NIMASA, NUPRC MEET TO IMPROVE ON INDUSTRY REGULATION

NIMASA, NUPRC MEET TO IMPROVE ON INDUSTRY REGULATION

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s investment climate through enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

This formed the core of discussions during a working visit by the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, to the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and her management team at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Both agencies emphasized the importance of improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria while optimizing accruable benefits to the Federal Government.

The meeting underscored the need for coordinated regulatory efforts to eliminate operational bottlenecks, promote investor confidence, and ensure efficient revenue generation across the maritime and oil and gas critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

NIMASA’s mandate of promoting indigenous capacity in international shipping trade as well as prevention of marine pollution and control directly aligns with the responsibilities of NUPRC, which include ensuring compliance with regulations as they relate to upstream extraction activities, promoting investment and enforcing environmental/safety standards.

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Customs Launches Digital One-Stop-Shop to Cut Cargo Delays

Customs Launches Digital One-Stop-Shop to Cut Cargo Delays

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has launched a new digital One-Stop-Shop,  OSS, platform aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks at Nigeria’s ports and significantly reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Lagos the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as a major structural reform designed to modernise border operations and strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

The Customs boss noted that the platform aligns with Nigeria’s broader business reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, as well as global standards under the World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement, which estimates that efficient border reforms can cut trade costs in developing economies by over 14 percent.

He also announced that the Service is advancing toward a fully paperless customs environment, with the first phase of digital clearance and documentation processes scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

“This platform is a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated governance, from discretion to data, and from isolated actions to collective responsibility,” Adeniyi stated. “Through this reform, we continue to build systems that support lawful trade, protect national interests, and serve the economy with professionalism and integrity.”

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the OSS platform consolidates all risk interventions into a single electronic interface, streamlining multiple checks into a single digital umbrella.

“Today, the NCS is introducing the One-Stop-Shop digital platform, an innovative system designed to consolidate all risk interventions at the port into a single electronic interface,” she said. “We have listened to your feedback and recognised how multiple checkpoints and risk interventions affect business processes. Your involvement in this engagement is crucial to the success of this reform.”

A technical presentation by the Service’s Trade Facilitation Unit outlined strategies to reduce clearance time from an average of 21 days to about 48 hours, along with implementation plans and anticipated challenges.

Stakeholders at the engagement expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that the platform would facilitate legitimate trade. An interactive session also provided clarifications on operational procedures and expectations for the OSS rollout.

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ANLCA NOT A MEMBER OF JACCOF - ANLCA

ANLCA NOT A MEMBER OF JACCOF - ANLCA

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents has officially notified the public that ANLCA is not a member of any Joint Association of Customs Clearing Forwarding Agents, JACCOF, 

This information was  made available through an official Notice of Disclaimer and signed by the National Secretary, ANLCA, Fakanlu Olumide.

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56 Grassroots Football Clubs Vie for Taiwo Afolabi Cup

56 Grassroots Football Clubs Vie for Taiwo Afolabi Cup

No fewer than 56 grassroots football teams will compete for honours as the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament which will kick off on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Lagos.

The tournament, organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association,  LSGSA, and sponsored by SIFAX Group, is played in honour of Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group. It will feature 32 male teams and 24 female teams, making it one of the largest youth football competitions in the state’s grassroots football calendar.

Preliminary matches will be held at the Ojo Oniyun Sports Centre, Ebute Metta, and the Anthony Mini Stadium, Gbagada, while the grand finale is scheduled for May 2, 2026, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. 

Speaking at the press conference to announce the tournament, Afuka Abu, the Assistant Secretary of LSGSA, described the competition as a proven platform for discovering and grooming young talents for professional football.

“This tournament has consistently provided young players with the structure, exposure and discipline they need to progress to higher levels of the game. Many of our participants have moved on to national teams and professional clubs, and that remains our goal — to give every talented child a genuine opportunity,” Abu said.

SIFAX Group has supported the tournament for a decade as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to youth empowerment, sports development and community growth.

Oliver Omajuwa, Deputy Director, Strategy and Operations at SIFAX Group, said the sponsorship is rooted in the company’s philosophy of creating lasting value beyond business.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” he said. “This tournament was conceived not just as a competition, but as a platform for discovery, development and hope. For us, Corporate Social Responsibility is a long-term responsibility, not a one-time gesture.”

Over the years, the Taiwo Afolabi Cup has produced several standout talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria and secure contracts with clubs in Europe and other international leagues.

Notable players discovered through the competition include Samson Tijani, former Golden Eaglets captain, discovered at the 2019 edition, who currently plays for Dukla Prague in the Czech Republic; Soliu Afolabi, former Flying Eagles player, a player of Slovan Liberec; Chijioke Light, who later represented Nigeria at the WAFU Championship and the Africa Women Cup of Nations, and Ebenezer Ojo of Greater Tomorrow Academy, discovered in 2022, and currently playing in the Norwegian league.

Football stakeholders, scouts, former internationals and administrators are expected to attend the matches to identify emerging talents and provide guidance to participating players.

The 10th anniversary edition will not only celebrate a decade of impact but also raise the standard of grassroots football development in Lagos.

The Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to discovering and nurturing young football talents through competitive platforms and community-based initiatives.

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Customs Cares Initiative: CGC Adeniyi Commissions Classroom Block @Kirikiri Correctional Centre

Customs Cares Initiative:  CGC Adeniyi Commissions Classroom Block @

Kirikiri Correctional Centre 

Bisi Akingbade 

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  has reaffirmed its commitment to social development by commissioning a four-classroom block at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Lagos.

The project was commissioned by Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi and executed by the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, KLT, Command under the Customs Cares Initiative, which is designed to improve access to education for inmates and support their reintegration into society.

