Esther Komolafe

The Nigeria Customs Service Zone 'A' Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, has a new leader. Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Charles Orbih has taken over as the Zonal Coordinator, effective December 10, 2024 . In his inaugural address, Orbih emphasized his commitment to strengthening the zone's operations through teamwork, innovation, and active stakeholder engagement. He aligned his objectives with the policy thrust of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, focusing on consolidation, collaboration, and innovation . Orbih brings decades of experience to his new role, having served in various capacities, including Customs Area Controller for Imo/Abia Command and Zonal Coordinator…

The Nigerian Customs Service has demonstrated its commitment to giving back to the community through a recent charity visit to Gwandu Emirates primary school in Kebbi State. On December 10, 2024, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, Customs Area Controller of Kebbi Command, donated writing materials and foodstuffs to over 1,700 pupils, emphasizing the importance of understanding the laws of the land and the impact of smuggling on the national economy. A Gesture of Support Malam Aminu Sani, the headmaster, praised the gesture as a form of support to the pupils, highlighting Nigeria Customs' compassionate and responsible nature. The representative of the…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commemorated the 2024 Day of the Dockworker, emphasizing the importance of workplace safety for dockworkers. Dr. Dayo Mobereola, NIMASA's Director General, declared that the safety of dockworkers is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Mobereola, represented by Mr. Jibril Abba, Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, assured stakeholders that NIMASA will create an environment that enables maritime labor to function according to international best practices. The Agency launched the Reviewed Minimum Standard for Dock Labour Industry booklet, which codifies the implementation of approved conditions of service and collective bargaining…

Salisu Shuaibu, a renowned anti-smuggling expert, has taken over as the new Area Controller of the Ogun 1 Customs Command. Shuaibu's rich experience in combating smuggling will undoubtedly strengthen the command's efforts to curb illicit activities in the region. During the handing over ceremony, Shuaibu pledged to uphold the values and mission of the Nigeria Customs Service while striving for operational excellence. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, innovation, and discipline in achieving the command's goals. As a seasoned anti-smuggling officer, Shuaibu is well aware of the unique challenges of border operations in Ogun 1 Command. He has vowed to…

Stakeholders in Nigeria's maritime sector have come out swinging against the country's port reforms, accusing the government and foreign concessionaires of sidelining indigenous operators and undermining local content development. At the recent PortNews Summit 2024 in Lagos, stakeholders lamented the erosion of Nigeria's maritime legacy, citing the decline of Nigerian-owned vessels and bonded terminals. They argued that the reforms, introduced in 2006, have prioritized foreign interests over Nigerian operators, leaving them struggling to compete. Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, a former Minister of Interior, acknowledged that while the reforms brought efficiency and private investments, they were poorly implemented. "The landlord model has…

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…