The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola says the United States Coast Guard, USCG, has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry, CoE, imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria.
Mr Oyetola made the disclosure in a statement issued by Edward Osagie, Head, Public Relations, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said the decision ended enhanced security requirements imposed on vessels calling at designated Nigerian ports before accessing U.S. waters since June 25, 2014.
According to the minister, the development serves as a major breakthrough for the maritime sector and a recognition of the country’s progress in strengthening maritime security.
He said the CoE had subjected vessels that called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to additional security scrutiny before entering U.S. waters.
Mr Oyetola said the lifting of the restriction affirmed Nigeria’s progress in implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code across its ports and maritime facilities.
He attributed the achievement to sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through NIMASA, in collaboration with relevant agencies, port operators and shipping stakeholders.
According to him, the coordinated efforts focused on addressing security gaps and demonstrating sustained compliance with internationally accepted maritime security standards and protocols.
“Over the past two years, the USCG conducted four assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities in March 2024, April 2024, March 2025 and April 2026.
“The assessments showed significant progress in Nigeria’s implementation of the ISPS Code and overall maritime security performance, paving the way for the restriction’s removal,” he said.
Mr Oyetola described the development as a significant achievement that reflected sustained regulatory oversight, institutional collaboration and the commitment of NIMASA to maritime security.
“The lifting is a major milestone. It affirms our progress in maritime security and ISPS Code implementation,” he said, pledging to sustain the momentum toward safe and competitive shipping.
He commended NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and his team, saying the feat demonstrated the impact of effective regulation and stakeholder collaboration.
The minister said the benefits of the development extended beyond security to improved port competitiveness, operational efficiency and stronger positioning for Nigeria in the global maritime economy.
He said the lifting of the restriction was expected to facilitate faster vessel turnaround, improve schedule reliability and reduce costs associated with additional documentation, inspections and entry-related delays.
Mr Oyetola added that the development could attract more shipping lines to Nigerian ports, boost trade and investment, create jobs and increase port revenues.
He explained that for more than a decade, the CoE had imposed additional security costs, inspections, delays and insurance burdens on vessels calling at Nigerian ports, raising concerns over the competitiveness of the country’s ports.
The minister said that with the restriction lifted, vessels departing Nigerian ports for the United States would no longer face the additional USCG security requirements.