Author: Dodo Elias Denen

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its strong institutional support for Africa’s first-ever comprehensive Defence and Security Exhibition, scheduled to be hosted by Nigeria in 2026, in what is expected to be a landmark event positioning the country as a continental hub for defence innovation, security collaboration, and industrial advancement.

The exhibition, tagged Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), was unveiled during a courtesy visit by the AFRIDECS Steering Committee to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 January 2026.

The delegation was led by the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, who disclosed that the 2026 exhibition would convene military institutions, security agencies, government ministries, defence manufacturers and international partners from across the globe.

Major General Alaya explained that AFRIDECS is designed to showcase Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity and technological innovation across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains, while also providing a global platform for the exchange of cutting-edge security solutions.

“AFRIDECS is conceived to showcase indigenous capabilities and manufacturing, while leveraging the expertise and experience of international defence manufacturers. It will serve as a convergence point for defence, security and technology stakeholders to exchange ideas and innovations,” he stated.

He added that the exhibition is strategically positioned to become Africa’s premier defence and security showcase, reflecting Nigeria’s growing influence in defence industrialisation, regional security cooperation and strategic innovation.

According to him, a multi-agency Steering Committee constituted by Defence Headquarters is overseeing the planning and execution of the event.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adawale Adeniyi, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG), Dera Nnadi reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s readiness to play a critical facilitative and regulatory role in ensuring the success of the exhibition.

DCG Nnadi describes AFRIDECS not only as a security-driven initiative but also as a significant economic, cultural, and diplomatic opportunity for Nigeria.

“This is beyond the security implications. For us in the Nigeria Customs Service, it is an economic opportunity, a cultural gain and a platform to project the best of Nigeria to the international community. Customs will play its role in facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict regulatory compliance,” he said.

He assured the Steering Committee of the Service’s commitment to providing seamless Customs processes, particularly in the temporary importation of exhibition equipment, to guarantee ease of entry and exit without compromising national security standards.

Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Timi Bomodi, in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, commended DICON for initiating what he described as a bold and strategic exhibition with far-reaching implications for national security and economic development.

DCG Bomodi noted that while the Nigeria Customs Service has extensive experience in handling international exhibitions, AFRIDECS is particularly unique due to the sensitive nature of the items involved, which will primarily consist of military hardware and defence equipment.

He explained that Customs would adopt simplified, transparent temporary importation procedures, provided that all regulatory requirements are met. He stressed the importance of advance notification, detailed documentation and the submission of End User Certificates to ensure proper control, accountability and compliance with national and international regulations.

The Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition, the first of its kind on the continent, is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s image as a leader in defence innovation, deepen international cooperation, unlock economic opportunities, and reinforce the country’s national security architecture, with the Nigeria Customs Service positioned as a key enabler of its success.

The Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, has intensified efforts to strengthen inter-service synergy and civil–military collaboration, as the Centre explores expanded partnerships with sister military formations, leading private sector organisations and research institutions to advance resettlement and vocational training for retiring service personnel.

AVM Ilo received a delegation from the Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), led by the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Bobmanuel Kokoete Effiong, in a visit aimed at deepening inter-service cooperation and identifying areas of mutual benefit. Rear Admiral Effiong underscored the strategic importance of doctrine in guiding naval operations and improving effectiveness across the fleet, noting ongoing reforms to strengthen NAVDOC’s mandate.

Responding, the NAFRC Commandant stressed the critical role of standardised doctrine across the Armed Forces and outlined NAFRC’s core responsibility in vocational, entrepreneurial and resettlement training. He assured the delegation of the Centre’s readiness to collaborate with NAVDOC in support of broader Armed Forces objectives.

In a related engagement to consolidate inter-service relations, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha (mni), also paid a courtesy visit to AVM Ilo. The FOC said the visit was in line with the tradition of sustained engagement among sister formations to enhance operational understanding and synergy. He highlighted WNC’s responsibilities in the western maritime corridor and his role as Commander, Joint Task Force Operation AWATSE, expressing interest in practical areas of cooperation with NAFRC.

AVM Ilo welcomed the initiative, reiterating NAFRC’s mandate to prepare disengaging personnel for productive post-service life through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, while pledging continued collaboration with the Navy.

Beyond inter-service engagements, the NAFRC Commandant has also taken his familiarisation and partnership drive to the private sector. During a courtesy visit to Mouka Limited, AVM Ilo commended the company for its sustained support to NAFRC over the years and called for deeper collaboration, particularly in providing employment opportunities for trained and retiring military personnel. Mouka Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Femi Fapohunda, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the partnership and pledged continued support for NAFRC’s resettlement objectives.

