Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - The United States Coast Guard, USCG, has removed the Condition of Entry, CoE, imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, bringing an end to a 12-year period of heightened security requirements for ships calling at Nigerian ports.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola
announced the development, describing it as a significant achievement in
Nigeria’s efforts to improve maritime security, strengthen port competitiveness
and enhance its position within the international shipping industry.
The restriction, introduced on June 25, 2014, required
vessels heading to the United States that had visited designated Nigerian ports
within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security checks and
enhanced measures before being allowed into US waters.
Oyetola attributed the removal of the restriction to
sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through
the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), alongside
other government institutions, port and terminal operators, shipping companies
and maritime stakeholders.
He said the initiatives focused on improving Nigeria’s
maritime security architecture, closing identified gaps and ensuring that the
country’s ports met internationally recognised security requirements.
The United States Coast Guard carried out four detailed
assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security system and port facilities
over the past two years. The assessments took place in March and April 2024,
March 2025 and April 2026.
According to the minister, the assessments showed
substantial improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security operations and its
implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS)
Code. The progress ultimately paved the way for the removal of the CoE.
Oyetola described the development as an important milestone
for Nigeria’s maritime industry, saying it demonstrated the progress recorded
in securing the country’s ports and implementing global maritime security
standards.
He said the Federal Government would continue to build on
the achievement to ensure that Nigerian ports remain secure, reliable and
attractive to international shipping operators.
The minister also commended NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo
Mobereola, and his team for their role in achieving the development.
Oyetola said the lifting of the restriction emphasised the
importance of effective regulation, cooperation among maritime stakeholders and
sustained investment in port security infrastructure.
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