By Sylva OBASI Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have identified high port charges, ageing infrastructure, inadequate digital integration and negative attitudes among port users and operators as major obstacles to the competitiveness of Nigerian ports. They spoke during a panel session at the 4th MARAN Maritime Annual Lecture (MAMAL 2026) held at the Nigerian Air…
The National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, has called for competitive tariff regime and urgent modernisation of Nigerian ports, stressing that automation, digitalisation and smart infrastructure are essential to making the country a competitive maritime hub in West and Central Africa. Ezisi made the call in his…
Stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector have said the country’s ports still lag behind neighbouring ports such as Cotonou and Lome in terms of competitiveness, despite Nigeria’s advantage in market size, cargo volume and traffic. The stakeholders spoke ahead of the upcoming Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2026 organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria…
By Joshua Yousouph Nigeria is losing between $20,000 and $70,000 daily to foreign-owned vessels operating in the country’s maritime trade, even as the country struggles to develop an indigenous fleet capable of carrying its growing cargo volumes. Captain Ladi Olubowale, a maritime industry expert and shipowner, disclosed this at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria…
By Sylva OBASI Notable shipowner and former Chapter President of the African Shipowners Association (ASA), Captain Ladi Olubowale, has said that the $25 million facility under the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) could be sufficient to acquire a sizeable vessel if the financing is tied to identifiable cargo and long-term trade contracts. Olubowale stated this…
By Sylva OBASI The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to confer the prestigious title of Patron on the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry and his commitment to humanitarian causes….
By Sylva OBASI The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, as the keynote speaker at its 2026 Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL). The flagship annual programme is scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m, at the Nigerian…
By Sylva OBASI The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has fixed September 10, 2026, for this year’s edition of its flagship MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL), with top government officials, industry leaders and maritime stakeholders expected to chart a new course for the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports. The annual lecture will hold at the…
By Sylva OBASI The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, has called on maritime journalists to uphold the highest standards of ethics, accuracy and professionalism in reporting, describing responsible journalism as a critical pillar for the sustainable growth and development of Nigeria’s maritime industry. Dr. Akutah…