In the same vein, AVM Ilo visited Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group to reinforce existing ties and explore new areas of cooperation. The Group Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Savara, and members of the executive management acknowledged TGI’s long-standing relationship with the Armed Forces and expressed readiness to expand collaboration, especially in absorbing skilled retired personnel into the company’s workforce. AVM Ilo, in turn, appreciated the group’s consistent support and urged sustained engagement in support of military disengagement and reintegration efforts.

The partnership drive also extended to the research and innovation ecosystem, as the NAFRC Commandant paid a familiarisation visit to the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO). The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, received the delegation and highlighted the institute’s long-standing relationship with NAFRC, particularly in security cooperation and capacity development. She expressed FIIRO’s willingness to deepen collaboration across its industrial research programmes.

AVM Ilo described the partnership with FIIRO as mutually beneficial, commending the institute’s growth and international footprint, which he attributed to strong leadership and institutional values. He assured the management of NAFRC’s commitment to identifying additional areas of cooperation, noting that FIIRO’s vast research capabilities align with the Centre’s vocational and skills-development objectives.

Collectively, the engagements underscore NAFRC’s renewed push under AVM Ilo to build strong inter-service, private sector and institutional partnerships as a strategic pathway to enhancing resettlement outcomes, promoting self-reliance and ensuring a smooth transition for military personnel into civilian life.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on members of the 38 Regular Course Association of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to remain united and inclusive as they continue to contribute to national development.

According to a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the COAS gave the charge on Thursday, 22 January 2026, while receiving members of the Association’s Executive Committee, led by Rear Admiral Samuel Agada (rtd), during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly elected executives and emphasised the importance of cohesion and inclusiveness in advancing the Association’s objectives. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to strengthen operational effectiveness, deepen professionalism and enhance troop welfare, adding that plans are underway to increase the Army’s strength and establish additional depots to better address security challenges across the country.

The COAS urged members of the 38 Regular Course to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Army, leveraging their experience and influence to collaborate with ministries and other stakeholders in tackling national challenges. He also paid tribute to deceased members of the Association, describing them as officers of exceptional character whose sacrifices and service contributed significantly to national unity and stability.

Earlier, the President of the Association, Rear Admiral Samuel Agada (rtd), expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Nigerian Army and highlighted challenges facing members, particularly in the area of healthcare. He appealed for support in strengthening the Association’s financial base and encouraged serving and retired personnel of the Armed Forces to prepare early for retirement by building strong financial foundations.

The National Leadership of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) today, 22 January, 2026 paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Command.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) Chado Zakari Anipr, the visit was undertaken to officially strengthen institutional ties with the command.

The delegation also used the occasion to formally congratulate the Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, on his recent appointment, describing it as well-deserved and timely.

The statement noted that the engagement provided an opportunity to acknowledge and commend the command’s strategic achievements, particularly in the areas of operational efficiency, stakeholder collaboration, and improved border management.

​During the meeting, the NAOSS Global President, Comrade Olubodun Olalekan, commended the Controller for the significant milestones achieved since assuming office. He specifically highlighted the command’s success in intercepting ​Illicit and dangerous drugs (particularly marijuana), ​Illegal arms and ammunition.

​Comrade Olalekan emphasized that Ogun 1 Command plays a critical role in national security by ensuring that illegal businesses do not thrive within the state. “The command is playing a vital role in safeguarding the nation by protecting our borders,” he stated.

​As a gesture of support, the President pledged that NAOSS would organize a sensitization rally to educate the public especially youths on the dangers of smuggling and drug consumption.

​In his response, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni reflected on the historical significance of the Idiroko border and noted the improved relationship between the Service and the public.

He observed that the frequent clashes previously recorded between officers and host communities have ceased, replaced by a newfound era of peace.

​However, the CAC expressed deep concern over the volume of drugs seized on daily basis by the command, noting that these activities are predominantly perpetrated by youths. He remarked that the trade continues because of a “buyer-seller” cycle that needs to be broken which he pledged to end.

The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a notorious armed robbery syndicate operating along the Papalanto–Ilaro and Owode–Idiroko corridors, arresting eight suspects and recovering a hijacked trailer truck, 900 bags of cement and a locally fabricated firearm in a coordinated, intelligence-led operation.

