Herald News

Victoria Silvanus The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR Ph. has called for deeper integration between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, stating that the Sèmè–Kraké Joint Border Post cannot operate effectively until both countries are connected through an integrated customs system. Speaking during the assessment and commissioning of the Joint Border Post on Friday, Adeniyi said Nigeria and Benin share longstanding economic, cultural and social ties, adding that border procedures should reflect the close relationship between the two neighbouring countries. “Nigeria and Benin have been one economic space for as long as there has been commerce on this coast. The border runs through families, markets and languages that were never divided by it,” he said. The Comptroller-General noted that the Sèmè–Kraké crossing is one of Africa’s busiest border corridors, handling a significant volume of trade along th...

Victoria Silvanus The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 13 containers loaded with cannabis, codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones, expired pharmaceuticals and other prohibited items at the Apapa Port, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦43.59 billion. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Apapa Area Command on Friday, describing the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service's ongoing efforts to combat smuggling, protect public health and safeguard national security. Adeniyi said the seizures were the outcome of sustained intelligence-led operations and strengthened collaboration between Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NAFDAC, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international security partners. According to him, the intercepted consignments fall into three major categories: narcotics and controlled pharmaceuticals, security-sensitive equip...

Victoria Silvanus  The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has sought strategic collaboration with Danish maritime institutions to strengthen port economic regulation, enhance trade facilitation, and improve institutional capacity in Nigeria's maritime sector. The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NPERA, Dr. Akutah Pius, made the call during a meeting with Danish Maritime (Danske Maritime) in Copenhagen as part of engagements by the Nigerian delegation currently on an official visit to Denmark. Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Akutah said the Federal Government's ongoing economic reforms have placed greater emphasis on trade and the marine and blue economy as critical drivers of economic diversification and sustainable growth. According to him, Nigeria is working to strengthen the institutional and regulatory frameworks needed to create a transparent, fair and competitive business environment for operators in the maritime sector. ...

Victoria Silvanus The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards the development of the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APM Terminals in Denmark. The agreement was signed during an official visit by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, was also part of the delegation that witnessed the signing of the MoU. The proposed Badagry Deep Seaport is expected to enhance Nigeria’s port capacity, improve trade facilitation, and position the country as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa. According to officials, the agreement underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding and modernizing the nation’s port infrastructure in line with the objectives of the Marine and Blue Economy sector. The partnership with APM Terminals, one of the world...

Victoria Silvanus The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has urged staff of the agency to consolidate on the achievements recorded in recent years and intensify efforts towards advancing Nigeria's maritime sector. Mobereola gave the charge during a two-day Senior Management Strategy Session on the NIMASA Medium-Term Strategic Plan (September 2025 – August 2028), held at the Nigeria Maritime Resource Development Centre, Apapa, Lagos. According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, the DG highlighted several milestones achieved under the supervision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, including four consecutive years without piracy incidents in Nigerian waters, Nigeria's successful election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years, and the recent lifting of the 1...

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...