Esther Komolafe

Lagos, Nigeria | August 2026 The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN, has announced former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, as the keynote speaker for its 2026 Maritime Annual Maritime Lecture, MAMAL. The flagship industry forum will hold on *Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.* at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. MARAN noted this is a change from the earlier announced venue. *Port Modernisation and Competitiveness in Focus* With the theme _“Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question,”_ MAMAL 2026 will convene government…

PTML, Lagos | August 11, 2026 The Port & Terminal Multiservices Limited, PTML, Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has been commended for investing in its workforce after it successfully organised a Leadership Seminar to strengthen capacity, professionalism and teamwork among senior officers. The seminar, held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Conference Hall of PTML Command, aligns with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, to build a more efficient, motivated and service-oriented workforce. *Leadership as Key to Service Delivery* Declaring the seminar open, the Acting Area Controller, DC Nura Ibrahim Miko,…

Apapa, Lagos | August 11, 2026 The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa Area Command, has recorded its highest monthly revenue ever, raking in ₦323 billion in July 2026. The feat marks a new milestone for the nation’s busiest port and builds on the ₦304 billion record the Command set in October 2025 under the leadership of Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba. *Reforms and Policy Drive Record Performance* Speaking during the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers of Terminals and Unit Heads on Tuesday, Comptroller Oshoba attributed the breakthrough to policy support, operational reforms, and improved trader compliance. He commended…

Ikeja, Lagos | August 10, 2026 The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, has dismantled a massive smuggling ring, intercepting 220 consignments worth ₦3.24 billion in Duty Paid Value and recovering ₦728.98 million in lost government revenue. The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Sunday, describing the operation as one of the Unit’s largest intelligence-led busts this year. *Massive Seizures Across Contraband Lines* According to the Unit, the intercepted goods had a total DPV of ₦3,237,132,640. The revenue recovery of ₦728,976,725.03 came from enforcement against under-declaration, false declarations and other customs fraud. Major…

Seme Border, Badagry | August 11, 2026 The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has intercepted contraband worth ₦365,163,709 including expired noodles, cannabis, explosives and smuggled vehicles, as it ramps up enforcement to protect public health and national security. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Seme Command in Badagry, Lagos State. *Public Health Saved: 1,306 Sacks of Decomposing Noodles Seized* Kaila said officers intercepted a truck falsely declared as carrying food items. Upon examination, they found 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles weighing 50kg each. "Many of…

Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Senatorial Candidate for Plateau North, Dr. Jonathan Musa Bature, has declared that the era of neglect and insecurity in the zone must end, vowing to make security, job creation and equity the centerpiece of his representation if elected. In an interview with _New Experience Newspaper_, Bature said the killings, kidnappings and weak leadership plaguing Plateau North compelled him to answer what he described as a "divine call to rescue" the people. *"I Have Witnessed Their Pain"* Bature said his decision to contest was born out of firsthand experience of the suffering in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Riyom…

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded major seizures at the Tin Can Island Port Command, intercepting components used to assemble 140 pump-action rifles and two 40-foot containers of cannabis-infused products valued at ₦373,802,640. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the interceptions during a press briefing, describing the operations as proof of the Service’s commitment to prompt enforcement and border security. According to the CGC, Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by Customs’ risk management system. Following surveillance and physical examination, officers uncovered concealed crates containing JoJeff pump-action rifle parts.…

The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN, has scheduled September 10, 2026, for the 2026 edition of its flagship MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture, MAMAL, with top government officials and industry stakeholders expected to address reforms needed to make Nigeria’s ports globally competitive. The event will hold at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme: *"Nigeria Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question."* *Focus on Efficiency, Charges and Investment* According to MARAN, discussions will center on port infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency, port charges, trade facilitation, and policy reforms required to position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West…

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has commenced pilot deployment of its new Management Information System, MIS, File Tracker at the PTML Area Command as part of efforts to digitize internal administrative processes and improve efficiency. The launch was announced on Monday at PTML, with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, describing the platform as a key step in the Service’s broader modernization agenda. Represented by Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT/Modernization, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, the CGC said the initiative is designed to deepen the use of technology for personnel administration and speed up documentation. *Single Platform for…