Oyetola Separates Port Regulation from Operations, Transfers Inland Dry Ports to NPA

Bisi Akingbade 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the transfer of the inland dry port (IDP) functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in a move aimed at creating a clear separation between port economic regulation, development and operations. 

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser Dr. Bolaji Akinola, the Minister also directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026. 

Lagos APC Women Leaders Strategise for 2027 Campaign, Mobilise Support for Tinubu, Hamzat

Bisi Akingbade 

Lagos State APC women leaders and chieftains have commenced strategic preparations and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a renewed commitment to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s candidates.

The strategic campaign meeting, held at the PBAT/KOH Campaign Office on Sobo Arobiodu Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together prominent APC women leaders and chieftains, including Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Senator Akinbuli, Mrs. Orelope, Mrs. Akerele, Amd. Dr. Adegbenro Salewa Abisoye, Director General, TAG ALLIANCE and other party stakeholders.

The meeting focused on developing effective campaign strategies, strengthening grassroots structures and ensuring greater coordination and mobilisation across Lagos State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants emphasised the importance of unity, teamwork and a well-organised grassroots network in advancing the party’s political agenda and securing electoral support for President Tinubu and KOH.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for the women leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the success of the APC and to strengthening the party’s presence at the grassroots.

The participants expressed optimism about the 2027 campaign, pledging to remain united, strategic and committed to achieving the party’s objectives in Lagos State.

Oyetola Presents Three-Year Scorecard, Says Blue Economy Undergoing Far-Reaching Transformation

MINISTER OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY, DR. ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA

Biai Akingbade

... Sector revenues surge 160% to ₦1.83 trillion as Nigeria adopts first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, says Nigeria’s maritime sector has undergone a far-reaching transformation in the three years since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in August 2023.

Oyetola said the Ministry had moved swiftly to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline and extensive inland waterways, positioning the marine and blue economy as a major driver of revenue, trade, security and job creation.

In the press release issued by the Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Bolaji Akinola,  indicated that the Minister while presenting the Ministry’s three-year scorecard, said the reform programme had delivered measurable gains across revenue generation, port infrastructure, maritime security, regulation, indigenous shipping, human-capital development, fisheries and inland-waterway safety.

“At the heart of our mandate is a simple but powerful objective: to turn Nigeria’s vast marine resources into sustainable economic value for Nigerians,” Oyetola said.

According to the Minister, one of the clearest indicators of the progress recorded is the unprecedented growth in revenues generated by agencies under the Ministry.

The agencies generated ₦1.83 trillion in 2025, representing a 160 per cent increase over the ₦700.79 billion recorded in 2023.

Oyetola attributed the growth to regulatory reforms, stronger revenue assurance, digitisation and the systematic closure of financial leakages.

He said the improvement in revenue performance was part of a broader effort to build a more transparent, efficient and investment-friendly maritime economy.

A New Policy Framework for the Blue Economy

A major milestone in the reform programme was the approval, in May 2025, of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. 

Oyetola said the policy marked an important departure from the fragmented approach that had characterised the management of Nigeria’s maritime resources over the years by establishing a unified framework for shipping, fisheries, offshore energy, marine biotechnology and other emerging opportunities.

“This policy gives us a clear roadmap. It provides the predictability and transparency investors need while ensuring that our marine resources are developed sustainably,” he said.

The Minister said the policy was designed to guide government intervention and provide greater certainty for private-sector investment across the marine and blue economy value chain. 

Modernising Nigeria’s Ports

The Minister said port modernisation has remained at the centre of the Ministry’s transformation agenda.

According to him, the Federal Government had embarked on a comprehensive programme to upgrade Nigeria’s major seaports, covering Apapa, Tin Can Island, Onne, Rivers, Calabar and Warri.

The programme includes channel improvements, modern cargo-handling infrastructure and increased digitisation of terminal operations, with the objective of improving efficiency and positioning Nigerian ports to handle larger volumes of international trade.

