General
Nigeria Loses $500m Annually to Non-Implementation of ICTN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Shippers Council of Nigeria says Nigeria has lost approximately $2.5 billion over the past five years, translating to $500 million annually, due to the non-implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Notes (ICTN).
The Executive Secretary of council, Mr Pius Akutah, disclosed this during an investigative hearing on the circumstances surrounding the non-implementation of the ICTN and identifying the challenges faced by the NSC, organised by the House of Representative Committees on Shipping, Excise, Customs, Ports and Harbor and Maritime Safety, Education and Administrations.
“Nigeria has lost almost $2.5 billion over the last five years due to the failure to implement this system. There were investigations, including those conducted by the EFCC, which contributed to the delay. The system was in place for only two years before it was halted and since then, we have incurred these losses.
“Over the past five years, we have not implemented the ICTN, resulting in a loss between $1 billion and $5 billion. If we had implemented it, that is the amount we could have contributed to the economy within two years. Although the period of implementation was short, it generated significant income for the country, illustrating just how much Nigeria is missing out,” he said.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Services, Mr. Babatunde Sule, said that though the Federal Executive Council in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari approved the contract, the process of the award was wrong.
The Minister’s representative stated: “Last year, the FEC approved a contract. At the tail end of the last administration, the government approved five companies. I know there was a fake approval, regarding this contract. I am also aware that it was given to five companies.
“I also learned that four of the companies signed an agreement, with the fifth not signing. I think that was what stalled this whole process. The process was wrong.
“At the assumption of the office of the minister, he made frantic efforts to resuscitate this contract. We had several stakeholders’ meetings, we even invited the lead partner for a meeting, we had several discussions on this issue. All has not yet been decided. Time will not let me say what the Minister has continued to do in his efforts to see that this deal is actualised.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Shipping lines Association of Nigeria, Mr Boma Alabi, has kicked against the proposed Cargo Tracking Bill, describing it as an unnecessary burden in a sector already overwhelmed by bureaucratic regulations, adding that the bill would not improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“The shipping industry in Nigeria is already overburdened with red tape and certainly does not require another layer of bureaucracy which is what the proposed Cargo Tracking Bill will result in.
“All exporters and importers can track their goods on the website of the shipping lines generally speaking. In addition, the shipping lines have to upload their manifest to the Customs portal which is connected to the Central Bank of Nigeria single window.
“The ICTN without streamlining the existing process will only result in further delays and congestion.”
The chairman of the House Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, Mr Abdussamad Dasuki, said the ICTN is not just an administrative requirement but an essential tool designed to bring transparency, security, and operational efficiency to the movement of cargo across borders.
“Despite its approval and the commitment of various stakeholders, progress towards implementing the ICTN has been hampered by significant challenges. Among these challenges we believe are the bureaucratic delays and competing interests among agencies, limited coordination between key stakeholders and the duplication of contracts awarded for its implementation.
“Today’s gathering is an opportunity to tackle these issues head-on. Our goal is to identify the root causes of these delays, address conflicted interests, improve revenue generation by plugging the loopholes that allow illicit cargo, such as arms and drugs, to slip through our ports, and ultimately unlock the potential of the ICTN to bring Nigeria’s maritime industry in line with global best practices.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A radio station, Wise FM, has been sealed by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The premises of the broadcast media platform, located on Ogabi Street, Meiran, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, were shut by the state government on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, alongside other establishments across different parts of Lagos State for alleged persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and opportunities provided for compliance.
In a statement by LASEPA, it was disclosed that the enforcement exercise was carried out in response to various environmental infractions, including noise pollution, air pollution, obstruction of official duties, and failure to comply with its directives.
As regards Wise FM, it was said that it was sealed for noise and air pollution as well as non-compliance with the Agency’s directives.
Another organisation affected, Star-View Terrace, located in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, was shut down for noise pollution and non-compliance with the agency’s directives, while Premiership Suites, located at Akin Osiyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was sealed for non-compliance with the agency’s directives.
Speaking on the enforcement operation, the General Manager of LASEPA, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, reiterated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment across Lagos State.
He stressed that both individuals and corporate organisations have a responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations, stressing that environmental protection remains a collective duty that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
The LASEPA boss warned that the agency would continue to intensify enforcement actions against violators in order to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution.
Mr Ajayi urged residents, business owners, and operators of commercial establishments to adopt environmentally responsible practices and cooperate with regulatory authorities in promoting a healthier, cleaner, and more livable Lagos.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Renowned legal practitioner, Mr Mike Ozekhome, has been directed to desist from using the prestigious title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for now pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.
He is being investigated by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), a body which looks into complaints against lawyers in Nigeria.
Announcing the suspension of the prominent lawyer’s SAN rank on Thursday, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr Kabir Akanbi, said the disciplinary action was taken at the committee’s 173rd general meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Mr Akanbi, who doubles as the Secretary of the LPPC, stated in the statement that the temporary ban is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the SAN rank while the matters under review are being considered.
It was explained that the suspension was pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all Matters Pertaining to the Rank, adding that it is tied to disciplinary proceedings currently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC and other related proceedings.
“The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command public confidence and respect,” a part of the notice disclosed.
It stressed that, “Mike Ozekhome shall refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.”
The title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is the highest honour bestowed upon legal practitioners in the country, recognising excellence and long-standing contributions to the legal profession. The LPPC is the statutory body empowered to award and withdraw the rank.
Mr Ozekhome is one of Nigeria’s famous constitutional lawyers, human rights activists, and public commentators, but lately, his name was mentioned in an alleged forgery in the United Kingdom.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The bill seeking to establish state police in Nigeria was on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, passed by the Senate during a plenary presided over by the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio.
The piece of legislation was passed today after more than two-thirds of the lawmakers in the red chamber of the National Assembly voted in support via a manual voting process involving the raising of hands.
Before the passage at the plenary, the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Mr Barau Jibrin, presented the panel’s report to his colleagues.
According to him, the bill will transform policing in the country and boost security, as it allows the sub-nationals to create their own policing system.
The bill provides for the Federal Police Service to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, while the State Police Service will be led by a Commissioner of Police, who will be appointed by the governor of the state, subject to confirmation by the state’s House of Assembly.
To prevent the misuse of state police against political opponents or critics, ensuring that any action taken against such individuals or groups complies with due process and existing laws, the bill prohibits the Commissioner of Police of a state from arresting, detaining, investigating, or deploying force against any critic of the state governor, except in accordance with the law.
After the clauses of the bill were considered at the Committee of the Whole, the bill was passed and will be transmitted to the President for assent into law.
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