Flowerbud News

Author: Ejide Onibiyo

  • NIMASA: Adenike Iyelolu appointed Registrar of Ships

    Mrs Adenike Iyelolu as the Registrar of Ships for the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

    NIMASA: Adenike Iyelolu appointed Registrar of Ships
    Lagos, November, 18, 2025, The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has approved the appointment of Mrs Adenike Iyelolu as the Registrar of Ships for the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
    This is contained in a statement by the Assistant Director, Head of Public Relations of the agency, Mr Edward Osagie on Tuesday.
    He said the appointment, which is for a four-year tenure, followed the recommendation of the NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola.
    He stated that the appointment is in line with the 2007 NIMASA Act, which stipulated that the Registrar of Ships would report directly to the director general for effective administration of the Nigerian Ship Registry.
    ” The Act provides that the registrar of ships shall, with the approval of the minister, be appointed by the director general from among the staff of the agency.
    “Adenike Iyelolu, who is currently a deputy director in the employ of NIMASA, is an accomplished legal and maritime governance professional with over 25 years of post-call experience, spanning maritime and legal practice, arbitration, procurement, contract administration, corporate governance, and institutional leadership amongst others.
     “Iyelolu’s appointment followed the retirement of the former registrar of ships, Tajudeen Giwa, after years of commendable service,”Osagie said.

  • NMLA elects new executive committee

    From from L-R,Tsumba assumed the role of Financial Secretary, Mr Nonso Azih was chosen as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Nneka Obianyor was elected Honorary Secretary, Professor Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin, SAN, emerged as the 1st Vice President, Mr Mike Igbokwe, SAN, emerged as the President and Dr Emeka Akabogu, elected as the 2nd President, Chief Omolola Ikwuagwu was elected Treasurer, and Mrs Mojisola Jaiye-Gbenle was elected Publicity Secretary
    during the 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Saturday

     

    Lagos, Nov. 17, 2025, The Nigerian Maritime Law Association has elected a new Executive Committee, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Igbokwe emerging as President on Saturday.
    This is confirmed in a statement on Monday by the association.
    The meeting was held at the association’s headquarters and brought together members from across the country.
    The NMLA is an affiliate of the Comité Maritime International, a global body promoting the development and unification of maritime law.
    Mr Mike Igbokwe was elected President, while Prof. Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin became First Vice President and Dr Emeka Akabogu became Second Vice President.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Nneka Obianyor was elected Honorary Secretary, while Mr Nonso Azih was chosen as Assistant Secretary of the association.
    Chief Omolola Ikwuagwu was elected Treasurer, and Ms Kashimana Tsumba assumed the role of Financial Secretary.
    NAN also reports that Mrs Mojisola Jaiye-Gbenle was elected Publicity Secretary during the meeting.
    The association congratulated the new officers and expressed confidence in their capacity to lead effectively.
    Members commended the team’s experience and commitment to advancing maritime law in the country.
    The new Executive Committee would promote the development, unification, and effective administration of maritime law.
    The association urged all stakeholders to support the new leadership in achieving greater progress in maritime legal practice.

     

  • Oduwole seeks legal modernisation to drive Nigeria’s multimodal transport

    From Left to right, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Adedoyin Rhod-Vivours Justice Olayinka Faji, Mrs Oyindamola Ade-Alli, Prof. Bankole Sodipo (SAN), President Nigeria Maritime Law Association,(NMLA), (SAN), Funke Agbor, Port Police Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police, Segun Falemora, Mrs Aderinke Adekanye, Deputy Director, Legal Services NIMASA and Moderate, Mr Michael Abiiba during the 16 Lecture and AGM of NMLA held in Lagos on Friday

     