The reforms have also attracted international recognition.

The World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence ranked Tin Can Island Port 10th and the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, 12th among the world’s 20 most improved container ports between 2020 and 2025.

Oyetola said the Government had also made significant progress in addressing the long-standing congestion around the Apapa port environment through the electronic truck call-up system, dedicated holding bays and expanded inland barging.

The acquisition of modern tugboats, pilot cutters and dredging equipment by the Nigerian Ports Authority, he added, had further strengthened port operations.

“We have moved from managing congestion to building a port system that can compete globally,” Oyetola said.

He said the Federal Government is also pursuing a broader expansion of port capacity through deep-seaport projects in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo, Lagos and Rivers states.

The Minister also said that the operationalisation of Inland Dry Ports, including the Funtua Inland Dry Port in Katsina State, is similarly intended to bring cargo-handling and clearance services closer to businesses in the hinterland and reduce the pressure on coastal gateways. 

Strengthening Regulation and Protecting Port Users 

Oyetola said regulatory reforms had also produced tangible benefits for businesses operating within the maritime sector.

The new Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Authority (NPERA) framework, he said, will strengthen economic regulation of the port sector, while interventions through the Ministry and its agencies had saved port users more than ₦86 billion in unjustified demurrage.

He also said that nearly 300 commercial disputes have also been resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

Oyetola said the Ministry has further introduced measures aimed at eliminating unauthorised shipping charges and strengthening freight and foreign-exchange verification in an effort to reduce leakages and curb capital flight.

He said the reforms were intended to create a maritime business environment in which legitimate operators could compete on a level playing field while protecting Nigerian businesses from avoidable costs.

Maritime Security Gains

The improvement in port efficiency has been accompanied by progress in maritime security.

Nigeria, according to Oyetola, has maintained zero piracy in its territorial waters for four consecutive years, supported by maritime security assets procured and deployed under the Deep Blue Project.

He said the achievement had helped eliminate costly piracy-related surcharges on vessels calling at Nigerian ports while reinforcing the country’s reputation as a safer maritime corridor.

The Minister said the security gains had also strengthened Nigeria’s standing within the international maritime community.

In November 2025, Nigeria regained its seat on the International Maritime Organization’s Category C Council after a 14-year absence.

Through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria also secured the lifting of the 12-year United States Coast Guard Condition of Entry restrictions affecting vessels arriving from Nigerian ports.

“These achievements demonstrate that Nigeria is not only reforming its maritime sector at home; we are reclaiming our rightful voice and influence internationally,” Oyetola said. 

Expanding Indigenous Participation

Oyetola also said that the Ministry remains committed to prioritising the development of indigenous shipping capacity.

He said plans are at an advanced stage to revive a national shipping carrier through a public-private partnership, while the long-awaited process for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) has commenced to enable Nigerian shipowners to acquire modern vessels.

“We cannot build a truly blue economy if Nigerians remain spectators in their own maritime industry,” he said.

He said human capital development has similarly received increased attention.

The Minister said seafarer training and sea-time placements have expanded opportunities for Nigerians seeking careers in the maritime industry. 

Oyetola said the interventions had contributed to an increase of more than 80 per cent in average seafarer earnings. 

He said the Ministry, through the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency, also facilitated a ₦200,000 monthly minimum wage for maritime and shipping workers. 

Taking the Blue Economy Beyond the Ports

The Ministry’s agenda extends beyond shipping and port operations to fisheries, inland waterways, marine safety and environmental sustainability.

Oyetola said the Ministry supported the Federal Government’s Naira-for-Crude policy by streamlining marine logistics for domestic refineries.

On inland waterways, safety interventions have included the distribution of thousands of lifejackets and plans to replace unsafe wooden boats with modern fibreglass vessels.

The fisheries sector has also recorded growth, with fish production reaching 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025, according to the Minister.

