US lifts 12-year restriction on Nigerian vessels over improved security

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports, following a series of assessments that found significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security and compliance with international port security standards.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in a statement by Osagie Edward, Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), yesterday.

The decision ends a regime of enhanced security requirements imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria since June 25, 2014.

The USCG conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security framework and port facilities between March 2024 and April 2026. The assessments, according to Oyetola, recorded significant progress in Nigeria’s implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and overall maritime security performance, leading to the removal of the restriction.

Under the CoE, vessels bound for the United States that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls were subjected to additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering US waters.

Oyetola said the lifting of the restriction was a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an affirmation of the progress made in strengthening the country’s maritime security architecture.

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 and terminal operators, facility operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.

“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.”

Oyetola said the government would sustain the momentum to ensure that Nigerian ports remained safe, secure and competitive destinations for international shipping.

The minister commended the Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, and his team for their contribution to the achievement, describing it as evidence of the impact of regulatory oversight, institutional collaboration and sustained investment in maritime security.

The removal of the restriction is expected to reduce additional inspections, documentation and security-related requirements for affected vessels, while improving vessel turnaround time and schedule reliability.

It could also enhance the attractiveness of Nigerian ports to international shipping lines and support increased shipping activity, trade and investment.

For more than a decade, the CoE had subjected vessels calling at designated Nigerian ports to additional security requirements before proceeding to the United States, with implications for operating costs, inspections, documentation and vessel turnaround times.

With the US action, vessels calling at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States will no longer face the additional security requirements imposed specifically under the 12-year-old restriction.