By Adedapo Adesanya

The Mayor of London, Mr Sadiq Khan, has called for the deepening of UK-Nigeria ties across critical sectors like technology, creatives and trade, following a just-concluded visit to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.

This visit marked the first official trip by a sitting Mayor of London to sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring London’s commitment to building long-term, cross-sector partnerships that support inclusive growth, digital transformation, and cultural exchange.

According to a new release, the UK government said the visit marked the growing importance of Nigeria as a key partner in the UK’s global trade and investment strategy, particularly in sectors such as fintech, innovation, and the creative economy, and the global influence of two dynamic cities – London and Lagos.

Alongside the visit, the Mayor of London led a trade delegation of 27 London-based companies in fintech, enterprise technology, and sustainability, supported by the Mayor’s growth agency, London & Partners.

“I am delighted to be visiting Nigeria and Africa this week – the first visit of its kind by a Mayor of London – to bang the drum for the capital and further develop the strong ties between our countries.

“Africa has the world’s fastest-growing population and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies. Over the next decade, there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London. I will be working tirelessly throughout this visit to drive trade and investment across critical sectors including finance, education, health, tech, creative and sustainability,” he said.

“Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world, and this trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history and culture with the African continent – as we build a better and fairer city for everyone,” he added

Under the leadership of Mr Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, the agency facilitated a series of high-level engagements in Nigeria. The delegation connected with Nigerian policymakers, investors, and creatives through curated events aimed at fostering collaboration and unlocking new business opportunities across Africa.

Mayor Khan’s engagements in Lagos commenced with participation in a panel discussion at the Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech event, where he highlighted how London and Lagos can jointly shape the future of global innovation and encouraged Nigerian tech businesses to invest in London.

He also attended the Lagos Canvas Reception, a celebration of Nigeria’s flourishing creative sector, which he co-hosted with Mo Abudu at the Ebony Life Place.

The reception celebrated the status of Lagos and London as cultural and creative industry powerhouses and looked to encourage even greater ties between the creative industry ecosystems in both cities.

From the arts to fashion, music, and film, the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) is central to expanding trade and unlocking new opportunities in the creative economy.

Mr Khan will continue his historic trade mission with stops in Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town to seek investment, innovation, and cultural exchange as well as strengthen ties with countries across the African continent for economic growth.

On his part, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said, “The Mayor of London’s visit underscores the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria. From trade to fintech and fashion, our collaboration is driving innovation and growth.

“Through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, we’re committed to unlocking new opportunities that benefit both our economies, and this visit is a powerful step forward in that journey of inclusive growth.”

The UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, said, “Sir Sadiq’s visit marks an exciting moment for the UK’s relationship with countries across Africa and is a strong demonstration of our commitment to deepening our ties with the continent.

“Strengthening our trade, investment, and cultural ties is not only vital for shared economic growth, but also for fostering long-term partnerships that are rooted in respect and open up opportunities for all.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals, both located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos for non-implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The enforcement action followed persistent non-compliance by the facilities with the provisions of the ISPS Code, despite several formal warnings.

The move aligns with global best practices and is in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months, the agency said.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.

“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort. Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardise our progress,” he said.

Mr Mobereola added that the facilities would be reopened once all compliance requirements are satisfactorily met, acknowledging their important role in service delivery and trade facilitation.

“Our Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is committed to enhanced sustainable trade facilitation for the maritime sector in a safe and conducive environment,” he added.

The ISPS Code, an amendment to the SOLAS Convention, was developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enhance maritime and port security, particularly for facilities engaged in international trade.

He reiterated that the agency will continue to ensure that infractors are punished, until there is adequate change in culture that will help drive the sector forward.

By Adedapo Adesanya

A Port Harcourt High Court has dismissed a N5.74 billion breach-of-contract suit filed by Macobarb International Limited against the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited.

The judge, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, ruled in favour of the gas giant, rejecting all claims by Macobarb in a judgment delivered on Wednesday in the case with suit number PHC/2013/CS/2022, centered on an alleged breach of terms in a contract awarded to Macobarb for access control works at the NLNG plant on Bonny Island, Rivers State.

Recall that Macobarb International Limited, an indigenous contractor, had dragged the NLNG to court claiming over N1Bn (later amended to N5.74 billion) for alleged breaches to a contract (B130142PPI, Access Control) in the NLNG plant area with three years duration.

Justice Nwogu had ruled that the NLNG did not breach its contract with the contractor and that the gas company did not unlawfully deny Macobarb payments.

The judge said work executed by Macobarb did not amount to ‘work done’ as stated in the contract terms except the NLNG approved it as so, and that the provision mandating the person recognized as contract holder nominated by the NLNG as the one to authorize any dealings with the contractor did not mean that he alone could act for the NLNG as relied upon by the contractor.

The judge ruled that the contract holder was a mere day-to-day overseer of the project, and that any official mandated by the NLNG can terminate the contract.

The judge also ruled that the contract did not provide for stand down payment and that the NLNG did not cause delays in the execution of the contract as claimed by the contractor.

The judge also ruled that the payment failures by the NLNG that the contractor claimed affected the contract did not amount to an offence or breach of the contract but that the contractor misused the loan he obtained from banks.

In the end, the judge ruled in favour of all the grounds submitted by the NLNG and none on the grounds by the contractor, and even tongue-lashed the contractor in most of his rulings.

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Shedrack Ogboru, the chief executive of Macobarb, decried the ruling and its ripple effect for indigenous contractors seeking justice against international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigerian courts.

Mr Ogboru said he felt he presented tight case to the court to show that the NLNG breached terms of payments and that the breaches caused slowdown of the execution of the contract, but regretted that the judge did not agree with any of his arguments.

According to him, many indigenous contractors have died as a result of injustices in the hands of the oil majors, noting that it was only in abroad do communities and local contractors get some form of justice, never in Nigeria.

“My case is presented 100 per cent, the NLNG’s case is zero; but surprisingly, the NLNG has rather been upheld, and Macobarb denied. I pity indigenous contractors in Nigerian courts. We are doomed,” he quipped.