Business

15 Oct

Celebrating a Legend: Prince Olayiwola Shittu’s 75 Years of Leadership, Integrity, and Impact

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
Today, we celebrate a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark on Nigeria's maritime industry. Prince Olayiwola Shittu, a pioneering customs broker, visionary entrepreneur, and generous soul, is a name synonymous with excellence, compassion, and visionary leadership. A Legacy of Service and Empowerment Prince Shittu's journey is a testament to his dedication to public service and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Skelas Group, he built a thriving customs brokerage firm that expanded into multiple sectors, earning a reputation for integrity and trust. His commitment to empowering his staff and members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)…
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10 Oct

Customs Area Controller Strengthens Ties with Stakeholders in Onne Sea Port

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Port Harcourt II Area Command, Comptroller Aliyu M Alkali, has embarked on a series of strategic visits to stakeholders in Onne Sea Port, aimed at fostering synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing among government agencies. Key Objectives The visits sought to : Enhance compliance:Strengthen relationships with stakeholders and improve adherence to existing regulations. Promote synergy: Encourage teamwork and collaboration among agencies to achieve common goals. Intelligence sharing: Facilitate the exchange of useful and timely intelligence to enhance operations. Stakeholder Engagement Comptroller Alkali met with key stakeholders, including : Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA: Pledged to synergize…
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09 Oct

Seme Customs Foils Smuggling Attempt, Seizes N2bn Worth of Contraband

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant seizure of 10,000 bags of expired flour, valued at N1.2 billion, in a joint operation with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The command also recorded a 182% increase in revenue generation in September 2025, raking in N1.5 billion. Expired Flour Intercepted The expired flour, produced in March 2024 and expiring in November 2024, was smuggled into the country from Egypt through the Benin Republic. The Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, warned that consuming such expired products could lead to severe…
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07 Oct

Nigeria’s Maritime Future Bright as Group Celebrates First Indigenous Container Vessel

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
In a vibrant display of patriotism and resilience, members of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) braved heavy downpour to celebrate the launch of Nigeria's first privately-owned indigenous container vessel, MV Ocean Dragon, operated by Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited. The roadshow, which wound through Apapa's major roads, was a testament to the sector's optimism about the future. A New Era in Maritime Trade The MV Ocean Dragon, with a capacity of 349 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), is set to revolutionize Nigeria's maritime industry by providing a reliable alternative to road transport, reducing congestion, and increasing…
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07 Oct

NCS Zone A Cracks Down on Smuggling, Seizes N1.2 Billion Worth of Contraband

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
The Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, seizing contraband worth over N1.2 billion in a six-week period. Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the unit's commander, disclosed this during a press briefing on October 7, 2025. Seizures The unit seized: 5,015 bags of foreign rice: (equivalent to 8 trailer loads) 15 used vehicles: 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa:: (approximately 431.8kg) 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit: (about 11,500 litres) Various other contraband: including used clothing, shoes, and pharmaceuticals. Arrests and Prosecution Four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and will be handed…
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07 Oct

Nigeria’s Transport Future Hangs in Balance: Experts to Converge for Crucial Summit

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
Stakeholders in Nigeria's transportation industry are set to converge on October 29, 2025, at the Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, for the maiden summit of JustAlive Communications Limited. The summit, themed "Nigeria's Transport Infrastructure: Innovation For A Sustainable Future," aims to discuss the nation's transport infrastructure challenges and explore innovative solutions. Key Objectives: Holistic Review: Examine the infrastructure aspects of the transport sector, including aviation, maritime, waterways, rail, and road. Knowledge Sharing: Provide a platform for experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to share knowledge, best practices, and standards. Innovative Solutions: Offer solutions to address challenges facing Nigeria's transport infrastructure, including inadequate…
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07 Oct

Maritime Industry Stakeholders Rally Behind Call to Reposition Nigeria’s Blue Economy

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
The New Experience Newspaper marked its 8th anniversary with a call to action to reposition Nigeria’s maritime industry. Prince Benson Davies, Publisher of the newspaper, emphasized the need for innovation, policy reform, and inclusive participation to harness the sector’s potential. Key Takeaways Maritime Sector as a Cornerstone of Economic Transformation:  Davies stressed that the maritime sector is more than a trade route, it’s the heartbeat of the economy. Collaboration is Key: Government, private sector, and media must work together to unlock opportunities and boost competitiveness. Importance of Maritime Education and Private Sector Partnerships: Discussions centered on improving port efficiency, enhancing…
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06 Oct

Nigeria Customs Service Tackles Border Crimes, Boosts Legitimate Trade at Seme Border

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a two-day stakeholders’ summit at the Seme Border to address border-related crimes and improve legitimate trade. Comptroller Wale Adenuga, Controller of Seme Area Command, emphasized the need for collective honesty and cooperation among stakeholders to tackle challenges affecting the border axis. Key Objectives of the Summit Enhance Trade Facilitation*: Promote safer, smarter, and more efficient cross-border trade Improve Security*: Address border-related crimes and irregularities Foster Collaboration*: Encourage inter-agency collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders Stakeholders' Concerns Multiple Checkpoints*: Residents and villagers complain about harassment from unauthorized personnel, particularly "camp boys" recruited by security agencies…
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29 Sep

New Kid on the Block: Lekki Port Welcomes Hauwa Abubakar as Customs Area Controller

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
Lekki Port has welcomed Hauwa Abubakar as its new Customs Area Controller, promising maximum cooperation to drive revenue growth and profitability. The port’s Managing Director, Wang Qiang, praised Abubakar’s appointment, describing her as a "round peg in a round hole" due to her outstanding contributions to the Nigeria Customs Service. A Vote of Confidence Qiang commended Abubakar’s professionalism and assured her of the port’s full support. He also thanked the outgoing controller for his service, wishing Abubakar well in her new role. A Bright Future Ahead Abubakar expressed her commitment to building on her predecessor’s successes and pledged to work…
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26 Sep

Nigeria Customs Service, MAN Partner to Boost Economy, Exempt Manufacturers from 4% FOB Charge

Esther Komolafe0 CommentsBusiness
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have held a productive strategic engagement to strengthen collaboration in support of Nigeria's industrial growth and economic development objectives. The meeting was convened following the Ministry of Finance's directive regarding the temporary suspension of the 4% FOB charge, which provided an opportunity for comprehensive stakeholder consultation. Key Outcomes The meeting resulted in several key outcomes, including: Strategic Exemptions: Approval has been granted for strategic exemptions from the 4% FOB charges on importation of raw materials, spares, and machines by manufacturers who are beneficiaries of concessions contained in Chapters…
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