By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The United States Government has commended Nigeria for its sustained efforts to strengthen maritime security, following the lifting of a 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank W. Garcia Jr., conveyed the commendation in a letter dated August 26, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola.
Garcia described the lifting of the restriction by the United States Coast Guard as evidence of Nigeria’s “sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance.”
He said the development would reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between Nigeria and the United States, while improving turnaround times and schedule reliability.
“Please allow me to join you in welcoming the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to lift the 12-year security restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports,” Garcia said.
He added that the United States valued its maritime and economic partnership with Nigeria and looked forward to continued collaboration to promote secure, efficient and mutually beneficial trade between both countries.
The U.S. official also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its years-long collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and its commitment to addressing maritime security concerns.
Reacting to the development, Oyetola credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and strategic support, particularly the administration’s decision to make the marine and blue economy a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.
The Minister described the removal of the CoE as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an affirmation of progress in maritime security and compliance.
He said the development would position Nigerian ports to compete more effectively for international shipping business, while shipping lines operating between Nigeria and the United States would benefit from lower security-related costs, fewer procedural burdens, improved turnaround times and greater schedule reliability.
The Minister further acknowledged the role of NIMASA and the Federal Government’s sustained engagement with international maritime partners in achieving the milestone.