Nigeria also achieved 100 per cent compliance with Turtle Excluder Device requirements among inspected commercial shrimp trawlers, helping to safeguard marine biodiversity and protect access to international markets.

The measures, Oyetola said, reflect the Ministry’s broader approach of treating economic development and environmental sustainability as complementary objectives. 

Digitising the Sector and Unlocking New Institutions

Institutional reform has also formed part of the Ministry’s three-year programme.

The Ministry has digitised its internal operations through an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) as part of efforts to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability, according to the Minister. 

Oyetola also said the Ministry helped resolve a 16-year impasse that paved the way for the operationalisation of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB) in Nigeria.

The development, he said, would strengthen access to financing for projects and businesses across the maritime value chain.

Foundation for the Next Phase

For Oyetola, the achievements recorded over the past three years represent the foundation for a much larger economic opportunity.

The objective, he said, is to build a maritime ecosystem in which efficient ports support trade, stronger security attracts shipping, Nigerian businesses capture a greater share of the maritime value chain, coastal and inland communities benefit from new economic opportunities, and marine resources are developed sustainably.

He said the combination of rising revenues, a new national policy framework, port modernisation, stronger maritime security, improved regulation, investments in human capital and renewed international engagement had placed Nigeria’s marine and blue economy on a stronger trajectory.

“The blue economy is no longer an untapped frontier. It is becoming a major engine of national prosperity, regional competitiveness and sustainable growth,” Oyetola said.

Oyetola Moves to Boost Nigeria’s Fish Production, Inaugurates Technical Committee

*CAPTION* 

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola (middle) with members of the Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria during the inauguration of the committer in Abuja on Thursday.

... Says recommendations must be realistic, evidence-based and financially responsible, while delivering tangible gains in fish production, job creation and food security.

Bisi Akingbade 

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has moved to translate recommendations on boosting fish production in Nigeria into concrete action, with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, inaugurating a technical committee to drive implementation.

Oyetola, who inaugurated the "Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria" in Abuja on Thursday, said the initiative was aimed at moving beyond policy recommendations to coordinated action capable of delivering measurable improvements in the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

He said fish remained a critical source of animal protein for millions of Nigerians, while the fisheries and aquaculture value chain provided livelihoods through production, processing, marketing, transportation and other related services.

"Fish is an important source of animal protein for millions of Nigerians. The fisheries and aquaculture sector sustains livelihoods across production, processing, marketing, transportation and related services. However, domestic production remains substantially below national demand, with consequences for food security, household incomes and foreign-exchange resources," he said. 

Oyetola identified high production costs, particularly the cost of feed, inadequate access to quality fish seed and broodstock, weak fish-health and biosecurity systems, post-harvest losses and insufficient cold-chain and storage infrastructure among the major challenges confronting the sector.

He also cited limited access to affordable finance, gaps in research and innovation, weak data systems, as well as inadequate standards, traceability and market development as constraints that must be urgently addressed.

According to the Minister, "The transfer of fisheries and aquaculture functions to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has provided a stronger institutional platform for addressing these challenges as part of Nigeria’s broader blue-economy development." 

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to increasing sustainable domestic fish production, strengthening the fisheries value chain and progressively reducing Nigeria’s dependence on fish imports.

The Minister recalled that the ministry, in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), convened a strategic roundtable on October 29, 2025 on accelerating fish production in Nigeria, which produced recommendations aimed at addressing production and value-chain constraints. 

He said the newly inaugurated committee had been constituted to rigorously assess those recommendations and turn validated proposals into a practical, prioritised implementation roadmap.

“Your assignment is not to develop another policy or establish a parallel programme,” Oyetola told members of the committee, stressing that the report of the roundtable must be assessed against the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, relevant laws, existing government programmes and the statutory mandates of relevant institutions.

He charged the committee to scrutinise every recommendation and determine whether it should be adopted, refined, integrated into existing frameworks, subjected to further study or set aside as unviable.

