Category: Maritime Sector

As the rainy season peaks with rising water levels and increased pollution, the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has moved to sensitize waterfront communities in the Federal Capital Territory on safety and environmental protection.

The NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office on Wednesday staged a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection campaign at Abaji Area Council.

The exercise re-emphasized safe navigation practices and environmental stewardship for residents living on and around the waterways. It is in direct alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the provisions of federal law which enshrine *zero tolerance for waterways transportation accidents and infractions*.

Speaking at the event, the Area Manager, *Hajai. Aisha Eri*, thanked the host communities for their cooperation. She assured them of NIWA’s sustained commitment to protecting the nation’s inland waters and the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on them.

The Emir of kwali *HRH Alhaji Adamu Saba Aguma*, also commended NIWA for the intervention. He pledged his community’s full support to safeguard the waterways and ensure strict adherence to all safety regulations.

Other district heads, John Dogole, district head of kundu, Sarkin
Tungbufu, Mohammed Yusuf, Ayahaya Nassarawa, the sarkin Nassarawa, Musa wabai, Sarkin kutara, Musa Alanana, the Sarkin kwago and Padama and Abdullahi kwakwa , the Sarkin kwakwa , all expressed their appreciation for the enlightenment campaign and gave assurances of full compliance with the safety measures taught.

The sensitization is part of a nationwide mandate from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, *His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola*, to ensure dedicated and regular engagement with littoral communities. The Acting Managing Director of NIWA, *Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei*, has directed all Area Offices to accord the directive top priority.

The Abuja Area Office team is expected to extend the campaign to other littoral communities within and around the FCT next week.

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to eradicating counterfeit goods, unwholesome drugs, and border security threats through strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday by Chado Zakari, Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, this resolve was highlighted during two separate high-profile strategic visits to the Command Headquarters in Idiroko by leadership from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the 35 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army.

Dr. Martin Iluyomade (fsi), Director of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products at NAFDAC, paid a courtesy call on the Ag. Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Oludayo Afeni, to establish robust, intelligence-driven operations aimed at intercepting substandard and expired goods before reaching Nigerian markets.

Dr. Iluyomade commended the Command’s anti-smuggling track record and advocated for real-time information sharing and streamlined enforcement to protect public health and local industries.
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DC Oladapo Afeni emphasized that dismantling organized smuggling syndicates requires inter-agency coordination, noting that our resolve to secure the nation’s borders against illicit trade is unwavering. Strengthening our partnership with the Federal Task Force will enhance our operational efficiency and ensure importers of fake and substandard items find no safe haven within our jurisdiction.

​Both agencies urged importers, clearing agents, and border communities to prioritize compliant trade and report suspicious activities to security authorities.

​In a parallel engagement to bolster tactical border security, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Brigadier, General Friday Oguche Onu, paid an official visit to DC Afeni to enhance security architecture across Ogun State’s border corridors.
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Brigadier General Onu pledged continuous operational backstopping and intelligence sharing from the Nigeria Customs service, Ogun I Command in particular to counter trans-border crime, smuggling, and regional threats. Security along our border communities requires a seamless, unified front. The 35 Artillery Brigade remains fully committed to fostering joint operations to safeguard national security and economic stability, General Onu stated.

The Ag. Customs Area Controller Ogun I Command DC Afeni appreciated the military’s steadfast support, reaffirming that joint tactics remain vital to suppressing illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade.

​Solidifying Partnership,
​the high-level visits featured formal presentations of commemorative plaques, the signing of the official visitors’ register, and joint group photographs with senior officers of the respective formations.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has once again strengthened its commitment to coordinated border management, trade facilitation and regional economic integration following a high-level benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The mission, which brought together the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, alongside Mr Fongod Nuvaga, Director General of Cameroon Customs,
Mr Raouf Aboudou, Director-General of
Benin Customs, Mrs Lonto Ndlovu Acting
Commissioner Customs and Excise in the
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), as well as Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited was organised with the support of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as part of ongoing efforts to deepen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking during the session and adoption of the Joint Communiqué on Monday, 27 July 2026, CGC Adeniyi described the mission as a strategic opportunity for African customs administrations to move beyond discussions on border reform and embrace practical implementation of modern border management systems. He noted that the lessons from Beitbridge and Chirundu Border Posts, both in Zimbabwe, reinforced the importance of coordinated institutional frameworks, digital integration and collaborative leadership in transforming Africa’s trade corridors.

“Beitbridge has demonstrated that border modernisation is not merely about infrastructure development. The most important lesson for us is that sustainable reform depends on coordinated institutions, clear accountability, digital interoperability and professional human capital. We are leaving here with a renewed commitment to translate these lessons into practical solutions that will strengthen trade facilitation, security and economic growth across our region,” Adeniyi said.

