Key points
- Veteran maritime journalists Timothy Okorocha and Francis Ugwoke will launch a book examining customs reforms and maritime sector development under President Bola Tinubu.
- The event will feature a seminar on the performance of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy since its establishment in 2023.
- Top maritime and customs officials are expected to present papers on achievements, challenges and future prospects in the sector.
Main story
Senior maritime journalists are set to unveil a book chronicling the transformation of Nigeria’s customs operations and maritime sector under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The book, titled “Customs Operational Revolution and Maritime Development Under President Tinubu,” will be presented on June 18 at Shoregate Hotels, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, alongside a seminar examining the performance of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy nearly three years after its establishment.
Authored by veteran maritime journalists Chief Timothy Okorocha and Mr Francis Ugwoke, the publication provides a comprehensive assessment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), focusing on revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation and institutional reforms.
The book highlights the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, while also examining the contributions of key maritime agencies within the country’s broader economic and trade architecture.
According to the authors, the publication offers insights into revenue optimisation, institutional accountability and the evolving role of customs and maritime agencies in supporting national economic growth.
The book also documents developments within the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy since its creation in 2023, covering the activities of agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN).
The issues
The publication comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to diversify its economy, improve trade efficiency and maximise non-oil revenue sources.
Central to the discussion are questions surrounding the effectiveness of customs reforms, the performance of maritime institutions and the impact of government policies on trade facilitation, port operations and economic competitiveness.
The book also explores challenges facing the sector, including operational bottlenecks, institutional weaknesses and areas requiring further policy intervention.
What’s being said
The authors argue that reforms introduced within the Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi have strengthened revenue generation and enhanced the agency’s role in supporting national economic development.
The publication further highlights Nigeria’s successful return to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council after nearly a decade, describing the achievement as a reflection of improvements in maritime security and anti-piracy efforts in Nigeria’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
According to the book, these gains have strengthened Nigeria’s position in challenging the imposition of war-risk surcharges on cargo destined for the country by international shipping operators.
What’s next
The book launch will be accompanied by a high-level seminar themed “Three Years After the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy: How Far, How Well?”
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, is expected to deliver the keynote paper, while Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, are scheduled to present papers on the achievements and challenges of their respective organisations under the current administration.
The event is expected to bring together policymakers, industry stakeholders, maritime professionals and members of the media to evaluate the sector’s progress and chart future directions.
Bottom line
The forthcoming book launch and seminar provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the impact of customs reforms and maritime sector initiatives under the Tinubu administration, while fostering dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