    Oduwole seeks legal modernisation to drive Nigeria’s multimodal transport
    Lagos, November 14, 2025: Minister of the Industry Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has emphasised the urgent need to modernise Nigeria’s transport laws to match rapidly evolving global supply chains.
    Oduwole who was represented by the Legal Adviser, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) made the call in her keynote address at the 16th Lecture and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) held on Friday in Lagos.
    The lecture, which has the theme, “The Future of Multimodal Transport in Global Trade: Evolving Carriage Regimes, Enforcement Mechanisms and Legal Certainty”, examined the transformation of global logistics and its implications for Nigeria.
    Oduwole said transport systems across sea, road, rail, air and inland waterways are advancing far faster than the legal instruments that guide them.
    She described the gap as a major threat to the nation’s Blue Economy ambitions.
    “Modernising transport networks and strengthening regulatory environments are essential to protecting shippers and carriers, boosting investor confidence, and integrating our economy more deeply into global trade,” she said.
    Oduwole noted that global trade is now centred on seamless, origin-to-destination delivery anchored on clear liability rules, safety standards and strong enforcement systems.
    “The future of trade will be determined by two factors: how efficiently goods move and how clearly the law governs that movement,” Oduwole said.
    The minister highlighted the need to adopt evolving carriage regimes and stronger enforcement mechanisms, especially as Nigeria works to strengthen its competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
    She reviewed the Hague, Hague-Visby and Hamburg Rules, staples of maritime law, but noted their limitations in the era of multimodal and digitalised supply chains.
    From left to right, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Igbokwe; Legal Adviser, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mrs Oyindamola Ade-Alli, who represented Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole; President, Nigeria Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs Funke Agbor and Dr Emeka Akabogu a maritime lawyer during the 16th Lecture and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos on Friday
    Oduwole pointed to the Rotterdam Rules as a model for modern frameworks that support electronic documentation, single multimodal contracts and greater carrier responsibility.
    “These rules provide key insights, including a single contract for multimodal transport, recognition of electronic transport records, extended responsibilities for carriers and enhanced transparency,” she said.
    Oduwole identified fragmented liability as one of the biggest obstacles in multimodal logistics, where cargo often moves across vessels, trucks, barges and warehouses under different and unclear rules.
    “As we develop major logistics assets such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port and proposed ports in Bakassi, Ibom, Badagry, Olokola, Agge and Ilaje, we must ensure a harmonised liability system that investors can trust,” she added.
    She also underscored the importance of strong enforcement frameworks alongside modern laws, citing Nigeria’s adoption of digital documentation, e-verification, vessel tracking and risk-based inspections as positive steps.
    She praised Lagos State for advancing a governance ecosystem built on safety, compliance and investor confidence, noting that the state is well positioned to become a maritime arbitration hub for West Africa.
    Looking ahead, Oduwole described the Blue Economy as one of Nigeria’s most promising frontiers, spanning ports, maritime services, inland waterways, fisheries, offshore activities and coastal tourism.
    She said progress in the sector depends heavily on safe waterways, efficient transport systems and modern legal and enforcement frameworks.
    She urged policymakers, maritime lawyers and industry leaders to collaborate in updating carriage regimes, clarifying multimodal liability, strengthening enforcement and building legal certainty to support sustainable growth.
    From L-R, The Maritime Lawyers, Mrs Gloria Kanabe, Mr Osuala Nwagbra and Mrs Tosan Edodo-Emore during the 16th annual lecture of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association NMLA, held in Lagos on Friday
    In her welcome address, NMLA President, Mrs Funke Agbor, said evolving global supply chains demand legal frameworks that are modern, integrated and enforceable.
    She stressed the need for lawyers and practitioners to adapt as logistics become more complex and rapidly changing.
    Agbor said the programme featured two panel sessions.
    The first examined enforcement challenges in multimodal transport, including overlapping liabilities, inconsistent documentation and weak institutional coordination.
    The second panel explored legal certainty in admiralty and multimodal transport, focusing on jurisdictional clarity, emerging contractual structures and the role of the courts.
    She added that the event also included a Mock Arbitration session demonstrating practical dispute resolution in multimodal logistics.
    Agbor commended Oduwole for her contribution to trade and investment reforms and for deepening national understanding of the links between logistics, law and infrastructure.
    L-R Mr Michael Abiiba, Mrs Oluwaseyi Adejuyigbe, Mrs Anita Olabokunde, Mrs Mojisola Jaiye-Gbenle, and Mr Ogochukwu Eze, they are all Legal Practitioners and the planning committee of the 16 Lecture and Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association
    L-R, Director from the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA, Hajia Aisha Idris-Yakunu and the former President, Nigeria Maritime Law Association NMLA commenting after the panel section on Friday
    She also commended members of the association and key agencies including the Nigerian Shippers Council, NIMASA, NPA and NIWA for their continued support and engagement.
    Agbor said the meeting marked another milestone in strengthening the maritime law profession and advancing Nigeria’s growing Blue Economy.

