Author: Dodo Elias Denen

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Sugra T. Mahmood, declared open the 6th Peer Review Conference of Chairpersons and Secretaries of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) of Agencies under the Ministry, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mrs. Comfort Madichi, she described the Lagos conference as a strategic platform for institutional self-assessment, knowledge exchange, and collaborative action to strengthen the fight against corruption across the sector.

In his welcome address, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile expressed the Agency’s pleasure at hosting the 6th edition of the ACTU Peer Review Conference.

He highlighted the theme, “Advancing Ethical Reforms: Institutionalizing Integrity and Sustained Ethical Governance,” noting that it underscores the critical role of ACTUs in driving organizational reforms and preventive anti-corruption strategies. According to him, ethical governance must be deliberate and institutionalized through strengthened internal systems, reinforced accountability mechanisms, and the effective deployment of technology to eliminate leakages and enhance service delivery.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Lagos State, Mr. Alexander Chukwurah commended agencies under the Ministry for embracing the peer review framework.

The Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a major enforcement breakthrough with the interception of four live pangolins during a high-risk patrol operation along the Yemoamota–Igboora corridor of Ogun State.

The seizure, executed in the early hours of Thursday, underscores the Service’s renewed resolve to protect endangered species and uphold Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, the operation was triggered by actionable intelligence received by officers on night patrol.

At about 3:00 a.m. on February 12, 2026, operatives intercepted a motorcycle moving suspiciously through the Yemoamota–Abule–Igboora and Ebute-Igboora axis, a route notorious for illicit cross-border activity.

A search of the motorcycle revealed four live pangolins tightly confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed inside a sack, a method that officials say points to a well-organised and experienced smuggling network.

Sensing imminent arrest, the suspects reportedly abandoned both the motorcycle and the animals, disappearing into the surrounding terrain under the cover of darkness.

Customs officers immediately secured the endangered animals and initiated protocols to ensure their safety and survival, reflecting a growing emphasis on humane enforcement practices.

On Friday, February 13, 2026, the rescued pangolins were formally handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for expert care and rehabilitation.

The handover was carried out by Assistant Comptroller Tajjudeen Bello, Acting Deputy Controller (Administration), on behalf of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Oladapo Afeni.

Commending the officers involved, Afeni said the operation demonstrated courage, professionalism and intelligence-driven policing, warning traffickers that the Command remains battle-ready to dismantle all networks involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sustained collaboration with conservation bodies and security agencies, stressing that Ogun I Command would continue to tighten the noose on smugglers who seek to profit from the destruction of Nigeria’s natural heritage.

The National Inland Waterways Authority has emerged as Maritime Agency of the Year 2025, following a dramatic 70 per cent reduction in boat mishaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The honour, which underscores a year of intensified safety reforms and enforcement, places the Authority at the forefront of maritime risk reduction and passenger protection nationwide.

Details of the recognition were contained in a press statement issued by Suleiman Makama, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, of the Authority.

The award was conferred at the 2025 Award and Dinner Night organised by New Telegraph, held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Authority, the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, dedicated the honour to NIWA’s workforce and its immediate past Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, FCIB.

Girei described the recognition as a validation of the Authority’s institutional resolve to prioritise safety, professionalism and accountability on Nigeria’s waterways.

He noted that the award would further energise staff to deepen reforms and sustain the momentum recorded in 2025.
Central to NIWA’s achievement, he said, was the implementation of the Inland Waterways Transportation Code, complemented by stricter compliance measures across operational corridors.

The deployment of trained water marshals to enforce safety regulations, monitor operators and curb risky practices was also highlighted as a game-changer.

Industry watchers say the 70 per cent drop in mishaps reflects a coordinated strategy that blends regulation, enforcement and stakeholder engagement.

With the accolade, NIWA is expected to consolidate gains and push for even higher safety benchmarks on the nation’s inland waterways.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday paraded a suspected drug cartel following the interception of a large consignment of cocaine valued at about ₦1 billion along the Badagry–Seme axis of Lagos State, marking one of the Service’s most significant enforcement breakthroughs this year.