The committee is also expected to map existing initiatives across the public, private and development sectors to strengthen proven strategies and prevent duplication in the deployment of scarce resources. 

"Your final output should include a clear implementation roadmap and matrix setting out the priority interventions, responsible institutions, timelines, indicative costs, funding options, performance indicators and required approvals. It should also identify credible opportunities for private-sector investment, public-private partnerships, development finance and other sustainable funding arrangements," he said. 

The minister urged members of the technical committee, drawn from government, academia, professional bodies, research institutions and industry, to approach the assignment with urgency, objectivity and a strong focus on results.

He said their recommendations must be realistic, evidence-based and financially responsible, while delivering tangible gains in fish production, job creation and food security.

Oyetola assured the committee of the ministry’s institutional support and expressed confidence that its work would provide a practical pathway for accelerating growth in Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. 

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman of the committee, Mrs Fatima Sugra Mahmood, assured that the committee would approach its mandate with a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring that the recommendations of the roundtable would be thoroughly reviewed and translated into practical interventions capable of delivering measurable results.

She said the committee would work closely with relevant government institutions, researchers, industry stakeholders and development partners to identify priority actions, address existing gaps and develop a realistic implementation roadmap to accelerate sustainable fish production, strengthen the fisheries value chain and contribute to Nigeria’s food security and economic development.

A member of the committee, Prof Akintola Shehu Latunji, Professor of Fisheries at Lagos State University, who spoke on behalf of other members, thanked the Minister for inaugurating the committee. He said the committee would work with relevant stakeholders to deliver its mandate and catalyse fish production across the country. 

Members of the committee include the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Sugra Mahmood, who serves as Chairman; Mr. Omoragbon Wellington, Director, Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Abuja; Mr. Garba Usman, Director, Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Lagos Office; Prof Ayo Omotayo, Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies; Prof Sule Abiodun, Executive Director, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research; Prof Akintola Shehu Latunji of Lagos State University; and Prof Sadiku Suleiman Omeiza of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Others are Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy; Dr. Charles Okaga, Technical Assistant to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, President, Fisheries Society of Nigeria; Mr. Onoja Sunday, President, Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria; Mr. Mashi Gabriel Sani, President, Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria; Mr. Remi Ahmed, President, Tilapia Development Association of Nigeria; and Dr. Charles Iyangbe, Country Representative, WorldFish Nigeria.

The committee has eight weeks to submit its report. 

NIMASA STRENGTHENS ENFORCEMENT OF CABOTAGE COMPLIANCE

Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA,  has announced enhanced enforcement of the statutory requirements for indigenous participation in Nigeria’s Cabotage trade and maritime activities.

This disclosure was contained in a marine notice issued pursuant to the Agency’s statutory mandate of implementing applicable laws including the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, in addition to the Cabotage regulations and implementing guidelines.

Under the enhanced enforcement regime, all persons and entities requiring vessels for Cabotage operations are required to use vessels that meet applicable Nigerian ownership, registration, manning and construction requirements and are duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage.

The Agency further requires all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders engaged in Cabotage activities to maintain valid statutory certificates, licenses, registrations and other required documentation.

According to the press release issued by the Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, FNIPR, indicated that Cabotage vessels must, as applicable, be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, duly registered in the relevant Special Register, manned by Nigerian citizens and built in Nigeria. Deployment of vessels that do not meet these requirements may only be considered where the requisite Nigerian capacity is unavailable and the statutory conditions have been established and verified by NIMASA.

The Agency will continue to monitor compliance with the Cabotage Act, its regulations and applicable guidelines, in a bid to entrench maritime governance and ensure that jobs meant for Nigerians are not outsourced.

The Marine Notice, which takes immediate effect further reinforces NIMASA’s commitment to promoting indigenous participation in local and international shipping trade, developing local maritime capacity and ensuring that Cabotage operations contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s maritime and economic development.

