worth N126.39 million on the black market. The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, intercepted the tusks weighing 130.84kg at about 4:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026, in Ofada, Mowe area of Ogun State. Four suspects were arrested at different locations across Lagos State, and the vehicle used to transport the contraband was confiscated. Customs said the breakthrough followed months of surveillance and investigation targeting an organized trafficking network operating…

At the   9th edition of National Economic Growth Forum (NEGF) round table organized by Adisa Olamillekan today 11th of June 2016 at Rockview Hotel in Apapa. The conference hall was full when Abdulazeez Mariam stepped up to speak. On behalf of Mickey Excellency Nigeria Limited, he had one lesson to teach the gathering of CEOs, business leaders, and policymakers: if Nigeria wants lasting prosperity, it must learn to grow its own economy from the inside out. Hajia Bola Idayat Muse and Engr. Dr. Michael Sese Atina presided as chairpersons, but the message was for everyone. Mariam opened with a…

The hall buzzed with purpose as business leaders, policymakers, and innovators took their seats for the 9th CEOs National Roundtable Discussion. At the podium stood Adisa Y. Olamilekan, founder and convener of NEGF-Initiatives Concepts, with a simple story to tell: Nigeria’s future will be written by the people who dare to invest in it. “It is both an honor and a privilege to welcome you to this gathering at a time when Nigeria’s economy demands bold thinking, strategic collaboration, and decisive action.” The theme for 2026 was not chosen lightly: _“Sustaining Indigenous Investment and Protecting Private Enterprise Opportunities in National…

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders has set up a Special Technical Assessment Team to inspect all licensed Customs-bonded warehouses and terminals nationwide, following repeated complaints from freight forwarders and shippers over poor service and infrastructure. The inspection will  begin on the 15 June 2026, and it is designed to assess operational standards, service delivery, and compliance across seaports, airports, inland container depots, and other approved logistics facilities in all six geopolitical zones. *What NAGAFF Will Check* The Technical Team’s Terms of Reference require bonded facilities to meet minimum standards in these areas: 1. *Equipment*: Availability and functionality…

Women in Maritime Africa, WIMA Nigeria, traded boardroom talk for beach boots on Saturday as they marked 2026 World Oceans Day with a full-contact cleanup at Tarkwa Bay, proving that saving the ocean sometimes means getting your hands dirty. Ditching the usual ribbon-cutting ceremonies, maritime professionals, WIMA ambassadors, environmental advocates, and even private sector bigwigs showed up with gloves, trash bags, and determination to match this year’s theme: “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us.” WIMA Nigeria President Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze led the charge, reminding volunteers that oceans do the heavy lifting for us daily. “Our oceans are the lifeblood of our…

The newly appointed Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Port, Comptroller Joe Anani, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, at the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, to strengthen inter-agency collaboration. The visit focused on deepening synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain and facilitate legitimate trade within the ports. Comptroller Anani commended the Ports Authority Police, Western Command, for its consistent commitment to maintaining security and public order in the port environment. He stressed that sustained cooperation among security…

The Nigeria Shipowners Association is mobilising stakeholders to make this year’s Nigerian Maritime Expo, NIMAREX, bigger than last year’s relaunch, with plans to attract more foreign investors and showcase Nigeria’s maritime potential. In an interview, NSA President and NIMAREX Chairman Otunba Shola Adewunmi said the biennial exhibition returned in November 2024 after years of dormancy, and preparations for the 2026 edition are already underway. “NIMAREX is an industry event. Although the initiative came from Nigeria Shipowners Association, it contains everything about maritime. It’s an exhibition where we showcase the opportunities we have in Nigeria for people to see and to…

The Ports Authority Police, Western Command, has called for stronger collaboration with maritime journalists to enhance security across Nigeria’s ports and support the growth of the maritime economy. Commissioner of Police CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria at the Command Headquarters in Apapa. The MARAN delegation, led by President Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the visit was aimed at reaffirming commitment to safety, security, and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime domain. Onigbinde commended the Command for safeguarding ports and critical maritime assets, noting that security remains…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has commended the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria for its professionalism and pledged stronger collaboration on media training to drive awareness of Nigeria’s blue economy opportunities. NIMASA made the call on Monday while receiving the newly elected MARAN executives on their first official visit to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos. The delegation was received by Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr. Osagie Edward, and senior officials of the department. The meeting opened with MARAN President conveying the association’s condolences to NIMASA over the death of staff member Ifenyinwa Okonkwo, who passed away over the…