  • One-Stop-Shop system to boost trade facilitation at seaports – Customs

     

    From left, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa customs Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba and the Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller General, Muhammed Babadede during the launching of the One-Stop-Shop system to boost trade facilitation at seaports – Customs in Lagos on Thursday

     

    One-Stop-Shop system to boost trade facilitation at seaports – Customs
    Lagos, November 13, 2025, The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, says the service has launched a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) system.
    He said the system would streamline interventions and boost trade facilitation at Nigeria’s seaports.
    Babandede made this known during the launch of the One-Stop-Shop held in Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday.
    He described the platform as a centralised framework designed to simplify interventions on flagged or non-compliant declarations.
    From third left, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Muhammed Babadede, during the launching of the One-Stop-Shop system held in Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday
    According to him, the platform aims to enhance trade facilitation across Nigeria’s busiest ports and reduce cargo dwell time to an average of 48 hours per shipment.
    He said the OSS represented a smarter, technology-driven approach to cargo clearance that would improve efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency collaboration.
    “The OSS brings all relevant customs units under one operational roof, allowing joint review, examination, and decision-making at a single point of contact,” he said.
    Babandede explained that the platform would complement the B’Odogwu digital system, enabling real-time data sharing, centralised documentation, analytical reporting, and seamless trader engagement through the Customs portal.
    He added that the innovation was expected to reduce cargo dwell time to about 48 hours per shipment, cut demurrage costs, and foster accountability in port operations.
    He said the OSS would eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that often delay cargo release, ensuring that every flagged declaration is handled transparently and collaboratively.
    A cross session of customs officers at the launching of the One-Stop-Shop held in Apapa on Thursday
    Babandede commended the NCS-ICT team for developing the platform, describing it as a milestone in the service’s modernisation drive.
    He noted that the success of the OSS would rely on the integrity of its implementation.
    A cross session of customs officers and stakeholders at the launching of the One-Stop-Shop held in Apapa on Thursday
    The Assistant Comptroller-General urged customs officials and the trading community to efficiently utilise the process.
    He said the implementation of the OSS reinforced Customs’ commitment to strengthening trade for national growth through technology-driven reforms in line with global best practices.
    The event attracted key port stakeholders, including Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba of Apapa Command and Comptroller Frank Onyeka of Tin-Can Island Port.
    Also present were Comptroller Peter Ntadi of Western Marine Command, terminal operators, licensed customs agents, brokers, and representatives of freight forwarder associations.
    Port users hailed the initiative as a welcome innovation to enhance trade facilitation and improve port operations.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Oyetola emerges Chairman FCWC: pledges regional collaboration to end illegal fishing

    Outgoing Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), Mr Cyrus Saygbe Sr (right) handing over the reigns of office to the newly elected Chairman of FCWC and Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola (CON), during the 16th Conference of Ministers of the FCWC in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday 

