The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, 12 years after the restriction was introduced.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development on Tuesday, describing it as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
According to the Head of Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Osagie Edward, the decision ends a 12-year regime of enhanced security requirements for vessels calling at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States.
The minister said the development represented a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen maritime security, improve port competitiveness and enhance Nigeria’s position in the global maritime industry.
The CoE, which took effect on June 25, 2014, required vessels destined for the United States that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering US waters.
Oyetola said the lifting of the restriction followed sustained improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code across the country’s ports and maritime facilities.
He disclosed that the USCG conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security framework and port facilities over the past two years.
The assessments were carried out from March 11 to 13, 2024; April 15 to 19, 2024; March 15 to 21, 2025; and April 13 to 17, 2026.
According to the minister, the assessments showed significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the ISPS Code, ultimately leading to the lifting of the CoE.
He attributed the achievement to sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through NIMASA, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, port operators, terminal and facility operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
Oyetola said the coordinated efforts focused on strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security framework, addressing identified gaps and demonstrating sustained compliance with internationally accepted maritime security standards.
“The lifting of the Conditions of Entry is a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities,” he said.
“We are committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.”
The minister also commended NIMASA Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, and his team for their contribution to the achievement, saying the development demonstrated the positive impact of effective regulation, stakeholder collaboration and sustained investment in maritime security.
He noted that the significance of the decision extended beyond maritime security, with the potential to improve the competitiveness and efficiency of Nigerian ports and strengthen the country’s position in the global maritime economy.
The lifting of the CoE is expected to facilitate faster vessel turnaround and improve schedule reliability while reducing costs associated with additional documentation, inspections, security measures and entry-related delays.
It could also make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping lines, potentially increasing shipping activity and contributing to greater trade, investment, employment opportunities and port revenues.
For more than a decade, vessels trading between Nigeria and the United States had been subjected to additional security and operational requirements under the CoE.
The measures increased security and operating costs for shipping operators, while also resulting in additional inspections and documentation, delays in vessel turnaround and higher freight and insurance costs.
The restrictions had also raised concerns over the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and their perception within the international shipping community.
With the lifting of the CoE, vessels calling at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States will no longer be subjected to the additional USCG security requirements imposed specifically under the restriction.