Briefing journalists at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Timi Bomodi, alongside other senior Customs officers and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Bomodi disclosed that the seizure was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at about 3:00 a.m., when vigilant operatives of the Seme Area Command intercepted a Toyota Highlander conveying 22 packages of substances suspected to be cocaine.

He said the illicit drugs, weighing 25 kilograms, were concealed in the vehicle and would have fetched an estimated ₦1 billion on the streets, noting that one suspect, 45-year-old Adedenira Aliyu, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

According to Customs, the successful interception was intelligence-driven and executed swiftly under the leadership of the Comptroller of Seme Area Command, Wale Adenuga, a development the Service described as a testament to the professionalism and alertness of its officers.

Bomodi explained that the operation was firmly anchored on the provisions of Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empowers the Service to enforce prohibitions and restrictions aimed at protecting public health and national security from threats such as narcotics trafficking.

In line with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and the existing Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies, the suspected cocaine, the vehicle used for conveyance and the arrested suspect were formally handed over to the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command in Ikoyi.

He noted that the seamless handover underscored the growing synergy between Customs and NDLEA, stressing that intelligence sharing and coordinated operations remained critical to dismantling cross-border drug trafficking networks.

Addressing concerns about officer safety, DCG Timi Bomodi assured Nigerians that the NCS had stepped up measures to protect its personnel, including the provision of protective vests, arms and operational vehicles, while also investing in schools and hospitals in border communities, with the NCS hospital in Seme serving over 80 communities, including residents from neighbouring Benin Republic.

Speaking at the handover, the Commander of the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, ACG Abubakar Liman Wali commended the NCS for the seizure, assuring that the suspect and exhibits would undergo thorough investigation and forensic analysis, as both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the nation from the devastating effects of illicit drug trafficking.

The Nigeria Customs Service has announced plans to commence paperless operations by the end of the second quarter of 2026, signalling a decisive shift toward technology-driven border management.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in Lagos on Friday at the launch of the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) initiative, a platform designed to streamline cargo clearance and eliminate long-standing procedural bottlenecks.

The OSS introduces a unified operational framework that collapses valuation, processing, intelligence, enforcement, compliance monitoring and gate operations into a single, coordinated workflow, replacing fragmented checks with an integrated clearance system.

Represented at the event by the Deputy Controller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Timi Bomodi, Adeniyi said the platform would significantly reduce physical interfaces, enhance data integrity, accelerate processing timelines and strengthen audit controls.

He explained that the first phase of the paperless transition, covering core clearance, documentation and approval processes, would be rolled out by Q2, marking a critical milestone in the service’s broader digital transformation agenda.

According to Adeniyi, the OSS also signals a reset in the relationship between Customs and the trading community, anchored on trust, transparency and predictable processes that support investment and competitiveness.

He noted that years of overlapping checks, fragmented procedures and uncoordinated interventions had increased the cost of doing business, with national assessments and time-release studies showing consignments often stuck in idle waiting despite brief physical inspections.

These challenges, he said, exposed deep structural gaps that could no longer be addressed through piecemeal reforms, underscoring the need for a coordinated, technology-enabled solution embedded within institutional processes.

Adeniyi added that the initiative aligns with Executive Order 001 and the Business Facilitation Act, promoting inter-agency collaboration, harmonised inspections and seamless information sharing under the “One Government” directive.

Stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and licensed customs agents, welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that the OSS would reduce costs, limit human intervention and improve efficiency at Nigeria’s ports and borders.

A new narrative for Nigeria’s border communities took centre stage on Thursday in Idiroko, Ogun State, as the 5th edition of the Festival of Art for Economic Development (FAED) opened with a strong call to reimagine borders as engines of growth rather than flashpoints of risk.

Declaring the International Colloquium open, the Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, DC Oladapo Afeni, described the festival as a strategic platform that reflects the Nigeria Customs Service’s evolving understanding of border management one that blends enforcement with cooperation, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

Afeni noted that sustainable border security cannot be achieved by surveillance alone, stressing that inclusive economic opportunities and cross-border collaboration remain critical to reducing illicit activities and strengthening lawful trade in border communities. Anchored on the theme, “Rebranding Borderline Communities through Creative Empowerment and Entrepreneurship,” the colloquium, he said, aligns with Customs’ commitment to value addition, small-scale enterprise development and regional integration as pillars of stability.