    Oyetola emerges Chairman FCWC: pledges regional collaboration to end illegal fishing
    Lagos, November 13, 202, The  Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has been elected as the Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
    The election which took place on Thursday at the 16th Conference of Ministers of the FCWC, hosted by Nigeria at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
    The high-level regional meeting, held with the  theme “Securing Our Ocean Future: People, Resources, and Commitments,” brought together Ministers and senior officials from FCWC Member States including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire.
    Other members at the conference were Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo, alongside representatives of regional institutions, international partners, and maritime experts.
    In his acceptance speech, Oyetola expressed deep gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues and pledged to build on the strong foundation laid by his predecessors.
    Oyetola underscored his commitment to advancing collective action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing which was a major threat to marine sustainability and regional stability.
    “Together, we must put an end to the scourge of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in our waters.
    “This menace robs our nations of economic opportunities, threatens our food security, and undermines the livelihoods of millions who depend on the sea.
    “Under my chairmanship, I will work collaboratively with all Member States to ensure stronger enforcement, better data sharing, and improved governance of our shared marine resources.” he said.
    The Minister emphasised that his tenure would prioritise regional cooperation, transparency, and capacity building as tools to strengthen the collective management of ocean resources within the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
    He noted that effective ocean governance is a shared responsibility that demands political will, coordinated enforcement, and sustained partnerships across borders.
    Earlier in his keynote address  Oyetola had welcomed delegates on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    He reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to the FCWC and highlighted the growing importance of the blue economy in national development.
    “Our sub-region is richly endowed with marine resources that support livelihoods, food security, trade, and cultural identity for millions of our people.
    “Yet these resources face growing pressures from IUU fishing, maritime insecurity, pollution, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change.
    “These are challenges that no nation can overcome in isolation; they demand sustained regional collaboration, political will, and shared responsibility,”Oyetola said.
    “The President Tinubu’s  administration views the marine and blue economy as a strategic frontier for economic diversification and transformation,”he said.
     Oyetola outlined Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in port modernisation, maritime security, aquaculture expansion, and institutional coordination aimed at fostering sustainable growth.
    He further called for strengthened joint patrols, harmonised  regulations, real-time intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement mechanisms among FCWC Member States.
     “At the regional level, cooperation remains our greatest strength.
      “The outcomes of this conference must translate into actionable measures that strengthen ocean security, enhance economic opportunities, and safeguard the prosperity of future generations,” Oyetola said.
    The conference was preceded by a series of technical sessions attended by delegates from FCWC member States and development partners, during which progress reports and new initiatives for regional fisheries governance.

     


    L-R: Benin Republic’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Gaston Dossouhoui; Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola (CON) and former Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), Mr Cyrus Saygbe Sr, at the 16th Conference of Ministers of the FCWC in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday

     

  • Nigeria, Denmark strengthen maritime partnership

    Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (left) and the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen during a courtesy visit by the Danish Ambassador to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos

     

    Nigeria, Denmark strengthen maritime partnership
    Lagos, Nov. 7, 2025: The Government of Denmark has pledged its continued support for Nigeria’s maritime sector development while seeking to explore new areas of economic partnerships.
    The Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jens Jansen, pledged the support during his visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency(NIMASA) Head Office in Lagos, according to a statement by Mr Edwin Osagie, Deputy Director of the agency’s Public Relations unit.
    Jansen emphasised the relationship between both countries ,which spans decades ,had seen the Danish government and Danish private companies invest in the Nigerian maritime industry.
    He said that Denmark was willing to explore new areas of collaboration with Nigeria, especially in the area training of seafarers ,maritime security support, amongst others.
    Jansen said that Denmark would also support training initiatives, such as the Ship-in-a-Box (SIAB) simulator project with the UNODC, to enhance the skills of Nigerian maritime law enforcement personnel in areas like Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
    The NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, while welcoming Jansen and other Danish officials to his office, expressed appreciation for Denmark’s continued engagement with Nigeria on maritime development.
    “I would like to use this opportunity, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Government, to thank the Danish Government for its long-standing support for the maritime sector.
    “This (support)has seen Danish companies successfully invest in various areas of the sector, and we are confident that this relationship can only grow.
    “The key areas of cooperation between both countries have focused on training and professional development for maritime security, as well as joint efforts to improve Nigeria’s maritime sector’s digital infrastructure,”Mobereola said.

    He also acknowledged that Danish companies,like APM Terminals, had also made significant investments in Nigeria’s port infrastructure

    in Lagos, Onne and Kano.
    Photo Caption:R-L: Deputy Head , Commercial & Trade Advisory, Consulate of Denmark in Nigeria, Sara Ibru; Executive Director , Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Chudi Offodile; Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen; Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola; Counsel General, Consulate of Denmark in Nigeria , Jette Bjerrom; Executive Director Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Adeyemi and Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Jibril Abba during a visit by the Danish Ambassador to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos

  • 2025 National Discourse: Experts solicit full port modernisation

    From.L-R the Convener, National Discourse Mr Kelvin Kagbare; A Maritime Expert and Logistics Leader, Mr Mark Onechi; Mr Richard Owolabi of NIMASA; the President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAFRICA), Nigeria Chapter, Mrs Rollens Macfoy and Executive Director of Operations at Tantita Security Services Ltd, Capt. Dr Warredi Enisuoh, during the 3rd National discourse held in Lagos on Thursday

    Expert and Logistics Leader, Mr Mark Onechi, proposed the establishment of an independent economic regulator for the sector, with the authority to attract skilled professionals and ensure concession compliance.

