Category: Maritime

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…

Tragedy in Kebbi: 14 Dead as Wedding Guest Boat Capsizes

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The tragic incident occurred in Gumbi village, Gumbi Ward of Yauri LGA, when a boat carrying wedding guests capsized. The victims had just accompanied a bride to her husband’s home in Gwarzo village, Ngaski LGA, and were returning home when the disaster struck, plunging over 100 passengers into the water. Sadly, 14 people—13 women and one child—lost their lives. Governor Nasir Idris, who attended the funeral prayers, extended his condolences to the bereaved families, the local government, the emirate, and the people of Yauri. He called on all to accept…

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…

Genitals & Shoe Soles: NDLEA Nabs Brazil Returnee with Cocaine as Massive Raids Yield 10,000kg of Drugs Across Nigeria

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In a move proving that “wonders shall never end,” operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Uche Franklin Onyekwere, a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, at the Lagos airport. He was apprehended at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for concealing parcels of cocaine within his genitals and the soles of his footwear. In a statement released Sunday, February 1, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of 47-year-old Uche Franklin Onyekwere during a nationwide drug sweep. Acting on targeted intelligence,…

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…

Huge Drug Haul: 347.5kg of Canadian Loud Seized at Apapa Port

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have struck again at Apapa Port, Lagos. In a coordinated operation, the joint security forces seized 347.5kg of ‘Canadian Loud’—a potent variety of cannabis—stashed inside 13 bags within an imported Toyota Sienna. This latest drug bust highlights the intensifying crackdown on narcotics smuggling at Nigeria’s busiest gateway. The seizure, according to a statement released in Lagos on Tuesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Isah Sulaiman, occurred barely 24 hours after the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, received a World…

NDLEA Intercepts ₦3bn Heroin in Coffee, Seizes Explosives, Arrests Village Head, Brazilian Lady, Others in Nationwide Crackdown

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In a sustained offensive against drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted ₦3bn worth of heroin concealed in coffee packs at the Abuja airport and seized a major shipment of explosives bound for Kano and Kaduna. In a nationwide clampdown that spanned Borno, Lagos, and several other states, the Agency recovered tons of illicit substances and arrested key suspects, including a Brazilian lady, an Edo village head, and a 72-year-old grandfather. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed a massive breakthroug in a…

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…

Justice Served: Wanted Kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ Arrested 12 Years After Murder of 3 NDLEA Officers; Agency Recovers Illicit Drugs and Nabs Syndicate Across Nigeria

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Justice has finally caught up with Lekan Jimoh, alias “Kanmo-kanmo,” proving that the evil mortals do indeed lives after them. NDLEA operatives successfully apprehended the long-wanted kingpin, ending a decade-long manhunt for the 2014 murder of three gallant officers. After 12 years on the run, Jimoh was arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, in a clinical operation. A statement released on Sunday January 18 by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development:“Kanmo-Kanmo, notorious for evading arrest and mobilizing armed thugs against security agents, was tracked…