US lifts 12-year security restriction on ships from Nigeria

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels travelling to the United States from Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the development on Tuesday in a statement shared on his X account, describing it as a major boost for Nigeria’s maritime industry.

The restriction, introduced in June 2014, required vessels calling at designated Nigerian ports before sailing to the United States to undergo additional security checks and enhanced scrutiny.

The decision to remove the restriction followed a series of assessments by the US Coast Guard of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities.

According to the minister, the US Coast Guard conducted four comprehensive assessments between 2024 and 2026.

The assessments were carried out from March 11 to 13, 2024; April 15 to 19, 2024; March 15 to 21, 2025; and April 13 to 17, 2026.

Oyetola said the assessments found significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

He said the findings ultimately paved the way for the lifting of the CoE.

The minister attributed the development to sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other stakeholders to strengthen security at Nigerian ports and ensure compliance with international maritime standards.

“Nigeria’s maritime sector has achieved a major milestone: the United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry imposed on vessels arriving in the U.S. from Nigeria,” Oyetola said.

He said the decision represented a strong endorsement of the progress recorded in maritime security and the implementation of the ISPS Code across the country’s ports and facilities.

Oyetola commended government agencies and other stakeholders for their collaboration, saying the development would have significant economic benefits for the country.

According to him, the removal of the restriction is expected to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, facilitate faster vessel turnaround and enhance schedule reliability.

It would also help reduce additional costs associated with security requirements and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global maritime economy, he said.

“We will sustain this momentum and ensure Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping,” the minister added.

NIMASA also confirmed the development in a statement on its social media platforms, saying the removal of the restriction would improve the operating environment for vessels trading between Nigeria and the United States.

The agency said the lifting of the CoE was expected to boost port competitiveness, improve vessel turnaround and schedule reliability, reduce additional security-related expenses and enhance Nigeria’s standing in the international shipping industry.

Oyetola commended NIMASA Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, and other stakeholders for their roles in achieving the development.

The lifting of the restriction marks a significant improvement in Nigeria-US maritime relations and provides a boost to ongoing efforts to position Nigerian ports as safer and more competitive gateways for international trade.

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