The five-day mission featured technical sessions, facility tour and executive briefing by various border agencies in Zimbabwe. The benchmarking technical team comprising the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cameroon Customs Administration, Benin Customs Administration, Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited and Bsmart Technologies briefed the Customs Chiefs on the Beitbridge Modernisation and Concession Model, including its financing structure, operational framework, revenue management systems and coordinated border governance architecture.

Participants also undertook extensive tours of the freight terminal, cargo processing facilities, scanning operations, traffic segmentation systems and integrated ICT infrastructure designed to support seamless border operations. The engagements provided participants with firsthand insights into how technology, institutional coordination and performance management have transformed one of Africa’s busiest border crossings into a model for efficient trade facilitation.

According to the Joint Communiqué signed by the participating customs administrations, the mission was conceived within the broader continental effort to facilitate trade across West Africa and between West and Central Africa. The document identified the Sèmè-Kraké corridor linking Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as the Mfum-Ekok corridor connecting Nigeria and Cameroon, as strategic routes that stand to benefit significantly from the implementation of coordinated border management and One-Stop Border Post arrangements.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Director-General of the Cameroon Customs Administration, Fongod Nuvaga, emphasised the importance of collective action in improving trade corridors across the continent. He observed that customs administrations must work together to remove procedural bottlenecks that hinder legitimate trade while maintaining effective border controls. According to him, stronger regional cooperation will enable African countries to fully harness the opportunities created by the AfCFTA and accelerate economic integration across the continent.

Similarly, Director-General of the Benin Customs Administration, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, noted that the lessons from Beitbridge offer practical pathways for improving border efficiency within West Africa. He stressed that harmonised procedures, coordinated risk management systems and stronger institutional partnerships will be critical to achieving seamless trade movement across regional corridors. He added that sustained collaboration among neighbouring customs administrations remains essential for delivering measurable improvements in trade facilitation and revenue assurance.

Earlier, Director for Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion at Afreximbank, Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, highlighted the significance of the benchmarking exercise as part of the Bank’s broader strategy to support trade-enabling infrastructure across Africa. He explained that the objective was not simply to showcase physical infrastructure but to expose participating administrations to the governance structures, operational models and institutional reforms that underpin the success of modern border posts. “Infrastructure is important, but what truly drives performance is an operating model built on accountability, coordination, technology and measurable service standards. Those are the lessons we hope will be replicated across strategic corridors on the continent,” he said.

The mission concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué committing Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin to establish a Trilateral Strategic Steering Committee to drive implementation of the recommendations arising from the visit. The three customs administrations also pledged to pursue harmonised procedures, digital interoperability, coordinated risk management systems and sustained investment in personnel development.

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated a National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance as part of a far-reaching reform programme aimed at strengthening professionalism, institutional governance and stakeholder collaboration across Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.

The committee was inaugurated at the Institute’s headquarters in Abuja by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, who described the initiative as a strategic milestone in building a more credible, accountable and globally competitive hospitality sector.

Fagade said the committee would develop a comprehensive national framework for the recognition, regulation and collaboration of professional bodies operating within the hospitality, tourism, travel and allied sectors.

He noted that the industry is home to numerous professional associations, making it necessary to establish a unified governance framework capable of promoting transparency, professionalism, ethical conduct and institutional accountability.

According to him, stronger institutions remain the foundation of every successful profession, stressing that the committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of laying a credible governance structure that will command national acceptance and international respect.

The NIHOTOUR boss explained that the assignment aligns with the provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, which empowers the Institute to regulate standards, promote professional development and strengthen institutional capacity within Nigeria’s tourism ecosystem.

He said the committee has been given three months to submit practical recommendations that will shape the future governance architecture of professional bodies in the sector.

Its terms of reference include developing objective criteria for recognising professional associations, recommending governance and accountability standards, proposing ethical guidelines, strengthening collaboration with government institutions and eliminating areas of institutional overlap.

The committee is also expected to recommend strategies for improving coordination among industry organisations while preserving their individual mandates and enhancing investor confidence and global competitiveness.

Fagade emphasised that the initiative is not designed to restrict the activities of legitimate professional organisations but to establish standards that promote excellence, integrity and public trust across the industry.

He urged members of the committee to discharge their responsibilities with fairness, professionalism and patriotism, adding that their recommendations must be inclusive, legally sound and capable of delivering lasting institutional reforms.