The Customs chief also commended the Nigeria–Benin Inter-Border Forum, led by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bonny Abisogun Botoku, for advancing preventive diplomacy, structured dialogue and operational cooperation between both countries.

Speaking earlier at the grand finale of the festival, Dr. Botoku, Executive Producer of FAED, declared that the initiative was more than a cultural event, describing it as a movement aimed at unlocking the untapped potential of border communities long defined by narratives of insecurity and marginalisation.

He challenged the dominant perception of borders as danger zones, arguing instead that they are meeting points of culture, gateways of trade and spaces of shared history, adding that the Nigeria–Benin border represents a shared civilisation rather than a dividing line.

Botoku emphasised culture as an economic force, not mere entertainment, explaining that FAED deliberately places art, music, fashion, crafts, food systems and storytelling at the centre of development, peacebuilding and people-to-people diplomacy.

Beyond dialogue, he said, the festival delivers practical impact through its Borderline Creative Empowerment Programme, equipping women and youths with marketable skills in catering, textile production, cassava processing, event management and creative entrepreneurship.

As the festival marks its fifth edition, stakeholders agreed that rebranding border communities demands policy support, sustained partnerships and investment in the creative economy, insisting that when borders are empowered to create and trade, they cease to be barriers and become bridges of opportunity.

The Federal Government on Tuesday celebrated a rare blend of transparency and performance in the maritime sector as Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamji (AMBO) was honoured as Most Media Friendly Maritime CEO at an award ceremony held in Abuja.

Delivering an address on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr Bolaji Akinola, described the award as a timely recognition of leadership anchored on accountability, reform and constructive engagement with the media.

The Minister commended the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria for spotlighting professionalism and openness in a sector central to national economic growth, noting that specialised maritime reporting remains critical to governance, safety and public trust.

He said AMBO’s tenure as Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) marked a defining era of institutional renewal, driven by vision, administrative rigour and policy clarity that repositioned the Authority within Nigeria’s blue economy framework.

Under Oyebamji’s leadership, NIWA recorded notable growth in internally generated revenue, aided by operational reforms, stronger regulation and improved collaboration with stakeholders, thereby enhancing service delivery across inland waterways.

A major highlight of his stewardship was the introduction of Nigeria’s first Inland Waterways Safety Code in 35 years, a landmark policy that set clear standards, improved compliance and significantly strengthened navigation safety nationwide.

Beyond policy, enforcement mechanisms were tightened, monitoring enhanced and partnerships with security agencies deepened, steps that helped restore order, professionalism and confidence in inland water transportation.

The Minister also recalled Oyebamji’s role as Chairman of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps, where coordinated national interventions, stakeholder sensitisation and evidence-based strategies helped curb recurring waterway accidents.

According to the address, AMBO distinguished himself not just as a parastatal head but as a strategic partner of the Ministry, aligning NIWA’s operations with national efforts to unlock the economic potential of inland waterways.

As the APC governorship candidate for Osun State ahead of the August 8, 2026 election, the Minister expressed confidence that Oyebamji’s track record of reforms, prudence and inclusive leadership positions him for higher responsibility.

He concluded that leadership is measured by impact, not rhetoric, congratulating AMBO on the honour and urging others in the maritime sector to embrace transparency, professionalism and service-driven governance.

Unity Bank Plc has announced winners in the 27th edition of its flagship Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, also known as Corpreneurship Challenge, following the conclusion of Business Pitch at the Batch C, Stream 2 edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme held across 10 states of the federation.

Notably, Corps Members who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), The Polytechnic, Ibadan, amongst several tertiary institutions, emerged from the latest round of the Corpreneurship Challenge business pitch. Participants pitched business ideas across diverse sectors such as fashion, agribusiness, footwear production, and services.

