WAF Shipping Focus: Week 29
- Agwe Logistics Solutions
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Africa and Nigeria’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is taking another major step in
the expansion of his industrial empire with plans to construct a deep seaport
near his existing fertiliser and oil refinery plants. The initiative is aimed at
boos<ng export capacity and strengthening the Dangote Group’s logistics
operations. Speaking in a recent interview in Lagos, Dangote confirmed that his
group submitted formal paperwork in late June to kickstart construction on
what he described as “the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria.” The planned
Atlantic seaport will be located in Olokola, Ogun State, approximately 100
kilometres (62 miles) from the group’s massive fertiliser and petrochemical
facilities in Lagos, according to Bloomberg. Currently, the Dangote Group
exports fertiliser and urea through a private jetty built near its refinery site. This
jetty also serves as the landing point for heavy industrial equipment.
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In its continued efforts to promote efficient cross-border trade and foster
inter-agency collaboration, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, recently paid
a working visit to the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Command at Idiroko
Border, Ogun State. The visit was led by Ms. Adaora Nwonu, Deputy Director,
Trade Services, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr.
Pius Akutah. She was received by Comptroller G. Otunla, Area Comptroller of
the Nigeria Customs Service at the Idiroko Command. The engagement
focused on strengthening operational ties, identifying joint strategies to
address barriers to trade, and reinforcing ethical practices along the corridor.
Discussions also explored the role of both agencies in streamlining border
processes and supporting the Federal Government’s goal of boosting regional
commerce. Ms. Nwonu reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to enhancing
collaboration with the Customs Service to advance cross-border trade
facilitation and promote economic development.
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In a bid to safeguard the interests of truckers and the haulage sector in Nigeria,
the Association of Mari<me Truck Owners (AMATO) has called for an
amendment to the ‘Means of Conveyance’ clause in the Nigeria Customs
Service Act, describing the provision as punitive and detrimental to their
operations. While commending the enforcement of Customs regulations,
Adeshina Ajibola, Head of Research at the Association of Maritime Truck
Owners (AMATO), noted that the Act highlights a longstanding issue in Nigeria’s
maritime logistics sector. He stated that the unfair application of the “Means of
Conveyance” clause in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 disproportionately
impacts AMATO members. This clause according to Ajibola allows the Nigeria
Customs Service to confiscate both contraband goods and the trucks used to
transport them, even when truckers, as third parties, are neither privy to nor
legally empowered to inspect container contents in the ports.
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Nigeria has reaffirmed its determination to reclaim a Category C seat on the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council — a position it last held in
2009 — by presenting its maritime strengths and investment opportunities at a
high-level global forum. At the Maritime and Aviation Symposium held in
Singapore on 14 July 2025, Nigeria highlighted its readiness to modernise
maritime infrastructure and advance sustainable development in the sector.
Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,
the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola
Oyebamiji, addressed the international audience, underscoring the country’s
commitment to becoming a key player in global maritime governance.
Oyebamiji emphasised the strategic value of Nigeria’s extensive maritime
resources, stating that regaining the IMO seat would strengthen the nation’s
ability to influence international maritime policies and better represent the
interests of the West African sub-region. “The IMO seat will empower Nigeria
to influence the global maritime ecosystem and position the country…..
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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in its role
as the Designated Authority for implementing the International Ship and Port
Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria, has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK
Terminals, both located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos. At a time when we are
collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lil the conditions of entry
on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardise the ISPS Code,
despite several formal warnings. The move aligns with global best practices and
is in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations
(2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for
over three calendar months. Speaking on the development, the Director
General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the Agency’s
commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain. “In wielding the big
stick, we acted only as a last resort,” he said. “Our primary goal is to enforce
safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties.
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The Lagos State Government and other stakeholders have agreed on an
enforcement fee of N10,000 for electronic call-up for trucks on the Lekki-Epe
corridor. The outcome of the meeting held at Dangote Oil Refining Ltd. was
communicated in a communique obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
in Lagos. The communique was signed by Mr Seun Osiyemi, Commissioner,
Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State Government; Mr Williams Akporcha
President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Worker (NUPENG);
Alhaji Yusuf Othman, President, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners
(NARTO); Alhaji Hammed Fasola, President, Independent Petroleum Marketers
Association of Nigeria( IPMAN). The development confirms Shipping Position
Daily exclusive story of July 14, where it was reported that, after months of
tension, negotiations, and back-and-forth over pricing, all appears set for the
long-awaited enforcement of the electronic call-up system for trucks and
tankers accessing Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) via the Lekki-Epe corridor.
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