Customs Partners WCO, UK International Development on Corruption Risk Mapping, SOPs

Customs Partners WCO, UK International Development on Corruption Risk Mapping, SOPs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Kingdom International Development, is strengthening its internal anti-corruption framework through a workshop focused on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

During the closing ceremony on Friday 21 August 2026 at NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, said the mission under the WCO is an important step in strengthening institutional growth, integrity, and corruption risk management. He further stated that the exercise has nothing to do with fault-finding or apportioning blame; rather, it allowed the system to look at itself, identify weaknesses, and develop sustainable solutions. 

According to the CGC, the assessment was designed to cover key Customs processes, including regulatory and administrative procedures, clearance processes, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement and human resource management. "The purpose of what we have therefore been doing with our partners was to identify such areas of vulnerabilities, assess the associated risk and develop practical measures to mitigate them," he stated.

The CGC affirmed that the Service will continue to support measures that strengthen transparency, accountability, internal controls, process simplification, and the use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion. "A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence," he noted.

The World Customs Organisation Lead Technical Expert, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, while commending the CGC for its continued support, urged the working group to champion endorsement of the workshop outcomes, which include a comprehensive action plan outlining clear steps to advance trade facilitation and strengthen the anti-corruption agenda.

Also speaking, David Tanenbaum, the WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, outlined achievements in AEO, post-clearance audit, and the time-release study, noting that integrity does not exist in a vacuum. 

He said the achievements demonstrate that the partnership is delivering tangible institutional and operational results. "Our work continues to bring us closer to a systematic, preventive approach to identifying and managing corruption risks within customs operations," he said.

LILYPOND EXPORT COMMAND LEADERSHIP TRANSITION: DEPUTY COMPT. SALAKO ASSUMES DUTY AS ACTING CAC

LILYPOND EXPORT COMMAND LEADERSHIP TRANSITION: DEPUTY COMPT. SALAKO ASSUMES DUTY AS ACTING CAC 

Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Lilypond Export Command, has witnessed a formal leadership transition following the retirement of the outgoing Customs Area Controller, CAC,  Comptroller Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi, who handed over the affairs of the Command to Deputy Comptroller Olusola O. Salako, who assumes duty as the Acting Customs Area Controller. The handing-over and taking-over ceremony was conducted in accordance with the established administrative procedures of the Service.

In his remarks, the outgoing CAC, Comptroller S.O. Ariyibi, expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the management of the Nigeria Customs Service, officers and men of the Command, and critical stakeholders for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure. He attributed the achievements recorded by the Command to teamwork, professionalism, discipline, dedication and effective collaboration among officers and stakeholders.

Comptroller Ariyibi, who bows out of the Service after a distinguished and meritorious career, urged officers and men of the Command to extend the same spirit of cooperation and commitment to the incoming Acting CAC. He encouraged them to sustain the operational standards and gains recorded during his tenure, while expressing confidence in the ability of the new leadership to build on the existing foundation and further advance the mandate of Lilypond Export Command.

According to the press release issued by the Assistant Superintendent of Customs Command Public Relations Officer,  Lilypond Export Command, B OLUSOLA-OKE, stated that the incoming Acting CAC, Deputy Comptroller Olusola O. Salako, commended Comptroller Ariyibi for his dedicated and meritorious service to the Nigeria Customs Service and his contributions to the growth and development of Lilypond Export Command. He pledged to provide purposeful, responsive and professional leadership while advancing the core mandates of the Service, particularly in trade facilitation, regulatory compliance, anti-smuggling operations and effective stakeholder engagement.

Deputy Comptroller Salako called for the continued cooperation, discipline and professionalism of all officers and men of the Command, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in achieving the mandate of the Service and the strategic objectives of Lilypond Export Command. He also solicited the continued support and cooperation of stakeholders towards strengthening the Command's operational effectiveness and contribution to national economic development.

