Stakeholders from across Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors gathered on Tuesday for The League of Maritime Editors’ Seminar, a high-level forum aimed at dissecting the implications of Nigeria’s chairmanship of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council and its impact on the nation’s port economy.
Held in Lagos, the seminar drew prominent figures from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), among others. The event was chaired by retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Edike, a respected elder in the industry.
The lead paper, titled “Nigeria’s Championship of WCO Council: The Impact On Nation’s Economy”, was delivered by Mr. Francis Anieze-Chukwu on behalf of Fwdr. Eugene Nweke, Head of Research at SEREC. The presentation emphasized Nigeria’s strategic opportunity to shape global customs policy and trade facilitation frameworks.
Dr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, presented a paper on the role of strong legal frameworks in achieving effective port economic regulation.
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, addressed ongoing efforts to combat piracy in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, in his goodwill message, reminded participants that Nigeria’s global representation comes with both diplomacy and politics. He emphasized the centrality of Customs in border regulation and investment attraction, while calling for collective support to safeguard Nigeria’s reputation at the international stage.
Participants noted that Nigeria’s leadership at the WCO places the country at the forefront of global customs governance, demanding efficiency at seaports and airports and a renewed commitment to trade transparency. The seminar highlighted the importance of aligning domestic customs operations with international best practices, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Nigeria Customs Service was commended for recent reforms, including the implementation of Time Release Studies, Data Analytics, Advance Ruling Applications, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, and the B’Odogwu digital platform. However, concerns were raised about lingering challenges with the B’Odogwu migration system and the need for urgent improvements.
Stakeholders also called for the inclusion of customs and cargo handling studies in Nigeria’s educational curriculum to build future capacity in the sector.
Key Recommendations
The seminar concluded with a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s customs and maritime framework:
The seminar urged collaboration between Customs, NPA, Shippers’ Council, and otherq agencies to enhance data sharing and operational synergy.
Nigeria was called upon to lead continental efforts in harmonizing customs procedures and recognizing AEOs across Africa.
The seminar emphasized the need to rehabilitate roads leading to seaports to facilitate smoother cargo movement.
It advocated for the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill to institutionalize economic regulation.
It was recommended that Nigeria should leverage Nigeria’s WCO position to push for digital customs development and trans-border management. The seminar encouraged constructive journalism to support the CGC’s tenure and Nigeria’s global customs agenda. It also called for full implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention to enhance workforce conditions.
Despite progress in reducing piracy, participants stressed the need for sustained vigilance and enforcement to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In closing, the seminar underscored Nigeria’s responsibility to translate its international leadership into domestic reforms that promote transparency, compliance, and investment. With Nigeria at the helm of the WCO Council, stakeholders agreed that the country must set the benchmark for customs excellence across Africa.
The high point of the seminar was the conferment of awards on five industry leaders in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime growth: Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima; ACG Babatunde Olomu; Comptroller MS Shuaibu of FOU ‘A’; and Comptroller Frank Onyeka of Tin Can Island Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service.