General
NPA, NCS Target 24-Hour Port Operations
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are targeting a speedy structure that will enable the cleating of cargo at the ports within 24 hours.
Both agencies are currently in talks over the 24-hour cargo clearance operations ahead of the introduction of the Single Window policy.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, said that both organisations have engaged each other over this issue to make the port more efficient and cost-effective.
Mr Bello-Koko also said that this issue of 24-hour port operation could be achieved if customs can commence the shift system of work, calling for a quicker auction process of seized or overtime cargoes to decongest the ports.
He explained that with 24-hour port operations, NPA will be able to have cargoes released within the time frame in all its port locations.
He said: “We have had stakeholder engagement where we talked about the need to have 24-hour port operations and the need for us to have shifts. We have seen that that instruction has been given.
“A few ports have started implementing that. But we require that you make it a policy and send out a circular that will ensure that officers are on seat when they are supposed to be and that way we Will be able to have cargo release and so on 24 hours at all port locations.
“But so far, we have seen action has been taken and we appreciate that. But we just want it to be formalized adequately and sent to all locations. That will help us reduce the time it takes to release cargo from the pots. We have raised the issue of export with you. We have seen a tremendous increase in the percentage and quantity of export cargo. And we appreciate that.
On his part, the Comptroller General of the Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said that the agency was ready to deepen the already existing relations with the NPA adding that bigger cooperation between both agencies will translate to a better facilitation of trade that will bring about a more efficient port system that will better grow the economy.
He also said that any desire to make Nigerian ports more competitive will be supported by the management of the NCS.
“A lot is going for us in terms of collaboration between the customs and the NPA. So, my visit today, first, is to renew our friendship. The second is to deepen the relationship between us. And third, through the projects that we want to launch, we want to see how we can strengthen the collaboration and the cooperation that has been existing between the NCS and NPA.
“What are the projected outcomes of this kind of collaboration? They are very simple. And it is something of vision alignment. NPA desires to achieve port efficiency. And we believe that in customs, port efficiency would help to facilitate trade.
“NPA, through all its programs, is trying to promote the competitiveness of our ports. This aligns with our vision because many Nigerians are diverting their things across the neighbouring ports.
“And we must do everything to ensure that our ports remain competitive so that our cargo and the economy is driven by our ports. And finally, we want to make our ports more efficient. When our ports are more efficient, it will translate into better efforts in revenue.”
“So, anything and everything that will help to reduce the time and the costs it takes to conduct business in our ports is those things that we are going to be exploring in the collaboration with NPA. And I’m happy that you have mentioned all of them.
“And if you go through all of these areas that you have mentioned, they all speak to ensuring that we have a better future. We have better ports, more efficient ports, more competitive ports, and ports that speak to our needs,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Newryton International Industrial Development Company Limited, a leading Chinese investment and industrial development consortium, to advance discussions on deepening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, and development financing between both countries.
The Newryton delegation, led by Mr David Chen, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Hainan Investment Council, had earlier engaged with the Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). They were accompanied to the NCSP by Mr Joe Onyuike, Vice-Chairman of NACCIMA’s Agriculture and Livestock Trade Group, who conveyed NACCIMA’s support for the delegation’s engagements.
Discussions centered on the establishment of a Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform, including a proposed Promotion Centre in China to support Nigerian products, investors, and state governments.
The consortium also presented opportunities within Hainan Province’s Free Trade Port (FTP), which offers preferential policies that Nigerian businesses can leverage to expand exports and attract new investments.
In his address on behalf of Newryton, Mr Pong outlined plans to collaborate with NCSP in accessing FOCAC-supported financing for strategic investments in agriculture, energy, mining, solid minerals processing, and related sectors. The delegation identified aquaculture as a key area of interest and referenced the forthcoming Global Aquaculture Conference in Hainan Province, encouraging Nigerian stakeholders to participate.
They also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in vocational training and employment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General, Martins Olajide, NCSP’s Head of Internal Operations, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
He highlighted NCSP’s strong interest in the proposed Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform and the development of the Nigerian Oil Palm Industrial Park as a flagship demonstration project.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Judy Melifonwu, NCSP’s Head of International Relations, underscored the opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff policy and the forthcoming NAQS–GACC protocol on the export of Nigerian aquaculture products. She noted that these frameworks would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging global markets.
Both parties expressed commitment to advancing discussions toward a structured cooperation framework covering all priority areas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom–Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), established in 2019 as part of a 16-year legacy of UK-funded infrastructure support to Nigeria, convened over 100 senior stakeholders on Tuesday, December 2, to review its progress and formally close out its current phase of operations.
The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, development finance institutions, and the private sector to reflect on UKNIAF’s work across the power, infrastructure finance, and roads sectors. Discussions focused on institutional reforms, capacity development, and the sustainability of tools and processes introduced over the past six years.
Since inception, UKNIAF has delivered targeted technical assistance designed to embed evidence-based reforms, data-driven decision-making, and improved institutional performance. Its interventions have mobilised significant financing, strengthened regulatory and planning systems, and enhanced investor readiness across multiple infrastructure markets.
In the power sector, participants highlighted landmark achievements including the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a least-cost and low-carbon pathway for expanding electricity supply. UKNIAF also supported the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in building advanced real-time data capabilities for tariff monitoring, grid management, and outage tracking. The programme enabled pioneering states to establish their own electricity markets following constitutional reforms.
In infrastructure finance, UKNIAF was recognised for strengthening project preparation systems and enabling access to capital. Notable accomplishments include supporting the mobilisation of $75 million from the African Development Bank to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in two states, and accelerating mini-grid and solar deployment through improved technical standards at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
UKNIAF also designed a national project preparation facility, for which N21 billion was allocated in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets to build a pipeline of bankable projects.
Speaking on this, Mr Frank Edozie, UKNIAF Team Lead, described the programme’s close-out as a “handover for sustained delivery,” emphasising that strengthened institutions now hold tools that make Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape more transparent, climate-smart, and investor-ready.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, commended the programme, noting that its technical assistance and advisory services had helped lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive electricity supply industry.
Mrs Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Corporation at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, praised the partnership, highlighting achievements ranging from state-level electricity market reforms to unlocking major financing and designing Nigeria’s Climate Change Fund.
Enugu State Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the lasting influence of the programme, stating that UKNIAF’s impact continues through the expertise and leadership transferred to national and sub-national institutions.
The close-out event reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to sustaining tools, reforms, and knowledge products developed under UKNIAF, while strengthening collaboration among public, private, and development actors in the infrastructure ecosystem.
Participants included federal and state agencies such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, REA, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, alongside development partners including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has been slashed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Lagos-based oil facility brought down the ex-depot price of the petroleum product by 15.58 per cent or N129 per litre to N828 per litre.
Though the company had yet to release an official statement on this development, real-time market data on Petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the new price.
Punch reports that data from the platform also showed fresh reductions across several private depots following the refinery’s latest review.
Sigmund Depot cut its ex-depot price by N4 to N824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped its price by N3, and TechnoOil slashed its by N15.
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