The handing-over and taking-over exercise formally marks the conclusion of Comptroller S.O. Ariyibi's tenure as Customs Area Controller, Lilypond Export Command, following his retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service, and the assumption of duty by Deputy Comptroller O.O. Salako as Acting Customs Area Controller. The officers and men of the Command appreciate Comptroller Ariyibi for his distinguished, dedicated and meritorious service to the Service and the nation, and wish him a fulfilling and successful retirement. The Command also welcomes the Acting CAC and wishes him a successful and impactful tenure.

TAG Alliance Invests Otunba Ademola Popoola as Patron, Reaffirms Support for KOH Campaign

Bisi Akingbade 

The Action Grassroots Alliance (TAG), a structured grassroots support movement committed to supporting credible candidates for leadership at the state and federal levels, has invested Otunba Ademola Popoola as its Patron.

Popoola, who serves as Campaign Director/Key Campaign Official of the Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (KOH) Governorship Campaign Organisation headed by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was honoured at an investiture ceremony attended by members and supporters of the alliance.

Speaking after his investiture, Otunba Popoola, who hails from Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, expressed appreciation to Almighty God and dedicated the honour to God and the entire KOH team, whom he described as a family.

In his acceptance speech, Popoola emphasised the importance of dedication and loyalty, noting that his commitment throughout his political journey has been to Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

He described Hamzat as “a perfect gentleman, a man of God and a family man,” adding that the Lagos State political leader does not discriminate between Christians and Muslims.

Popoola also commended the Director-General of TAG Alliance, Ambassador (Dr.) Adegbenro Salewa Abisoye, for her leadership and commitment to grassroots mobilisation.

He further announced that TAG Alliance had been recognised by the Lagos State governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and accepted into the KOH campaign organisation.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director-General of TAG Alliance, Ambassador (Dr.) Adegbenro Salewa Abisoye, explained why Otunba Popoola was chosen as the Patron of the organisation.

“It is with great honour, immense joy and a deep sense of responsibility that I, Ambassador Dr. Adegbenro Salewa Abisoye, Director-General, TAG Alliance, welcome everyone to this very special and historic occasion.

“On behalf of the entire leadership and membership of TAG Alliance, I sincerely welcome and appreciate our distinguished dignitaries, special guests, leaders, supporters and friends who have taken the time to join us today.

“We also wish to express our profound appreciation to our new Patron, Otunba Ademola Popoola. Sir, we are deeply honoured by your acceptance to become the Patron of TAG Alliance.

“Your presence, experience, wisdom and leadership will be of great value to the growth and development of this movement. We see your acceptance not merely as an honour bestowed upon you, but as a partnership that will help us build a stronger, more united and more effective grassroots movement,” she said.

Abisoye described TAG Alliance as more than a conventional support group, stressing that it is a formidable, structured and purpose-driven grassroots movement committed to making a lasting impact.

She said the organisation had established a functional structure across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of Lagos State, with leadership representation and coordination at the grassroots.

According to her, the structure comprises General Coordinators, Assistant Coordinators, Secretaries, Treasurers, Public Relations Officers, Women Leaders, Youth Leaders, Media Teams, Grassroots Mobilisation Teams and other key officers.

The Director-General said TAG Alliance’s vision goes beyond a single election or political office, noting that the organisation is positioned to support and mobilise for APC candidates at various levels of government.

“TAG Alliance is positioned to support and mobilise for APC candidates across all levels—from the Presidency to the Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and down to Local Government Council Chairmanship and Councillorship,” she said.

The investiture was described by the leadership of TAG Alliance as a significant step towards strengthening its grassroots structure and deepening its collaboration with the KOH campaign organisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

DCG Tijjani Abe Takes a Bow After 35 Years of Meritorious Service

DCG Tijjani Abe Takes a Bow After 35 Years of Meritorious Service

... As CGC hails Abe's Integrity

Bisi Akingbade 

Members of the Nigeria Customs Service Management Team gathered at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on 19 August 2026 to honour the retirement of DCG Tijanni Abe, the Deputy Comptroller-General, DCG, in charge of Human Resource and Development, marking the close of 35 years of meritorious service to the nation.

Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, led the tributes, describing DCG Abe as a man whose career was anchored in faith, calm, and unwavering integrity. He noted that DCG Abe was known throughout the Service for his habit of expressing gratitude. A quality, the CGC said, speaks volumes about the kind of man he is.

"You are a man of integrity and integrity pays. May God increase you in wisdom and happiness, and may your years ahead be even more pleasurable. We are all very proud of you, and we wish you well," he said, adding that the bonds forged within the Service do not end at retirement.

Senior officers who took the floor painted a consistent picture, describing him as a leader defined not by the authority of his rank but by the warmth of his character. Courage, humility, sacrifice, and kindness surfaced repeatedly as colleagues reflected on their years of service alongside him. For many in the room, DCG Abe was more than a senior officer; he was a mentor whose example quietly shaped the officers around him.

DCG Tijanni Abe responded to the tributes with the same grace that has marked his career. He first thanked the Almighty, then the Comptroller-General, and finally his colleagues on the management team, expressing deep gratitude for their belief in his abilities over three and a half decades of service.

Fight Against Arms Proliferation: NCCSALW, NCS Strengthens Partnership

Fight Against Arms Proliferation: NCCSALW, NCS Strengthens Partnership

Bisi Akingbade 

The Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW),  Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni, PhD, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service,  NCS, for its unwavering commitment to combating the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. 

The commendation was made during a courtesy visit by the Director General and his delegation to the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, at the Command Headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

Speaking during the visit, DIG (Rtd.) Kokumo acknowledged the strategic role of the Nigeria Customs Service in securing the nation's borders and preventing the illegal movement of arms, ammunition, and other prohibited items. He noted that the Service remains a critical stakeholder in Nigeria's security architecture and a dependable partner in the fight against transnational crimes.

The Director General emphasized the importance of enhanced inter agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, capacity building, and joint operations in addressing the growing threats posed by the illicit circulation of weapons.

 According to him, effective collaboration among security agencies remains indispensable to safeguarding lives and property, protecting national assets, and maintaining peace and stability across the country. DIG (Rtd.) Kokumo also expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his unwavering support and commitment to inter agency collaboration in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. He commended the CGC's leadership in fostering synergy among security and law enforcement agencies, noting that the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to demonstrate professionalism, dedication, and strategic cooperation in advancing national security objectives.

Furthermore, the NCCSALW boss assured the Command of the Centre's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service through sustained collaboration, intelligence driven operations, information sharing, and other joint initiatives aimed at preventing the illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition across the nation's borders.

According to the press release issued by the ASC I A.A. Zakariya, anipr

Command Public Relations Officer, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Minna, highlighted that the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, in his remarks appreciated the Director General and his delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Command's readiness to collaborate with the National Centre in promoting national security. He reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service's commitment to enforcing government policies, protecting the nation's borders, and supporting all lawful initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit weapons.

Comptroller Umar further stressed that the Niger/Kogi Area Command would continue to strengthen its operational strategies, enhance intelligence gathering mechanisms, and maintain effective synergy with relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies to ensure efficient border management and national security. The Customs Area Controller also conveyed the appreciation of the officers and men of the Command to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his visionary leadership, unwavering support, and continuous efforts in repositioning the Service for greater efficiency, professionalism, and collaboration with sister agencies in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.

The visit provided an opportunity for both organizations to discuss areas of mutual interest and explore practical measures for deepening cooperation in intelligence gathering, information sharing, capacity development, and coordinated enforcement activities.

The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Nigeria Customs Service to work closely towards achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria through effective arms control, strengthened border security, and sustained inter-agency collaboration.