     

     

    He advocated for a deep-water strategy modeled after successful international frameworks like Ndayane, to guide long-term infrastructure expansion.

     

     

    The expert urged the Federal Government to implement a National Skills Development Programme that supported training in automation,

     

    maintenance, and digital systems through grants and partnerships.

    “True modernisation requires collaboration between government and private stakeholders, not isolated policy fixes.

     

     

    “Nigeria’s maritime revival depends on deliberate investment in people, infrastructure, and transparent governance with synchronised reforms,” Musa stressed.

     

     

    The Convener of the national

    discourse, Kagbare, also Publisher of Maritime Insiders and News Gate Newspapers, said that the forum was more than a gathering, adding that it was a movement and an urgent quest in dire search of transformation.

     

     

    He explained that the conference was enriched by the presence of top industry figures, including the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Wale Adeniyi, and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho.

     

     

    Kagbare noted that the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAFRICA), Nigerian Chapter, Mrs Rollens Macfoy, were also present among others.

     

    He called for collective responsibility, urging all stakeholders to “modernise, regulate, and empower” for a more efficient maritime future.

     

  • Experts call for unlocking of Nigeria’s maritime potential

     

    From left, the Publisher, Port News Newspaper, Mr Wale Oni, the former Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, Elder ASU Beks and the Managing Director, Bomarah Nig. Ltd., Hajia Bola Muse, during the 30th anniversary of Port News Newspaper held in Lagos on Thursday

     

    Maritime Experts call for unlocking Nigeria’s maritime potential
    Lagos, Nov. 6, 2025,  Maritime experts have called for immediate action to unlock Nigeria’s maritime potential for sustainable growth of the Blue Economy.
    The experts made the call during the 30th anniversary of Port News, being the first maritime newspaper, held in Lagos on Thursday.
    The experts emphasised that the maritime industry is a crucial part of Nigeria’s economy, consistently generating revenue despite various economic challenges.
    They, however, noted that the sector still faced significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of investment, and a shortage of skilled personnel.
    Mr Wale Oni, Publisher of Port News, emphasised the maritime industry’s importance to Nigeria’s economy, lamenting that the country has yet to fully harness its potential in the marine and blue economy sectors.
    Oni commended the efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for keeping the Cabotage Vessels Finance Fund (CVFF) intact for over 20 years.
    He questioned why the funds had not been released to support indigenous ship owners.
    “The CVFF has accumulated over $800 million, but the funds remain unutilised, depriving the industry of much-needed investment.
    “The country’s maritime industry is dominated by foreign operators, with local players struggling to compete, which reduces investment opportunities for indigenous operators.
    “Nigeria has a shortage of skilled seamen and maritime professionals, leading to a reliance on foreign expertise,” Oni said.
    He stressed the need for a vibrant Cabotage regime, investment in infrastructure, and training programmes for Nigerian seamen.
    The publisher called on stakeholders to collaborate and address the industry challenges to unlock the country’s maritime potential.
    Similarly, Capt. Ladi Olubowale, the Guest Lecturer and President of the African Ship Owners Association, shared his expertise on the way forward for the industry.
    Olubowale urged the government to release the CVFF fund to support indigenous ship owners and stimulate growth in the industry.
    He emphasised that both the government and private sector should invest in maritime infrastructure, such as ports, terminals, and shipping facilities.
    Olubowale recommended that periodical programmes should be established to train and develop Nigerian seamen and maritime professionals.
    “The maritime industry has the potential to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy.
    “It is time for stakeholders to come together and work towards unlocking the country’s maritime potential,” Olubowale said.

