By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector are witnessing renewed momentum in port security compliance as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), with technical backing from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), intensifies efforts to align the nation’s port facilities with global standards.
This comes as a high-level USCG delegation, led by the Chief of International Port Security Operations, Bryan Ullmer, concluded a five-day assessment tour of major port installations in Lagos. Facilities inspected during the visit included terminals operated by Rano, PTML, Five Star Logistics, Standard Flour Mills, and the NNPC Jetty, all evaluated for compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).
Speaking at the end of the inspection, Ullmer acknowledged Nigeria’s steady progress in strengthening maritime security architecture, noting that years of collaboration between both countries are beginning to yield visible results.
According to him, the partnership—dating back to the Port and Coastal Security (PICOMSS) era—has evolved into a more structured engagement that is now delivering measurable improvements across critical port infrastructure.
“We have maintained a longstanding partnership with Nigeria, and what we are seeing today reflects meaningful progress. While gaps still exist, the improvements across the facilities visited are significant. We remain committed to supporting NIMASA in achieving full compliance with international maritime security standards,” Ullmer stated.
On the Nigerian side, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the agency’s determination to sustain the gains recorded while addressing outstanding deficiencies identified during the assessment.
Mobereola emphasized that full compliance with the ISPS Code remains a top priority, particularly as Nigeria seeks the removal of the “Condition of Entry” requirement imposed on Nigerian-bound vessels—a restriction that has long impacted the country’s maritime trade competitiveness.
“NIMASA remains fully committed to working closely with the United States Coast Guard to strengthen Nigeria’s port security framework. While notable progress has been achieved, we recognize that more work lies ahead. We will continue to engage proactively to ensure Nigeria meets and sustains global best practices,” he said.
He further noted that under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the agency is ramping up compliance enforcement across all port facilities nationwide.
Industry observers say the collaboration between NIMASA and the USCG is critical not only for enhancing maritime security but also for improving Nigeria’s global standing in shipping and logistics. Full compliance with the ISPS Code is expected to boost investor confidence, reduce trade bottlenecks, and position Nigerian ports more competitively within the global maritime ecosystem.
The ongoing engagement underscores Nigeria’s broader ambition to modernize its port operations, strengthen regulatory oversight, and integrate more effectively into international shipping networks through adherence to globally accepted security standards.
