General
Nigeria Officially Launches Bid for IMO Council Seat
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has officially inaugurated its campaign for election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, announced this in a statement on Thursday, signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Bolaji Akinola.
He noted that the campaign inauguration took place on the sidelines of the 110th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) at the IMO headquarters in London.
Mr Oyetola emphasised that Nigeria’s candidacy represented a call for balanced decision-making in global maritime governance.
“Today, we formally declare Nigeria’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium,” he stated.
He noted that Nigeria, as a responsible maritime nation strategically located on the Gulf of Guinea, with one of the world’s most commercially significant and security-sensitive shipping routes, remained committed to supporting the IMO’s mandate.
“This mandate promotes safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable shipping.
“We stand ready to work with all Member States to build a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future.
“A vote for Nigeria is a vote for representation, collaboration, and balanced decision-making in global maritime governance,” Mr Oyetola said.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project, coordinated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), as a model of maritime security innovation.
“The project integrates air, land, and sea assets to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain.”
According to the minister, the successful implementation of the Deep Blue Project has resulted in zero piracy incidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters over the past three years.
He said that the milestone had drawn international recognition, including commendation from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
In addition to security efforts, Mr Oyetola noted that Nigeria had ratified and domesticated several IMO instruments.
He added that the country was currently working to adopt further conventions, including those focused on greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling, and maritime labour protections, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability and the welfare of seafarers.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s demographic strength and human capital as positioning the country, as not just a regional maritime leader, but a forward-looking global partner.
“We are investing in maritime education and capacity development, with the potential to contribute more than two million skilled seafarers to the global labour pool in the coming decade,” he said.
Mr Oyetola added that Nigeria had a strong record of constructive engagement within the IMO, offering technical support and sharing best practices with fellow developing countries, particularly in Africa.
He noted that Nigeria also extended the support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to gender equity in the maritime sector, highlighting deliberate efforts to empower women through initiatives that supported female seafarers, port professionals, and maritime leaders.
“Progress in partnership must be inclusive,” he added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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