Speaking at the event, Adeniyi reiterated that the Service would continue to implement people-focused interventions aligned with global development priorities and national policy direction.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, through the Customs Cares Initiative, will continue to undertake several interventions inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, health, provision of water and support for literacy. These outcomes are driving our efforts, and this project is also in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at improving lives and promoting sustainable national development,” he said.

He commended the project's initiator, Assistant Comptroller-General, ACG, Joy Edeldouk, for her dedication and leadership in bringing the project to fruition.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria  Correctional Service , Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Corrections, Amos Kupan, described the project as a major contribution to the correctional centre’s rehabilitation efforts.

“This laudable intervention is a clear demonstration of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and its support for the rehabilitation mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service,” Kupan said. “We deeply appreciate this partnership, which underscores the shared responsibilities of government institutions in nation-building and human capital development.”

He further noted that the facility will improve the learning environment within the correctional centre and strengthen educational and vocational training programmes.

ACG Edeldouk, alongside the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, DC Bolaji Adigun, described the classroom block as a symbol of hope for inmates’ personal development through education.

Stakeholders at the event applauded the initiative, commending the Customs Service for extending its impact beyond statutory duties to promote social development and human dignity.

The event concluded with the official commissioning of the classroom block by the Comptroller-General of Customs, followed by a guided tour of the facility.

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CGC Adeniyi Pays Historic Visit to Emir of Gwandu

CGC Adeniyi Pays Historic Visit to Emir of Gwandu

…Charges Kebbi Command Officers on Discipline, Transit Integrity

Bisi Akingbade 

Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has paid homage to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, as part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions in strengthening border security, community engagement, and national development.

The visit, held at the Emir’s palace in Kebbi State, underscored the Service’s recognition of the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, promoting lawful trade, and supporting security agencies in border communities. The CGC was accompanied by senior officers of the Service, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of whom currently serve under the Gwandu Emirate.

Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi described the visit as strategic to Customs’ stakeholder partnership framework, noting that sustainable border management requires cooperation beyond enforcement institutions. He emphasised that traditional authorities remain indispensable allies in sensitising border residents, discouraging smuggling, and fostering trust between security agencies and local communities.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to sustain dialogue and collaboration with the Kebbi Emirate Council and border communities in curbing smuggling and other cross-border crimes that undermine national security and economic stability.

In his response, the Emir of Gwandu commended the CGC and his entourage for the visit and pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the NCS and other security agencies operating within the state. The monarch urged residents of border communities to cooperate with authorities by providing timely information to help tackle smuggling and related criminal activities.

As part of his official engagements in the state, the Comptroller-General visited the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, where he inspected ongoing ultra-modern projects aimed at improving operational capacity and personnel welfare. He commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre and a newly constructed five-aside football pitch named after retired DCG Bello Mohammed Jibo.

Addressing officers and men of the Command, CGC Adeniyi charged them to remain disciplined, professional, and committed to their responsibilities, describing Kebbi as a strategically significant border Command for both revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations. He stressed the need to ensure that goods move strictly through approved corridors and warned against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo.

The CGC noted that Kebbi State remains a critical route used by smugglers and economic saboteurs, particularly for the illegal export of petroleum products, which informed the deployment of special operations in the area. He disclosed that he had conveyed the president's approval for reopening the Tsamiya border and reminded officers that the development carries increased responsibility to prevent the diversion of transit goods.

He further emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration in addressing smuggling, banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organised crime, while assuring personnel of improved welfare and the continued deployment of technology to enhance operational efficiency.

The visit concluded on a symbolic note as the Comptroller-General joined officers and senior Customs officials in a friendly football match at the newly commissioned five-aside pitch, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and morale within the Command.

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SIFAX Group:Ports and Cargo Handling Services Targets Stronger Rebound in 2026

SIFAX Group:Ports and Cargo Handling Services Targets Stronger Rebound in 2026

Bisi Akingbade 

Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, has said its strategic decision of refocusing its business primarily on general cargo and break-bulk handling was responsible for its operational rebound in 2025. 

The improved performance follows a strategic repositioning of the terminal after a challenging 2024 where it lost some high-profile clients, which negatively affected the terminal’s cargo volumes and earnings. In response, the company refocused its operations on general cargo and break-bulk handling, a move that stabilised the business and unlocked a new growth trajectory.

According to John Jenkins, Managing Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, the restructuring of its stevedoring activities also played a major role in the recovery process.

“Our strategic operational reforms played a critical role in the rebound. The company restructured its stevedoring operations, resulting in a significant reduction in operating costs and measurable improvements in productivity following a change in service provider.

“We also invested in critical equipment such as forklifts and spare parts, while rebalancing our workforce. This included filling key operational roles with competent hands to strengthen service delivery and support higher volumes,” Jenkins added.

Looking ahead, the company has projected a significant revenue growth, with general cargo accounting for the largest share of these projections, supported by increased volumes of steel, vehicles, and palletised cargo, as well as higher import flows from Asia into Nigeria.

To sustain this growth and cope with expected increase in business volume, the company has outlined a 2026 capital expenditure that includes investments in crane upgrade, acquisition of additional forklifts, and terminal trucks. These investments will also help at easing capacity constraints, reducing equipment hire costs, and maintaining operational efficiency.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as space constraints and volatility in container shipping services, management expressed confidence in the company’s outlook.

“The lessons learned in 2025 have strengthened our approach to cost control, customer engagement, and operational execution. With demand no longer our primary constraint, our focus in 2026 is on efficient execution, handling higher cargo volumes while protecting margins and sustaining profitability,” Jenkins said.

Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited operates as part of the SIFAX Group’s port and logistics portfolio, providing specialised cargo handling solutions within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

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