Nigeria’s Port Security Among Best Globally – US Coast Guard Commends NIMASA

…We Will Sustain Momentum – NIMASA DG

R-L: Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; United States Coast Guard (USCG) ISPS, Team Lead, Joe Price Larson; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; USCG, Europe/Africa Liaison to Nigeria, Eric Hatfield and USCG ISPS Reporting Officer, Hyo Jun Cho during a visit by the United States Coast Guard to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.

Nigeria has made significant strides in port security compliance, earning commendation from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for its substantial progress in implementing the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

During a working tour of several port terminals and facilities across Nigeria, Joe Prince Larson, leader of the USCG International Port Security Programme team, acknowledged the country’s remarkable compliance with global maritime security standards. The assessment, which covered the Dangote Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Matrix, and Julius Berger-operated ports in Warri, Delta State, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices.

Presenting the interim assessment report to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Larson stated that Nigeria’s compliance level ranks among the best globally. He noted that the delegation observed a deep understanding of the ISPS Code’s implementation across the inspected facilities.

“We had the pleasure of visiting Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri before proceeding to Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Port in Lagos. The overall assessment was very positive. Nigeria’s compliance level is comparable to that of some of the best maritime nations globally. We will report our findings to the US Coast Guard headquarters accordingly,” Larson affirmed.

NIMASA DG Reaffirms Commitment to Sustained Progress

Reacting to the commendation, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized the agency’s dedication to maintaining and exceeding current security standards. He highlighted the positive impact of Nigeria’s compliance on its international reputation and assured stakeholders of continued efforts to enhance the sector.

“I must express my happiness at the positive feedback from the USCG delegation. This serves as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the maritime sector and the agency’s relentless efforts under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Adegboyega Oyetola, CON. We will continue working to ensure that international standards in port security are strictly adhered to,” Mobereola stated.

The US Coast Guard and NIMASA have been engaged in ongoing assessments as part of a three-year plan to evaluate and enhance Nigeria’s ISPS Code compliance. These evaluations aim to provide actionable insights that could eventually lead to the removal of the Condition of Entry (CoE) placed on vessels departing Nigerian ports for the United States.

With this recognition, Nigeria’s ports are positioning themselves as globally competitive and secure maritime hubs, reinforcing confidence among international shipping operators and investors.

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