The breakthrough followed directives by the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, who ordered operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, to intensify intelligence deployment, surveillance and discreet tracking of criminal networks terrorising major supply routes in the state.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the command said sustained intelligence gathering, covert surveillance and crime pattern analysis enabled detectives to identify, penetrate and ultimately dismantle the gang.

The operation led to the arrest of eight suspected members of the syndicate at different locations across the state based on actionable intelligence. Those arrested are Mogaji Sodiq, also known as “Ogbonṣ”, Adebowale Lekan, Ajah Peter, Ganiyu Razaq, Odeleye Ayoola, Egboja Amos, Bello Akeem and Olaifa Sunday.

Investigations revealed that the suspects specialised in violent attacks and the hijacking of trailer trucks conveying goods along key commercial routes. Operatives first tracked and recovered a warehouse where most of the stolen cement had been offloaded, leading to the recovery of 900 bags. Further follow-up operations resulted in the interception of the hijacked trailer truck and the recovery of a locally made single-barrel pistol allegedly used by the gang.

Police investigations have also linked the suspects to previous criminal operations, with emerging intelligence pointing to a coordinated and organised theft ring targeting commercial supply chains. The command said intelligence is being further exploited to track and arrest fleeing members of the syndicate, while efforts continue to uncover accomplices, logistics networks and buyers involved in the illicit operations.

The suspects, according to the police, will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Reaffirming the command’s stance, the Commissioner of Police reiterated Ogun State Police Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and the protection of lives and property across the state. He assured residents and road users that sustained operations against organised crime would continue.

The police also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (toll-free) on 0800 000 9111, and other emergency numbers including 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369 and 0708 497 2994.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the World Bank Group (WBG), on Monday, 19 January 2026, commenced the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade facilitation, enhance compliance, and deepen customs modernisation in Nigeria.

The programme is designed to review previously agreed objectives and confirm the strategic approach for implementing key reform initiatives, particularly in the area of Post-Clearance Audit (PCA). The mission provides a platform for assessing progress made so far, while identifying practical steps for improving efficiency, transparency, and risk-based compliance management across customs operations.

Speaking at the opening session, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeola, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised that Post-Clearance Audit remains a critical pillar of modern customs administration. She noted that an effective PCA framework supports informed risk management, strengthens voluntary compliance and facilitates legitimate trade without compromising revenue assurance.

“This mission underscores the strong partnership between the WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service. It reflects our shared commitment to strengthening PCA frameworks, enhancing officers’ technical competencies and institutionalising best practices that promote voluntary compliance while safeguarding revenue,” she remarked.

Quoting renowned author Brian Herbert, she added; “The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill, but the willingness to learn is a choice. The Nigeria Customs Service has chosen to make PCA work in our country.”

Also addressing participants, James Clark, a Trade Facilitation Expert with the WCO, commended the NCS for the significant progress achieved within a short period. He observed that Nigeria’s trade facilitation reforms reflect a broader national commitment to improving the ease of doing business and aligning customs procedures with global best practices.

“The creation of the PCA Manual was an impressive piece of work. Beyond that, the steps taken to operationalise it and your commitment to building a world-class PCA programme within the NCS have been remarkable,” he said.

“It is not an easy task to achieve what you have done. There is still more work ahead, but the progress recorded so far has been truly commendable.”

In her remarks, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, highlighted the deliberate steps taken by the Service in strengthening Post-Clearance Audit and risk management systems. According to her, these measures are aimed at enhancing compliance, improving revenue collection, facilitating legitimate trade, and safeguarding national economic interests.

Similarly, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, described the week-long programme as timely and strategic. He noted that the engagement comes at a critical stage in the Service’s reform journey and will further strengthen institutional capacity in audit-driven compliance and trade facilitation.

The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which runs from 19 to 23 January 2026, underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s sustained commitment to collaboration with international partners in driving reforms that promote efficient trade, transparency, and economic growth.

As Nigeria’s population expands projected by the United Nations Population Fund to surpass 237 million by 2025 the country’s waste burden continues to rise sharply. The World Bank estimates that Nigeria generates more than 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, placing mounting pressure on already strained municipal systems and underscoring the urgent need for sustainable, scalable waste management solutions.

One of the most far-reaching responses to this challenge has been the adoption of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Introduced in 2014 by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the policy marked a paradigm shift by assigning producers greater responsibility for the lifecycle of their packaging. Out of this framework emerged the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) in 2018 the country’s first Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) dedicated to the food and beverage sector.

