By Taiwo Scholarstica
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, bringing to an end a 12-year period of enhanced security requirements for ships calling at Nigerian ports.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and improve the competitiveness of its ports.
The Condition of Entry, which came into effect on June 25, 2014, required vessels bound for the United States that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security measures and increased scrutiny before entering US waters.
Oyetola said the decision by the USCG was a recognition of the progress Nigeria has made in improving maritime security and implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
“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,” the minister said.
He added that the government would continue working to ensure the gains recorded in the sector are sustained.
“We are committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping,” Oyetola said.
The minister attributed the development to sustained collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), government agencies, port and terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
According to him, the stakeholders worked to address identified security gaps and ensure that Nigerian maritime facilities complied with international standards.
The USCG conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security framework and port facilities over the past two years. The assessments took place between March 11 and 13, 2024; April 15 and 19, 2024; March 15 and 21, 2025; and April 13 and 17, 2026.
The outcome of the assessments showed significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the ISPS Code, eventually paving the way for the lifting of the restriction.
Oyetola also commended the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and his team for their contribution to the achievement.
He said the development demonstrated the impact of effective regulation, institutional cooperation and sustained investment in maritime security.
Beyond security, the lifting of the CoE is expected to have economic implications for Nigerian ports and the wider maritime industry.
The removal of the additional requirements could help improve vessel turnaround time and schedule reliability while reducing costs linked to extra documentation, inspections and security measures.
It is also expected to make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping lines, potentially increasing shipping activity, trade, investment, employment and port revenues.
For more than a decade, vessels trading between Nigeria and the United States faced additional operational and security requirements, which contributed to increased costs, inspections, documentation and delays.
With the restriction now lifted, vessels that call at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States will no longer be subjected to the additional USCG security requirements specifically imposed under the Condition of Entry.
The development marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as a competitive destination within the global maritime economy.