The United States has commended Nigeria’s maritime security reforms following the removal of a 12-year Condition of Entry on vessels arriving in U.S. waters from Nigerian ports, a development expected to boost trade and reduce shipping costs.
The United States Government has commended Nigeria’s sustained maritime security reforms following the removal of a 12-year Condition of Entry imposed on vessels arriving in U.S. waters from Nigerian ports.
The U.S. Coast Guard formally removed Nigeria from its Port Security Advisory on August 19, 2026, after determining through recent assessments that the country was maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures at its ports.
The decision ended conditions imposed in 2014 after the Coast Guard found that Nigeria was not effectively implementing required anti-terrorism measures at its port facilities. The removal took effect on August 19, 2026.
Under the previous regime, vessels arriving in the United States after calling at affected Nigerian ports were required to comply with additional security measures.
The restriction was not a trade ban but created additional compliance requirements and costs for vessel operators.
The U.S. Coast Guard, in its official notice, said Nigeria’s removal followed recent assessments showing that the country had strengthened anti-terrorism measures at its ports to meet the required standards.
Frank Garcia, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, conveyed the United States’ commendation in a letter dated August 26 and addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola.
Garcia described the development as evidence of Nigeria’s sustained progress in strengthening port security and improving compliance with international anti-terrorism requirements.
“Please allow me to join you in welcoming the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to lift the 12-year security restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports,” he said.
The senior U.S. diplomat said the removal of the restriction would reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between Nigeria and the United States.
He added that the development would improve turnaround times and schedule reliability for vessels engaged in trade between both countries, strengthening their maritime and economic relationship.
“We are pleased that this milestone will reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between our two countries. It will also improve turnaround times and schedule reliability,” Garcia said.
He commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for its years of collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and commitment to addressing maritime security concerns.
Reacting to the development, Oyetola commended President Bola Tinubu for providing strategic support for the achievement and prioritising the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
The minister described the removal of the Condition of Entry as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an affirmation of the country’s progress in strengthening port security and international compliance.
According to him, the development also demonstrated the value of sustained engagement with international maritime partners, with NIMASA playing a central role in Nigeria’s collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard.
“With the CoE now removed, Nigerian ports are better positioned to compete for international shipping business, while shipping lines operating between Nigeria and the U.S. stand to benefit from lower security-related costs, fewer procedural burdens, improved turnaround times and greater schedule reliability,” Oyetola said.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that Nigeria was removed from the Port Security Advisory because it had determined that the country was maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures at its ports. The official decision formally ended the conditions imposed in 2014.
The development is expected to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in international shipping and strengthen maritime trade and economic relations between Nigeria and the United States.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