     

  • Oshoba verifies scanner integration in Apapa port

    From second left, Trade Modernisation Project(TMP), Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Mrs Bamidele Chinedu; Apapa Customs controller, Mr Emmanuel Oshoba; Project Manager Nuctech Company Ltd., Mr Niu Chao; Customs Scanner Officer, Mr Umar Madugu; and the Team Manager Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) Mr Umar Adamu, during the final test running of the electronic scanner before final inauguration on Thursday in Lagos

     

    Oshoba verifies scanner integration in Apapa port
    Lagos, Nov. 6, 2025, The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has confirmed that the new electronic scanner integration at Apapa Port can process 200 containers per hour.
    Oshoba made this known during the final test run of the scanner to ascertain its readiness for inauguration at the Apapa Port Complex on Thursday.
    Customs conducted a full test run of the newly installed scanners at APM Terminals, marking the final step before full deployment.
    Oshoba led the exercise alongside technical teams, scanner operators, ICT personnel, and representatives of the modernisation project. He stated that operations could now commence fully.
    He explained that the scanners would enable a paperless clearance process, with scanned images automatically matched to electronic declarations without the need for physical document submission.
    “We will now operate a paperless system where every scanned image matches the declaration. Once captured, the system analyses and releases the cargo promptly,” Oshoba said.
    He stressed that compliance was crucial, adding that once a container was scanned and its contents recorded, Customs could not be blamed for any delay.
    “Stakeholders must comply because the system displays everything. Information is transmitted electronically to Abuja with recommendations and without human interference,” he added.
    Oshoba said delays would only occur when discrepancies arose between declarations and scanned images during the clearance process.
    He noted that the automated and analytical nature of the system would improve the Command’s time release performance and bolster national security.
    “With these scanners, illicit drugs or ammunition will be easily detected. Even a hidden pistol will appear clearly. It strengthens security and supports modernisation,” he stated.
    Oshoba said the project aligned with the Comptroller-General’s commitment to full digitalisation across Customs operations nationwide.
    “From experience, most smugglers conceal contraband goods, but the system automatically detects such discrepancies and flags them for physical examination,” he added.
    He said the Command was moving away from manual processes as ASYCUDA operations had now been fully integrated with scanning technology for improved trade facilitation.
    The Apapa CAC noted that Customs tariff declaration procedures helped officers identify the nature of agents’ declarations during clearance processes.
    He urged stakeholders to support the initiative to make Nigerian ports the preferred ports of origin and destination in West and Central Africa.
    Oshoba declared that the Command was ready for full deployment following the successful completion of final technical validation tests.
    The Scanner Officer, Deputy Comptroller Mr Umar Madugu displaying the electronic scanner operations to operators and media in Apapa on Thursday
    The Deputy Comptroller in charge of the Scanning Unit, Umar Madugu, explained the system’s capabilities, noting that it could process about 200 containers daily when fully operational.
    The Thursday’s exercise covered image capture, data transmission, system communication, and fault-tolerant mechanisms as part of final operational testing.
    Madugu revealed that the scanner had an internal camera to enhance image quality and detect any infraction or concealment within containers.
    “Prohibited items depend on specific country requirements. Once such goods are detected, we conduct 100 per cent physical examination,” he said.
    Project Manager for Nuctech Company Ltd., Mr Niu Chao, said scanned images first migrate to a central cloud system in Abuja before being displayed locally for analysis.
    A picture of scanning centre at APM terminal in Apapa
    “All images are sent to Abuja’s central image analysis workstation. They are stored in the cloud and made available to local operators across the country.
    “In case of network failure, the system has local analysis capability that allows operations to continue seamlessly,” he explained.
    The deployment of the scanners is expected to shorten clearance times, reduce physical examinations, and enhance the detection of prohibited imports.
    The Trade Modernisation Project Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Mrs Chinedu Bamidele, said she was optimistic about 24-hour cargo clearance once operations begin.
    “It is exciting that everything is in place to commence operations. Our main concern is resistance from those unwilling to allow this project to take off,” she said.
    Officials from the modernisation project and terminal representatives were present during the simulation exercise to monitor workflow.
    The final test run was conducted to assess the readiness of the system before the commencement of full-scale operations at the Apapa Port.
    From left, Project Manager Nuctech Company Ltd., Mr Niu Chao,Customs Scanner Officer, Mr Umar Madugu and Apapa Customs controller, Mr Emmanuel Oshoba, during the final test running of the electronic scanner before final inauguration on Thursday in Lagos