The United States Coast Guard has officially removed the 12-year-old Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the US from Nigerian ports, a decision the Nigerian government has hailed as a major validation of the country’s maritime security improvements.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development on Tuesday through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), confirming that ships calling at Nigerian ports will no longer face additional security scrutiny before gaining access to US Waters
The Condition of Entry was first imposed in June 2014 after the US Coast Guard determined that Nigerian ports, except for a few designated facilities, did not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures. The assessment had identified deficiencies in Nigeria’s legal regime, designated authority oversight, access control, and cargo handling procedures.
For over a decade, this meant that any vessel that had visited a Nigerian port within its previous five port calls was subjected to enhanced security checks, additional documentation requirements, and extended delays before being allowed entry into US ports.
The US Coast Guard conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities over the past two years. These evaluations, carried out between 2024 and 2026, examined the country’s implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The results demonstrated significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, ultimately convincing the US authorities that the conditions that warranted the original restriction had been adequately addressed.
Oyetola attributed the achievement to sustained collaboration between his ministry, NIMASA, port operators, terminal and facility operators, shipping companies, and other key stakeholders.
The lifting is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits for Nigeria’s maritime sector. Vessels will experience faster turnaround times and improved schedule reliability since the additional security layers have been removed.
Shipping lines are likely to find Nigerian ports more attractive, which could encourage increased shipping activity and potentially lower freight costs. The reduction in documentation requirements, inspections, and security-related delays is also expected to cut operational expenses for shipping companies and importers.
“This achievement will enhance port competitiveness, improve vessel turnaround and schedule reliability, reduce costs and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global maritime economy,” Oyetola stated.
The Minister commended NIMASA Director-General Dayo Mobereola and his team for their contribution to the feat, describing the lifting as evidence of the positive impact of effective regulation, stakeholder collaboration, and sustained investment in maritime security.
He added that Nigeria would sustain the momentum to ensure the country remains a safe, secure, and competitive destination for international shipping.
The development comes as the government continues its broader push to reposition the maritime sector as a key driver of economic growth under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
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