At the Lagos State NYSC Orientation Camp, Awolumate Fawaz Babatunde, a Civil Engineering graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, emerged the overall winner after pitching a fashion design business, clinching the N800,000 grand prize. Ugwoke Daniel Ifechukwu, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, emerged first runner-up to receive N500,000.

In Rivers State, Abdur-Razaq Sayfullah Adebola, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, topped the competition at the Nonwa Gbam Tai NYSC Orientation Camp with a footwear-making business plan. Meanwhile, Olatunde Esther Funmilayo of Olabisi Onabanjo University emerged as the winner at the Kwara State NYSC Orientation Camp after impressing judges with her deodorant production and services pitch.

More winners emerged from Abuja, Niger, Adamawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Kaduna, and Delta States, further expanding the geographical reach and impact of the initiative.

Speaking on the latest edition of the programme, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head, Retail, SME & E-Business at Unity Bank Plc, said the Corpreneurship Challenge continues to reflect the Bank’s commitment to youth empowerment and enterprise development.

“The Corpreneurship Challenge has been driven by our commitment to boosting entrepreneurship among young people, especially fresh graduates. At Unity Bank, we recognise that many young Nigerians possess viable business ideas but lack the initial capital and support to bring them to life. The Corpreneurship Challenge was designed to bridge that gap by providing financial backing, mentorship, and confidence to fresh graduates at a critical stage of their lives,” she said.

She added that the quality of ideas presented by corps members across states underscores the growing entrepreneurial appetite among Nigerian youths.

“What we see every edition is innovation, resilience, and a strong desire among young graduates to create value and jobs. By supporting them early, we are not only helping individuals, but also contributing to the growth of the SME ecosystem and the broader economy,” Abimbola noted.

Over the years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become a key feature of the NYSC orientation programme, delivered in partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative. Since its inception, the programme has produced 638 young entrepreneurs nationwide, offering grants of up to N300 million to help corps members kick-start or scale their businesses.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among graduates, particularly amid the shrinking availability of white-collar jobs.

Unity Bank said it remains committed to expanding the reach of the Corpreneurship Challenge and deepening its support for young entrepreneurs as part of its broader strategy to drive financial inclusion, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives and wellbeing of indigent persons with the donation of relief items to inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos.

The project, executed under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative known as Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), saw the bank’s Human Resources (HR) department hand over various household tools and gift items to the leadership of the correctional facility as part of its efforts to support the rehabilitation and development of indigent persons in society.

Through the FHHP, staff across Fidelity Bank branches nationwide identify crucial interventions needed in their immediate community and raise funds to execute them. The bank’s management then matches this contribution with an equal amount and disburses it for the selected project.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Chief Human Resources Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Charles Nwachukwu, reaffirmed the bank’s deep commitment to transforming lives and restoring hope. He emphasized that true progress lies not only in financial growth but in extending compassion and opportunity to those that society often overlooks.

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that every individual deserves a second chance. Our approach to Corporate Social Responsibility is rooted in empathy, standing with communities, uplifting the vulnerable, and opening doors for brighter futures. By supporting inmates today, we are setting them on the true path of rehabilitation, empowering them to return tomorrow as productive and confident members of society.”

Reacting to the gesture from Fidelity Bank, Deputy Controller of Corrections at Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Dr Julius Ogueri appealed to Nigerians to avoid cybercrimes and stigmatization of ex-inmates.

Highlighting the challenges faced by correctional facilities in Nigeria, Ogueri noted that Ikoyi correctional center initially designed for 800 inmates, now houses over 3,000 inmates, with 396 convicted persons and 3,604 awaiting trial.

Whilst thanking the bank, the Deputy Controller also emphasized the importance of rehabilitation, citing examples of inmates who have pursued education and skills acquisition, including 72 inmates studying with the National Open University of Nigeria and 120 inmates who have benefited from WAEC and GCE support.

Fidelity Bank’s visit to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre reinforces its unwavering commitment to meaningful community impact and demonstrates its strong dedication to advancing social responsibility and rehabilitation efforts across the society.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.