The United States has lifted security restrictions imposed on ships arriving from Nigeria after more than a decade, a move expected to reduce shipping costs and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
This was revealed on Tuesday by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who said the lifting of restrictions followed improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security framework and compliance with international maritime security standards.
Reuters reported that the restrictions, known as Conditions of Entry (CoE), were introduced by the United States Coast Guard in June 2014. They required vessels heading to the US after calling at certain Nigerian ports to undergo additional security measures and increased scrutiny before entering US waters.
The US Coast Guard had cited deficiencies in Nigeria’s counterterrorism measures, including gaps in the country’s legal framework, oversight by the designated maritime security authority, access control and cargo handling procedures.
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With the lifting of restrictions, vessels calling at Nigerian ports before sailing to the United States will no longer be subject to the additional security requirements of the CoE program.
Oyetola said the development would improve vessel turnaround times, improve schedule reliability and make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping lines.
He said the decision was an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and improve the efficiency of its ports.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said the US Coast Guard conducted four assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security systems and port facilities between March 2024 and April 2026.
Industry stakeholders had argued that the restrictions increased operating costs through additional inspections, documentation and safety procedures, while contributing to delays, higher freight rates and higher insurance costs.
The lifting of restrictions is therefore expected to alleviate some of the additional operational burdens on shipping companies using Nigerian ports and strengthen the country’s position in international maritime trade.
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