Chairman of the committee, Professor Wasiu A. Babalola, Esq., thanked the NIHOTOUR management for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged that the assignment would be carried out with integrity, objectivity and transparency.

Babalola said the committee would engage extensively with practitioners, regulators, investors, academics and professional associations to ensure its recommendations reflect global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique industry realities.

The committee comprises respected professionals representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Dr. Muhammad Nasir Yusuf, Suleiman A. Ahmad, Dr. Elizabeth Babagale, Mr. Aniyikaye Adebayo Samuel, Mr. Bashir Abiodun Bello, Ms. Ajibola Olubiyi and Mrs. Uloma Egbuona, bringing together broad regional representation and industry expertise.

The inauguration forms part of NIHOTOUR’s broader reform agenda to deepen professional standards, improve institutional governance, enhance quality assurance and position Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry as a stronger driver of economic diversification, investment, employment generation and sustainable national development under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The inaugural Afeni Inter-Secondary School Football Tournament officially came to a thrilling conclusion on 24 July, 2026, with Favour Comprehensive College emerging as the champion of the 2026 edition following a standout performance in the finale match

According to a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, ANIPR, on July 25, 2026, ​the tournament, sponsored by Ag. Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Afeni in partnership with the Jonnyyeko College of Health Science and Technology, brought together 12 secondary school teams from across the border region. Designed as a key Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the competition utilized the power of sports to engage local youths productively, foster community unity, and combat illicit border smuggling.

At the closing ceremony, the Ag. Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Deputy Compt Afeni emphasized that the program leverages football to mentor students, advocate for their growth, and unlock their potential beyond regional boundaries.

​Favour Comprehensive College claimed the top spot after navigating through a competitive field of 12 secondary schools.
​
Over two weeks of competition (July 13–24, 2026), hundreds of students were engaged as players, student officials, and spectators.
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Educational authorities, youth associations, and border community leaders rallied behind the initiative to promote education and steer young individuals away from dangerous smuggling activities.

Grand prizes, including cash awards, educational materials, and sports gear, were presented to the champions, runners-up, and outstanding individual performers.

​The successful completion of the 2026 tournament marks a major milestone for youth development and sports diplomacy in the Idiroko border area, setting the stage for future annual editions.

Delivering the high caliber of play expected from the tournaments, the competition crowned its standout performers. Okanlawon Al-Amin of S.S. International School finished as the highest goal scorer with four goals, Olawale Saoban of Favour Comprehensive College won Best Goalkeeper, and Holy Childhood Academy’s Rigobert emerged as the tournament’s Best Player
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The Afeni Inter-Secondary School Football Tournament is a grassroots sports initiative established in Idiroko, Ogun State. It aims to nurture young athletic talent, promote education, and leverage sports as a tool for crime prevention and social transformation among youth along the border corridor.

Leading stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry have endorsed a Hybrid Professional Governance Framework as a practical strategy for strengthening workforce development, improving regulation and boosting the sector’s global competitiveness.

The recommendation emerged at the NIHOTOUR Stakeholder Engagement Forum held on July 15, 2026, where experts from academia, professional associations, government agencies, regulators and private sector organisations examined pathways for sustainable growth in the industry.

Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade, said building a globally competitive tourism workforce requires stronger collaboration among government institutions, universities, professional bodies and industry operators.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Wasiu Babalola, Professor of Hotel Management and Tourism at Atiba University, Oyo, legal practitioner and PhD candidate at the Faculty of Law, Lead City University, Ibadan, presented a paper titled, Strategic Roles of Industry Associations and Professional Bodies in Workforce Registration, Certification, Licensing and Sustainable Human Capital Development.

The presentation forms part of his doctoral research, Professional Recognition by Professional Practice: A Viable Alternative for Nigerian Tourism and Hospitality Professional Stability, which explores how statutory regulation and professional self governance can work together to strengthen the sector.

Professor Babalola noted that while the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 marked a major milestone in the professionalisation of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry, legislation alone cannot deliver long term institutional stability without active participation from recognised professional bodies.

According to him, the industry continues to face fragmented regulation, overlapping institutional responsibilities, inconsistent certification standards, weak professional identity and inadequate workforce data, all of which require collaboration rather than institutional competition.

Drawing lessons from the legal, medical, engineering, architecture and accounting professions, he explained that successful professional systems thrive where government regulators establish statutory standards while recognised professional bodies focus on ethics, competence development, continuing education and peer recognition.

A major highlight of the presentation was the proposed Hybrid Professional Governance Structure under the Professional Recognition by Professional Practice framework, which seeks to balance statutory oversight with professional autonomy.

