It is official as the United States of America (USA) owned United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
The CoE which took effect on June 25, 2014 subjected vessels bound for USA after calling at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to enhanced security measures and additional scrutiny before entering US waters.
However, with the official lift, it will eventually reduce shipping costs, eliminate additional security requirements and scale up the competitiveness of the nation’s seaports.
In the same vein, its removal means vessels making such voyages will no longer face the additional USCG security requirements imposed specifically under the restriction.
It also means that shipping operators are expected to benefit from the lift as it is expected to translate into lower operating costs through reduced additional inspections, documentation, security measures and entry-related delays.
Again, it could also improve vessel turnaround and schedule reliability while reducing costs associated with prolonged port and voyage operations.
The lifting was made public recently by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.
Apparently pleased with the development, Oyetola described it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and align its port facilities with international standards.
Giving an insight into the development, he stated that the decision followed sustained improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
According to him, over the past two years, the USCG conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security framework and port facilities between March 2024 and April 2026.
The Minister revealed that assessments conducted in March and April 2024, March 2025 and April 2026, recorded significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and ISPS Code implementation, culminating in the lifting of the CoE.
His words: “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.”
Oyetola noted that the government would sustain the reforms to ensure Nigeria remains a “safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.”
He attributed the achievement to the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), other government agencies, port and terminal operators, shipping companies and maritime stakeholders.
The Minister also hailed the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and his team for their contribution to the development.
Beyond immediate cost savings, the removal of the restriction could strengthen the attractiveness of Nigerian ports to international shipping lines by improving operational efficiency and reducing the perception of additional compliance burdens associated with calling at the country’s ports.
The development is also expected to support increased shipping activity, trade and investment, with potential benefits for employment and port revenues.
For more than a decade, the additional USA security requirements imposed on vessels trading between Nigeria and the USA had increased compliance and operating costs for shipping companies, while additional inspections and documentation contributed to delays and affected vessel turnaround.
The lifting of the CoE marks the removal of a longstanding operational burden and provides another boost to Nigeria’s drive to improve port competitiveness and deepen its participation in global maritime trade.
