As Nigeria marks 64 years of independence, one of the most glaring failures of our post-colonial governance is the tragic collapse of our indigenous shipping industry. The Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), bequeathed to us by the colonial administration as a robust national shipping carrier, once stood as a symbol of pride, sovereignty, and economic promise. Yet, within just two and a half decades after independence, the NNSL was thoroughly mismanaged and run aground, becoming a reflection of the broader dysfunction that has plagued our maritime sector.

At the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria inherited a fleet of ships that were not only operational but positioned to support our emerging economy. The NNSL was a testament to the vision of building a self-sufficient maritime power capable of transporting goods and commodities both in and out of our bustling seaports. But today, 64 years later, we find ourselves in a pitiful state, where no Nigerian shipping company owns even a single vessel among the over 5,000 ships that call our ports annually. These ships, owned by foreign interests, dominate our waters, enriching their nations while we sit idly by, exporting oil, gas, and agricultural produce, and importing manufactured goods without a stake in the process.

This collapse is not due to a lack of potential or resources, but rather a systematic and pervasive failure of leadership and vision. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), created with the primary mandate of promoting indigenous shipping, has failed spectacularly in this regard. Established to regulate and nurture the growth of local shipping companies, NIMASA has instead become a bureaucratic entity more interested in revenue collection than in fostering the growth of indigenous maritime capacity. The sad reality is that despite NIMASA’s vast resources and regulatory power, Nigeria’s presence in the global shipping industry remains negligible.

Worse still, the Federal Government’s approach to the development of indigenous shipping has been nothing short of lackadaisical. Successive administrations have paid lip service to the need for a vibrant national shipping industry, but their actions have demonstrated a complete disregard for the sector’s strategic importance. The national shipping line was allowed to decay, with successive governments failing to invest in its revival or even establish policies that could encourage the growth of indigenous companies capable of competing in the international shipping arena.

The creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the present administration was seen by many as a step in the right direction. Yet, almost a year after its formation, there has been little to no improvement in the state of indigenous shipping. The ministry has yet to make any significant strides toward addressing the core issues plaguing the sector, including lack of infrastructure, access to capital, and policy support. The Nigerian government seems content to allow foreign-owned vessels to dominate our waters, extracting profit from our resources while we remain passive spectators.

The negative impact of this failure is far-reaching. Without a strong national shipping carrier, Nigeria is at the mercy of foreign shipping companies, paying exorbitant rates for the transportation of our goods. This erodes our trade balance, weakens our economic independence, and limits job creation in a sector that could employ tens of thousands of Nigerians. Moreover, the absence of a robust maritime industry stifles our ability to leverage the blue economy, a sector that could potentially contribute billions to our GDP if properly harnessed.

As we reflect on this tragic decline, the question must be asked: what is the way forward? First, the government must get serious about developing indigenous shipping. This requires more than the creation of ministries and agencies; it demands a focused, strategic plan that includes investment in shipbuilding infrastructure, access to credit for Nigerian ship owners, and policy frameworks that promote local participation in international trade. NIMASA must be refocused to fulfil its original mandate, not as a revenue-generating agency but as a true promoter of Nigerian shipping interests.

We must also recognize the strategic importance of having our national shipping carriers. It is inconceivable that a country with the economic potential of Nigeria remains without its fleet of vessels. Participation in the movement of international trade is not just about economic gain—it is about sovereignty, security, and our standing in the global maritime community.

The time for complacency is over. The Federal Government must act now to revive the dream of an indigenous shipping industry. Our future prosperity depends on it. The failure to do so will only deepen Nigeria’s reliance on foreign powers, continuing the cycle of dependency and lost opportunities that have plagued our maritime sector for far too long.Dr. Bolaji Akinola, a revered Maritime industry stakeholder, writes from Lagos 

… Affirms the critical role of education in nation’s development

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi on Thursday emphasised the importance of quality education as a top priority of the Customs Service, stressing that management will continue to invest in it, as it plays a critical role in the nation’s development.

The CGC stated this in Abuja, on 26 September 2024, reaffirming the Service’s unwavering commitment to investment in education, particularly, into the Service’s schools nationwide, while presiding as Chairman, on the occasion of the official launch of the book ‘Business Geek: Innovative Incubator From Concept to Reality’.

The book was authored by the wife of one of the high-ranking officers of NCS, Asma’u Isah Maibasirah, and launched at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.

In his address, CGC Adeniyi affirmed the critical role of education in the nation’s development, hence the commitment to building and renovating the Service’s primary and secondary schools, in the various states.

He highlighted the importance of ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to an excellent educational experience; and assured that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deploy resources to address this issue.

Speaking on the book, the Comptroller-General pointed out that it offers valuable insights into entrepreneurship and innovation, which are critical for addressing the country’s unemployment challenges. 

 “There must be something in this book that we must pay serious attention to”, he said, adding: “It is a very timely intervention because we have a high unemployment rate, especially among the youth, and I believe this is the time we must all grab this book.

“The Business Geek book, authored by Asma’u, aims to foster a culture of creativity and business acumen among Nigerians, particularly the youth, by providing practical guidance on transforming innovative concepts into viable enterprises.”

He commended the author’s initiative and noted that the book aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda of empowering small-scale businesses to revitalise the economy.

CGC Adeniyi, however, pledged the support of the Nigeria Customs Service in collaborating with the author to ensure the book reaches a wider audience, adding, “We are committed to supporting the author in providing adequate printed copies whenever the need arises.”

In his review of the book, Professor Muhammad Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Niger State, described the publication as insightful and robust research material for intellectuals and students alike.

He lauded the author for her thorough research and compelling presentation of ideas relevant to academic and professional audiences.

Addressing the gathering, the author of the book, Dr Maibasirah, expressed her profound gratitude to Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, who represented the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering support towards the success of the publication.

Dr Maibasirah acknowledged the critical role the First Lady played in providing encouragement and assistance that ensured the book’s successful launch.

She also appreciated the Comptroller-General and his team for their immense support, which she noted had a positive impact on the entire process of publishing and launching the book.

Additionally, she extended her sincere thanks to the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who served as the Chief Launcher at the ceremony, and other distinguished guests for their presence and contributions to the event.

According to her, the Business Geek book contributes to the discourse on entrepreneurship and highlights efforts to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a pathway to economic prosperity.

The event drew participants from various sectors and served as a platform for discussing strategies for enhancing entrepreneurial skills and leveraging innovative solutions for national development.

… Body provides a standardised system for global classification of goods

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) delegates have participated in the World Customs Organization (WCO) 74th Harmonised System Committee (HSC), a body of experts which serves as a vital tool for facilitating global trade.

The team was led by Assistant Comptroller Abubakar Hardo, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Ekay Asuquo and CSC Lauretta Utubor (Team Lead Advance Rulings) to the meeting held from 16 to 27 September 2024, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

According to reports, the Harmonised System Committee (HSC) plays a crucial role in managing the Harmonised System Nomenclature (HSN), which serves as a vital tool for facilitating global trade by providing a standardised system for classifying goods.

As a Contracting Party, Nigeria’s participation in the HSC is pivotal considering the nation’s large market index in Africa leading to high volumes of imports from across the globe. 

The Maritime First learnt that the impact of these policies, particularly on Customs formalities, has far-reaching economic consequences, making Nigeria’s contributions to such discussions critical.

The HSC focuses primarily on the tariff classification of goods, ensuring that products are correctly categorised under the Harmonised System Nomenclature. 

This involves detailed discussions on goods descriptions and the appropriate tariff codes or headings that align with legal provisions and explanatory notes. 

The HSC ensures that global trade remains efficient, transparent, and standardised through this process.

 Additionally, the opportunity to raise tariff classification issues that may have caused prolonged disputes between customs and economic operators allows for an objective resolution aided by input from other Contracting Parties.

Similarly, a delegate from Nigeria who happens to be a beneficiary of the WCO 88th fellowship programme, CSC Lauretta Utubor, the Team Lead for Advance Rulings in Nigeria, made a presentation at the Leadership Management Development workshop on Friday, 20 September 2024.  

 The presentation, which also took place at the Headquarters of WCO in Brussels, emphasised the role of essential tools such as self-awareness, strategic communication, political will, intentionality, people management, and change management played towards the successful implementation of Advance Rulings in Nigeria. 

She also underscored Nigeria’s dedication to adopting global best practices and the Comptroller General Customs, Adewale Adeniyi’s commitment towards promoting trade facilitation and customs modernisation.

This high-level engagement with technical experts from customs administrations worldwide enables Nigeria to enhance its decision-making capacity when issuing legally binding advice to economic operators.

 Furthermore, the insights gained from the 74th HSC meeting are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s customs processes and contribute to the nation’s continued leadership in trade facilitation on the African continent.