Under the proposal, NIHOTOUR would retain responsibility for regulation, licensing, certification, national standards and workforce registration, while recognised professional bodies would oversee continuing professional development, ethical compliance, specialised training and practitioner engagement.

The roadmap also recommends formal recognition of credible professional associations, clear delineation of practice areas, development of Standard Operating Procedures and operational manuals, competency based certification, a National Digital Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Register and stronger collaboration among government, academia and industry.

Professor Babalola further explained that Section 4 of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 already provides sufficient legal backing for strategic partnerships between the institute and professional bodies in areas such as training, certification, capacity building and other statutory responsibilities.

Participants at the forum welcomed the proposal, describing it as a practical governance model capable of eliminating duplication of responsibilities, strengthening institutional cooperation and improving the quality of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality workforce.

The stakeholders also urged NIHOTOUR to sustain consultations with industry players to refine the framework and produce a governance model that enjoys broad acceptance across the tourism and hospitality sector.

Closing his presentation, Professor Babalola said the future of professionalisation in Nigeria’s tourism industry depends on partnership rather than rivalry between regulators and professional bodies. He also commended the Faculty of Law, Lead City University, Ibadan, for providing the academic environment that enabled his doctoral research to contribute to national policy discussions and global best practices in tourism and hospitality development.

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), His Excellency Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to upgrading dilapidated infrastructure, phasing out unsafe boats, strengthening waterway safety enforcement, and deepening collaboration with the private sector to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Shagari made this known during a facility tour of NIWA projects and facilities in Lagos, led by the Board Chairman alongside members of the Board and the Managing Director of NIWA, Engr. Yusuf Gerie, at the NIWA Lagos Area Office, Marina on Wednesday.

Speaking during a media briefing at the event, the Board Chairman stated that the visit was part of efforts to assess operations within the Lagos Area Office and identify areas requiring intervention to improve inland water transportation across the country.

According to him, one of the first decisions taken by the newly inaugurated Board was to undertake a comprehensive review of NIWA infrastructure nationwide, with a view to rehabilitating dilapidated offices and jetties while expanding critical water transport infrastructure.

“We have made provisions in our budget to address infrastructure challenges across our offices and jetties nationwide. We want all NIWA facilities to be functional, presentable and capable of supporting efficient service delivery,” he said.

Shagari noted that the Board is also committed to increasing the number of jetties across the country, particularly in Lagos, to support the growing demand for water transportation.

On funding, the Board Chairman acknowledged the importance of government support but stressed that NIWA was actively pursuing strategies to improve its internally generated revenue through stronger stakeholder engagement and collaboration with relevant agencies.

Addressing concerns over unregulated jetties and safety compliance, he disclosed that NIWA was working closely with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, to strengthen enforcement and ensure adherence to water transport regulations.

He further expressed concern over the continued use of old and unsafe boats by operators, describing many of the vessels currently in use as outdated and unsuitable for modern water transportation.

“We are committed to phasing out unsafe vessels and replacing them with safer and more modern alternatives. The safety of Nigerians on our waterways remains a top priority,” Shagari stated.

The Board Chairman also revealed that NIWA was exploring avenues for the procurement of modern vessels and would collaborate with indigenous boat builders and other stakeholders to improve the quality of water transport services across the country.

Highlighting the economic benefits of inland waterways transportation, Shagari emphasized that safer and more navigable waterways would reduce transportation costs, lower pressure on road infrastructure, facilitate the movement of goods and contribute to economic growth.

He called for greater private sector participation in dredging, infrastructure development and water transportation services, noting that sustainable development of the waterways sector requires collective effort.

Earlier, the Managing Director of NIWA, Engr. Yusuf Gerie, said the Board’s visit was aimed at obtaining firsthand knowledge of activities within the Lagos Area Office and identifying measures to improve operations across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Gerie commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for assembling a team of experienced professionals and technocrats to reposition the Authority and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda within the marine and blue economy sector.

In her welcome address, the Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, expressed appreciation to the Board Chairman, Board members and the Managing Director for the visit.

She highlighted the strategic importance of Lagos to inland water transportation in Nigeria and noted that the Lagos Area Office remains committed to promoting safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and infrastructure development on the nation’s busiest waterways.

Braimah expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and enhance the overall performance of the Authority.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Board Member, Captain Tajudeen Alao, appreciated the media for their continued support and coverage of NIWA’s activities. He called on water transport operators, security agencies, private investors and other stakeholders to collaborate with the Authority in its efforts to ensure safer, more efficient and sustainable inland waterways transportation.

Captain Alao emphasized that collective responsibility, compliance with safety regulations and sustained stakeholder support remain critical to achieving a safer inland waterways sector for all Nigerians.