US ends 12-year security restriction on Nigerian vessels

The United States Coast Guard has removed the Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels that called at Nigerian ports, ending a 12-year security requirement that raised shipping costs and caused delays. Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development, attributing it to sustained improvements in the country's maritime security framework.

The CoE was first imposed in June 2014. Under the restriction, any vessel that had docked at designated Nigerian ports within its previous five port calls was required to meet additional security and documentation requirements before entering US waters. The removal means those extra requirements no longer apply.

Four USCG assessments between 2024 and 2026

Oyetola said the decision followed years of effort by Nigeria to meet international maritime security standards, particularly through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). He pointed to the country's compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code as central to the case presented to US authorities.

The USCG carried out four separate assessments of Nigeria's ports and maritime security framework between March 2024 and April 2026. The inspections took place in March 2024, April 2024, March 2025 and April 2026. The government said each review recorded measurable progress.

'Major milestone' for Nigeria's maritime sector

Oyetola said: "The lifting of the Conditions of Entry is a major milestone for Nigeria's maritime sector." He added that it is proof of the country's progress in maritime security and ISPS Code implementation.

For more than a decade, shipping companies whose vessels had previously called at Nigerian ports bore additional operational costs when heading to the United States, including extra inspections and paperwork. With the CoE now removed, those costs and delays are expected to ease.

What it means for Nigerian ports and business

The minister said the change is expected to improve vessel turnaround times, make shipping schedules more reliable and lower the overall cost of doing business through Nigerian ports. The government also believes the move will make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping lines, with potential benefits for trade volumes, investment, employment and port revenues.

Oyetola commended NIMASA Director-General Dayo Mobereola and his team for their role in satisfying the USCG's security requirements. He said Nigeria would continue to raise its maritime security standards as it works to grow the role of its ports in global trade.