Herald News

Victoria Silvanus A new chapter has begun at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, following the retirement of Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi and the appointment of Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Olusola Salako as the Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC). The leadership transition was formally conducted during a handing-over ceremony held at the Command on Monday, in line with the administrative procedures of the Nigeria Customs Service. A statement issued by the Command's Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Bukola Olusola-Oke, said the ceremony marked the end of Ariyibi’s tenure and the commencement of Salako’s leadership of the export-focused command. Addressing officers and stakeholders at the event, Ariyibi expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the management of the Service, officers and men of the Command, and stakeholders for their support and cooperation th...

F Victoria Silvanus The two-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference of the League of Maritime Editors ended on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with Felix Kumuyi emerging as the new President of the association. The conference, held at BWC Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together maritime journalists, regulators, port operators, government representatives and other stakeholders to deliberate on the imbalance in cargo vessel calls between Lagos and the Eastern ports. The event was chaired by Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, while the election of new executives was conducted at Virgin Rose Resort ahead of the final day of the conference. The conference had as its theme: “Lagos/Eastern Ports: How to Reverse Existing Imbalance in Disproportionate Cargo Calls.” In her welcome address, the immediate past President of the League, Pastor (Mrs.) Remi Itie, described journalists as agenda setters with a critical responsibility to inform, educate and enlighten the publ...

Victoria Silvanus The Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has recorded its highest-ever daily revenue collection, generating ₦28.1 billion within 24 hours and further strengthening the Federal Government's revenue drive for national development. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, disclosed that the Command collected a total of ₦28,102,000,914.61 on August 18, 2026, surpassing its previous single-day revenue record of ₦20.1 billion achieved in September 2025. The latest feat comes just weeks after the Command posted a historic monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, underscoring the impact of ongoing reforms, improved compliance, enhanced trade facilitation measures, intelligence-driven operations and the growing efficiency of digital customs processes. Speaking on the achievement, Comptroller Oshoba said the milestone was not merely about breaking records but about the Customs Service's co...

Victoria Silvanus Nigeria’s port sector has entered a new regulatory era following the formal transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) into the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), a development expected to reshape the governance and economic oversight of the nation’s ports.  The transition follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, which establishes NPERA as the statutory authority responsible for the economic regulation of ports and related services across the country. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the NPERA Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, described the development as a landmark institutional reform designed to create a more transparent, predictable and competitive port environment. According to him, the agency will oversee the economic regulation of port services and related activities, including tariff administration, licensing, service standards,...

Victoria Silvanus The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, ending a 12-year maritime security restriction and marking a major boost for Nigeria’s shipping and port industry. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development, describing it as a significant achievement that reflects Nigeria’s improved maritime security framework and compliance with international standards. The Condition of Entry, which took effect on June 25, 2014, required vessels bound for the United States that had previously called at designated Nigerian ports to comply with additional security measures and undergo enhanced scrutiny before entering U.S. waters. According to Oyetola, the removal of the restriction follows years of sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and o...

Victoria Silvanus The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has led the handover of 399 pump-action rifles and component parts to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, as well as cannabis-infused products valued at ₦373.8 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service's commitment to national security and the fight against illicit trafficking. The handover ceremony brought together senior customs officers, representatives of security agencies and members of the media, highlighting the growing collaboration among law enforcement institutions in tackling transnational crimes and safeguarding the nation. Speaking at the event, Adeniyi described the exercise as a demonstration of the Service's determination to protect Nigeria's borders and support the Federal Government's efforts to combat the illegal trafficking of arms, ammunition and narcotics. He explained ...