The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that the Coast Guard of the United States of America (USA) has concluded plans to lift a 12-year security restriction imposed on vessels arriving in the USA from Nigeria.
This was made known on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Osagie Edward, adding that the development is a major milestone in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The statement reads, “The Condition of Entry, which took effect on June 25, 2014, required vessels destined for the United States that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before gaining access to US waters.
“Over the past two years, the United States Coast Guard conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security framework and port facilities.
“The assessments were carried out from March 11–13, 2024; April 15–19, 2024; March 15–21, 2025; and April 13–17, 2026. The results of the assessments demonstrated significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the ISPS Code, ultimately leading to the lifting of the Condition of Entry.
“The lifting of the Conditions of Entry is a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities.
“We are committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.”
More details later.