The United States Government has commended Nigeria’s sustained maritime security reforms following the lifting of a 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on Nigerian vessels.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. Coast Guard imposed the Condition of Entry on vessels arriving from Nigerian ports in 2014, after determining that Nigerian ports were not maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures.
Durung the CoE regime, vessels calling at affected Nigerian port facilities were required to undertake additional security-related measures before proceeding to the United States, creating extra compliance requirements and associated costs for operators.
The measure was not a trade ban but required additional security measures for affected vessels.
On Aug. 19, 2026, the U.S Coast Guard removed Nigeria from its Port Security Advisory, effectively ending the CoE after improvements in Nigeria’s port-security and anti-terrorism compliance.
The development is expected to reduce security-related costs, improve vessel turnaround times and strengthen trade between Nigeria and the United States, officials said.
Frank Garcia, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, conveyed the commendation in a letter dated Aug. 26, addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola.
Garcia described the development as evidence of Nigeria’s sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance, following the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision announced in August.
“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,” he said.
The senior U.S. diplomat said removing the restriction would reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between both countries.
Garcia also said the decision would improve turnaround times and schedule reliability for vessels engaged in Nigeria-U.S. trade, thereby strengthening maritime and economic relations.
He said the U.S. valued its maritime and economic partnership with Nigeria and looked forward to continued collaboration to promote secure, efficient and mutually beneficial trade.
“We are pleased that this milestone will reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between our two countries. It will also improve turnaround times and schedule reliability,” he said.
Garcia commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its years-long collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and commitment to addressing the prevailing high-threat environment.
Oyetola, while reacting, commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership for the strategic support for the achievement, particularly the administration’s prioritisation of marine and blue economy.
The minister described the lifting of the CoE as a major achievement for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an affirmation of progress made in strengthening maritime security and compliance.
He said the development underscored the importance of sustained engagement with international maritime partners, with NIMASA playing a central role in the collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard.
“With the CoE now removed, Nigerian ports are better positioned to compete for international shipping business, while shipping lines operating between Nigeria and the U.S. stand to benefit.
“Both from lower security-related costs, fewer procedural burdens, improved turnaround times and greater schedule reliability,” he said. (NAN)
