By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, a development the Federal Government described as a major boost to the country’s maritime security profile and port competitiveness.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who announced the development on Tuesday, said the decision marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and improve its standing in the global shipping industry.
The Condition of Entry, which came into effect on June 25, 2014, subjected vessels destined for the United States that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering US waters.
According to Oyetola, the lifting of the restriction followed sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in collaboration with government agencies, port operators, terminal and facility operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
He said the coordinated efforts focused on addressing identified security gaps and demonstrating Nigeria’s sustained compliance with internationally accepted maritime security standards, particularly the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The Minister disclosed that the USCG conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities between 2024 and 2026.
The assessments were carried out from March 11–13 and April 15–19, 2024; March 15–21, 2025; and April 13–17, 2026.
He said the results demonstrated significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the ISPS Code, ultimately paving the way for the removal of the restriction.
Oyetola described the development as evidence of the impact of sustained regulatory oversight, institutional cooperation and investment in maritime security.
“The lifting of the Conditions of Entry is a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities,” Oyetola said.
He assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would sustain the momentum to ensure that Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.
The Minister also commended the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and his team for their contribution to the achievement, saying the development demonstrated the benefits of effective regulation, stakeholder collaboration and sustained investment in maritime security.
Beyond security, Oyetola said the lifting of the restriction could have significant economic implications for Nigerian ports and the wider maritime sector.
The development is expected to facilitate faster vessel turnaround, improve schedule reliability and reduce costs associated with additional documentation, inspections, security measures and entry-related procedures.
It could also enhance the attractiveness of Nigerian ports to international shipping lines, potentially stimulating increased vessel traffic, trade, investment, employment and port revenue.
For more than a decade, the CoE imposed additional security and operational requirements on vessels that had called at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States.
The measures increased compliance and operating costs for shipping companies and resulted in additional inspections and documentation, longer vessel turnaround times and higher freight and insurance costs.
They also fuelled concerns over the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and Nigeria’s image within the international shipping community.
With the lifting of the restriction, vessels calling at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States will no longer be subjected to the additional USCG security requirements imposed specifically under the CoE.
The development is therefore expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position in international shipping while easing some of the operational burdens that had affected vessels trading between both countries.
