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 

… Vows to reduce the cost of living, saying efforts will dovetail into greater farming and bumper agricultural harvests

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said that Nigerian security forces have eliminated more than 300 commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group in the last year.

Also eliminated are many commanders of other banditry groups, especially in the North-West and North-East.

Tinubu gave the security update in his National Broadcast to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry.

“Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

“As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home.

“It is an unfinished business, and our security agencies are committed to ending it as quickly as possible.

“As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms.

“We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this,” he said.

In the meantime, President Bola Tinubu has stressed that his administration is taking appropriate measures to reduce the cost of living.

The President said this in his Independence Day broadcast on Tuesday.

“The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

“My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home,” said the President.

He commended the governors of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest governors that had embraced the agricultural production programme of his administration.

“I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertiliser and making available tractors and other farm equipment.

“Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2,000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months,” he said.

He added that the energy transition programme being implemented by his government was on course.

“We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players.

“The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation. 

“Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion,” he said. 

… 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.