Seafarers Day, Burutu Port, Blue Economy, Afcfta and Nigerians

The Seafarers Day 2026 was well celebrated by the government and people of Nigeria accentuating the importance of mariners and all who in one way or another contribute to the sustainability of shipping locally and globally.

Of great significance, impact and demonstration of commitment to Seafarers career growth and development was the launch of the Seafarers Discharge Book Management Portal by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Designated Authority, DA, in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola radiated confidence and hope when he said, “As we celebrate the men and women who keep global trade moving, it is imperative that we also provide them with efficient and secure systems that support their professional development.

“The Seafarer Discharge Book Management Portal eliminates unnecessary bottlenecks, strengthens the integrity of our certification processes and reinforces NIMASA’s commitment to the welfare and global competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers” the NIMASA Boss said.

The Director General told participants at the event that the fully automated platform significantly reduces processing time, minimizes manual intervention and enhances the security, traceability and authenticity of seafarers.

His words “Technology remains central to our vision of building a modern maritime administration that meets international standards. This platform is another demonstration of our resolve to deploy innovative solutions that improve regulatory efficiency while delivering better services to Nigerian seafarers and the maritime industry”

We urge that beyond words, action be taken to implement to the later the promises made on seafarers’ day 2026 to prevent the Seafarers Discharge Book portal going the way of recent portal launch suffering eclampsia.

 

Burutu Port?

Reports that the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), supported by the European Union (EU) and in partnership with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, intend to collaborate, rehabilitate and upgrade the ancient Port of Burutu, in Delta state, south south Nigeria to strengthen coastal and inland waterways transport systems for regional trade connectivity is rather disturbing.

Why Burutu Port? Why open talks/deliberations at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council? Is the Federal Government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy aware of the EU plans and intentions?

We gathered that Mr. Hope Nyongo, Technical Adviser to NEXIM Bank, led a delegation on the project to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC.

Details and outcome of discussions on the project with the Council led by Dr. Pius Akutah, as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive of the Council are unclear at the moment. Notwithstanding, it is on records that Dr. Akutah commended the initiative but stressed the need to address critical operational and regulatory issues to ensure its execution and sustainability.

It is our view that the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, knows where to begin discussions and negotiations on such a national project-definitely not with an agency grappling with numerous challenges such as the NSC-unless there is more to the rehabilitation/upgrade of the Burutu Port by the European Union that we do not known-even as the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, assures on rehabilitating the same Burutu Port in its ongoing Port Modernization program.

 

$1Billion For AfCFTA and Counting?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is positioned as the world’s largest free trade area by participating countries as it unites 54 member states to create a single African market with a population of over 1.4 billion and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

The Federal Government of Nigeria  (through the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investments), has set aside a $1billion grant to Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises, SME’s to expand their businesses and take advantage of the opportunities from AfCFTA.

If the EU and NEXIM have set their eyes on the Burutu port as a gateway to AfCFTA business gains to Nigeria, there must be a lot to learn and gain from the continental opportunities unfolding.

Citizens-A wake Up Call!

Citizens of Nigeria are challenged to take advantage of the AfCFTA, the loans and grants made available by the federal government and other financial institutions, benefit and expand their businesses. The spiral effect could be far reaching and transformative.