From a modest beginning with four founding companies, FBRA has grown into a formidable coalition of 49 member organisations as of November 2025. Together, the Alliance has built a coordinated system for the recovery, recycling and circular management of post-consumer packaging waste. Its impact is measurable: more than 100,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste have been recovered from the environment, reframing waste from an environmental burden into a valuable input for Nigeria’s emerging circular economy.

“FBRA may not be a household name, but its footprint is evident in cleaner communities and the growing empowerment of waste collectors, particularly across Lagos State,” said Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria.

As one of Nigeria’s largest and most trusted food and beverage companies, Nestlé Nigeria has positioned environmental stewardship as a core business priority alongside people and profit. The company was a founding member of FBRA and has remained one of its most consistent champions, leveraging collaboration to drive sector-wide change.

“While we may compete commercially as producers, we come together as collaborators when it comes to our shared environmental responsibilities,” Uwadoka explained.

This spirit of collaboration has underpinned Nestlé Nigeria’s leadership in packaging innovation and waste recovery. In December 2023, the company achieved a major milestone by attaining 100 per cent plastic neutrality recovering and recycling an amount of plastic equivalent to what it introduced into the Nigerian market. The achievement signalled a decisive commitment to accountability across the value chain.

Nestlé further broke new ground by becoming the first company in Nigeria to integrate 50 per cent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) into its Nestlé Pure Life water bottles, in full compliance with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s food-grade packaging requirements. Rather than a one-off intervention, the initiative reflects a sustained push toward circularity one that remains a benchmark for the industry.

Through FBRA’s operating model, Nestlé Nigeria and other producers have helped activate the entire waste value chain, from informal collectors to recyclers and processors. The result is a system where plastics are retrieved from the environment, transformed into new materials and reintegrated into production cycles creating jobs and economic value along the way.

“Manufacturers do not produce plastics to litter the streets,” Uwadoka noted. “Consumers discard them, but FBRA ensures that the waste is recovered, creating livelihoods and value in the process.”

She stressed that circularity remains central to Nestlé’s sustainability strategy. “Every bottle recovered and kept out of the ocean is one less environmental problem. Closing the loop is the goal not just collecting waste, but ensuring it is used, recovered, transformed and reused.”

The partnership between Nestlé Nigeria and FBRA illustrates the power of industry led collaboration in tackling environmental challenges. Through shared responsibility, sustained investment and innovation, both organisations are helping to reshape Nigeria’s waste management landscape while aligning with broader global sustainability goals.

As Nestlé Nigeria continues to lead efforts to close the loop, and FBRA strengthens the link between producers, collectors and recyclers, one message stands out: building a cleaner, more sustainable Nigeria is a collective task and tangible progress is already being made.

In line with its constitutional framework, Nigeria’s leading travel trade professional body, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has officially notified members of the timetable for its zonal elections across the country, as part of preparations for its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The zonal elections serve as a critical pathway to the national elections, which is higher wire for other contestants interested to vie for positions on the National Executive Council. Elected officers at both zonal and national executive Council positions are eligible to serve a maximum of two terms of two years each, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.

This year’s elections are particularly significant as NANTA marks its golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years of existence. The milestone AGM and national elections are slated to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the Chairman of the NANTA Elections Committee and Second National Deputy President, Dr. Dagunduro Olatokunbo, Lagos State will flag off the zonal elections on February 12, 2026. This will be followed by the Eastern Zone, headquartered in Port Harcourt, on February 19; Kano Zone on February 24; and Abuja (Federal Capital Territory) on February 25, 2026.

The Western Zone, which will also host the national elections and AGM, will conclude the zonal process with the validation of its new zonal leadership on February 26, 2026.

Dr. Dagunduro assured members of a transparent, credible, and fair electoral process, urging aspiring candidates at both zonal and national levels to study and strictly adhere to the electoral code of conduct. He noted that in its 50 years of existence, NANTA has matured beyond electoral flaws and remains committed to keeping the association above primordial interests.

Ibadan, Oyo State, will also host NANTA’s golden jubilee celebration, expected to be a landmark event at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan.

President of NANTA, Dr. Yinka Folami, expressed excitement over the forthcoming AGM, promising to unveil new breakthroughs and leadership visions for the association’s future. He called on all members to participate actively and ensure that the best candidates, who genuinely represent their interests, are elected to serve.

Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, has launched an upgraded version of its mobile banking platform, Unifi, as part of ongoing efforts to improve customer experience on the Bank’s digital Banking platform and reinforce its proposition in ebusiness.

The latest update, Unifi version 2.3, introduces a suite of improved features designed to enhance usability, security, and convenience for customers. Key upgrades include enhanced security protocols, expanded quick-action functionalities, improved bill payment options, and an updated Nigeria Quick Response (NQR) feature to support faster and more secure QR code transactions.

A key aspect of the rollout builds on the Bank’s continued investment in digital and security infrastructure, aimed at safeguarding customer data, ensuring secure payments and enabling safe, real-time transactions across channels.

Speaking on the upgrade, Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head, Retail, SME, Digital Banking & Fintech Partnerships at Unity Bank, said the improvements are built on the back of continuous interrogation of the platform to be more responsive to customer feedbacks which are being received overtime in our interactions and engagements.

“Digital banking has become an integral part of everyday life, particularly for retail customers who expect speed, dependability, convenience, and security as standard. With the latest upgrade to Unifi, we are responding directly to these expectations by enhancing functionality, strengthening security, and simplifying key payment and transaction journeys. Our goal is to ensure that customers can carry out their banking activities seamlessly, confidently, and without friction, anytime and anywhere.”

She added that the Bank remains committed to continuous improvement of its digital channels in line with evolving customer needs and emerging industry trends.

“As mobile banking increasingly defines how people interact with financial services, Unifi is central to our strategy of delivering intuitive, reliable, and inclusive digital solutions. We will continue to invest in technology partnerships and platform enhancements that support financial inclusion, drive adoption, and improve overall customer experience.”

Originally introduced as part of Unity Bank’s strategic push to expand its retail footprint, particularly among young and digitally savvy customers, Unifi has grown into a core engine of the Bank’s retail banking expansion. The platform plays a critical role in driving customer acquisition, deepening engagement, and reinforcing Unity Bank’s broader digital transformation agenda.

The Unifi mobile app is available for download on Android and iOS devices, offering customers access to a wide range of services, including transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, and QR-enabled transactions.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, fsi, mspsp, has declared discipline, professionalism and intelligence-led policing as non-negotiable pillars of her administration, warning that any conduct that undermines the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force will attract firm sanctions.

AIG Okunade made this clear at her Maiden Lecture Parade for officers, men and women of the Maritime Police Command, held at the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos. The parade marked her first formal engagement with personnel since assuming duty as the 24th Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Maritime Command.

Speaking before officers drawn from various sections, units and departments, the AIG expressed deep appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for the confidence reposed in her, pledging unwavering loyalty to his vision and strategic direction for the Force.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adesayo, anipr., the lecture parade provided a platform for direct interaction and strategic reorientation of personnel operating within Nigeria’s complex maritime environment. The AIG commended officers and men for their resilience and commitment to duty, noting the unique operational challenges associated with maritime policing.

She stressed that discipline remains the bedrock of effective policing, insisting that obedience to lawful orders, respect for the chain of command and exemplary conduct, both in and out of uniform, are essential to sustaining public trust. Any form of indiscipline, she warned, not only erodes confidence but also damages the image of the Nigeria Police Force.

AIG Okunade further charged personnel to embrace professionalism and intelligence-led operations, urging them to discharge their duties with integrity, fairness, restraint and sound judgment. She reminded officers that the police uniform symbolises authority and public trust, and must therefore be upheld with honour at all times.

She noted that the IGP’s vision for the Maritime Police Command is anchored on operational excellence, proactive intelligence gathering, robust inter-agency collaboration and the attainment of a low-crime maritime domain that supports national economic growth.

On inclusiveness and teamwork, the AIG emphasised that all personnel must see themselves as one united force working towards the common goal of securing Nigeria’s waterways and maritime assets. She added that effective collaboration with sister security agencies and key maritime stakeholders is critical to creating a safe and enabling environment for commerce.

The lecture parade ended with a call for renewed dedication, professionalism and loyalty to the Nigeria Police Force. AIG Okunade assured personnel of purposeful leadership, merit-based support and a command climate that rewards diligence and integrity.

In his response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), DCP Chuks Obasi, psc, assured the AIG of the total commitment, cooperation and readiness of officers and men of the Maritime Police Command to align with her leadership vision and the reform blueprint of the Inspector-General of Police.

The Maritime Police Command reaffirmed its resolve to uphold the highest standards of discipline and service delivery in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, while calling on stakeholders to engage constructively with the Police to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness.