Category: Economy

Akutah: Single Window to End Port Opacity 

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 Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D, the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has expressed firm confidence that the National Single Window (NSW) will be a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime sector. Once operational, the platform is expected to fundamentally transform port transparency and streamline trade processes by eliminating fragmented manual systems He affirmed that the initiative will resolve longstanding operational bottlenecks caused by the fragmented activities of agencies currently operating in silos. He emphasized that the NSW will drive synergy and coordinated collaboration by consolidating…

NSC Board Pledges Support for Management to Meet Nigeria’s 7% Growth Goal.

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To drive national prosperity through the Port Economic Regulatory system within the Marine and Blue Economy, the NSC Governing Board is backing management to lead the charge in achieving the Federal Government’s ambitious 7% annual economic growth target by 2028. According to a statement from the Council’s Head of Public Relations, Rebecca Adamu, the NSC Governing Board is ready to deliver on its mandate. At their first meeting in Lagos, Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, CON, emphasized that the board would spearhead efforts to help Nigeria hit its $1 trillion…

Shippers’ Council Pledges Support for Intermodal Rail and Baro Port Projects

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The Abuja Shippers’ Association held an inaugural meeting with the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D, at the Council’s Abuja Liaison Office on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 However, during the session, the association President, Mr. John Ugwu, highlighted the severe financial losses shippers face due to over-reliance on seaports and the subsequent transport of goods over dilapidated road networks. To mitigate these challenges, Mr. Ugwu advocated for a robust national rail network and the urgent Operationalization of the Baro Inland Port. He also raised concerns regarding the high interest…

Stabilisation Is Not Enough: Okonjo-Iweala Pushes FG for Job Growth

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), stated on Wednesday, January 22, that Nigeria must pivot its economic strategy from stabilization toward job creation and the aggressive pursuit of global investments. She shared these insights during a fireside chat at Nigeria House on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. As you said, some good reforms are being pursued right now. I think they need to yield into job creation,” she said. “This is what I also said to His Excellency, Mr President, that…

CVFF Portal Goes Live: Oyetola Opens Applications Amid Strict Eligibility Warning

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On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Nigeria marked a historic milestone as Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, launched the CVFF application portal. This strategic move finally unlocks structured financing for indigenous shipowners, bringing a decade-long maritime dream to life. Although Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), clarified that the new portal is not an automatic approval of funds, but rather the beginning of a rigorous engagement process. Despite this cautionary note, industry leaders—including Mike Igbokwe, SAN (Nigerian Maritime Law Association), Aminu Umar (Nigerian Chamber…

Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda: Oyetola Seats NSC Board to Strengthen Maritime Oversight

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Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON has signaled a new era for Nigeria’s maritime sector with the formal inauguration of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Governing Board. Speaking in Abuja on Monday, January 19, 2026, Oyetola mandated the board to drive transparency and efficiency as a core part of the nation’s port reforms. “Renewed Hope Agenda” continues to be the central policy framework for the Tinubu administration, often cited in relation to institutional reforms and governance milestones. Using precise language like “strengthening institutional governance” aligns well with…

Frustration Mounts as 60 CBN Recruits Await Posting for Almost Three Years

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By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar A group of 60 newly recruited staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have raised alarm over prolonged delays in their posting and onboarding since receiving offer letters on August 28, 2023. Speaking on behalf of the affected staff in Bauchi, Emmanuel Linus Dabo said the recruits were issued provisional appointment letters and instructed to resign from their previous jobs as part of the documentation process, which they promptly did. He explained that the recruitment process, which began in April 2023, included interviews, aptitude tests,…

From Underwater to Air: How the FG’s ₦40bn CCTV Centre Will Guard Lagos’ Longest Bridge

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In a landmark move for urban security, the Federal Government has officially commissioned a ₦40.17 billion state-of-the-art CCTV Control Centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. Inaugurated by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the solar-powered facility provides 24/7 real-time surveillance of both the bridge surface and surrounding underwater areas to curb traffic violations, speeding, and security threats Speaking during the Sunday inauguration, Minister of Works David Umahi highlighted that the ₦40.17 billion surveillance hub is the culmination of extensive structural and pavement rehabilitations initiated in…

Containers fall from ships during Storm Goretti.

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As of January 9, 2026, the BBC and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have confirmed that exactly 24 containers were lost overboard due to Storm Goretti. ” Several containers have fallen from two cargo ships off the Isle of Wight amid strong winds sweeping in from Storm Goretti. The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) said 17 containers were reported lost into the sea from a vessel near the Nab Tower, east of Bembridge, at about 23:10 GMT. About 45 minutes later, seven empty containers were reported overboard from a…

National Single Window: FG Enforces Mandatory Digital Filing for Sea and Air Manifests

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In a major drive to modernize Nigeria’s trade infrastructure, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has mandated that all shipping lines and airlines transition exclusively to the National Single Window (NSW) platform for cargo manifest submissions. Formally issued on November 17, 2025 (Ref: FMF/OHMF/CW/NSW/01), this directive is set to eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate clearance efficiency across the nation’s sea and airports. Edun stated that the order follows the inauguration of the National Single Window Project by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 16, 2024. The…