The United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels travelling to the United States from Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Tuesday, describing the development as a major boost for Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The restriction, introduced in June 2014, required vessels calling at designated Nigerian ports before sailing to the US to undergo additional security checks and enhanced scrutiny.
Oyetola said the decision followed four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities conducted by the US Coast Guard between 2024 and 2026.
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According to him, the assessments found significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, paving the way for the removal of the restriction.
The minister attributed the development to sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other stakeholders to improve security at Nigerian ports.
He said lifting the CoE would improve the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, facilitate faster vessel turnaround, enhance shipping schedule reliability and reduce additional security-related costs.
NIMASA also confirmed the development, saying it would improve the operating environment for vessels trading between Nigeria and the United States while strengthening the country’s position in the global shipping industry.
Oyetola commended NIMASA Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, and other stakeholders for their contributions, stressing that the government would sustain efforts to make Nigeria a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.
