Lagos, March 26, 2025 – Joe Prince Larson, a US coast guard, has commended Nigeria for the considerable progress achieved in the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Joe Prince Larson made the commendation during a working visit to Nigeria.
He led a team from the International Port Security Programme on a working tour of some terminals and ports in Nigeria to ascertain the level of implementation of the ISPS Code across Nigerian ports facilities.
The team conducted assessment visits to the Dangote Port and Lekki Free Trade Zones in Lekki, Lagos State, as well as private port facilities operated by Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State.
Larson, while delivering an interim assessment report to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said Nigeria’s compliance with the ISPS Code ranked amongst the best globally.
He said his team would report their findings to the leadership of the US Coast Guard accordingly and expressed confidence that NIMASA would maintain the high standards attained to date.
“We had the pleasure of visiting Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State before proceeding to the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Port in Lagos, with the overall assessment being very positive.
“We noted that there is a clear and deep understanding on the implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria with the level of compliance observed to be at par with some of the best maritime nations globally.
“We would report our findings back to US Coast Guard headquarters accordingly.”
Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the NIMASA DG, spoke about the Agency’s commitment to sustaining the improved compliance levels at the nation’s ports, while noting the positive effect this has made on Nigeria’s perception internationally.
He said the Agency would continue to support the efforts of Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, to improve standards in the Nigerian maritime industry.
“I must express my happiness at the positive feedback we have received from the USCG delegation as it serves as reward for the Federal Government’s commitment to the develop of the sector, and the work of the Agency, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to ensure international standards are adhered to in the area of port security,” he said.
The USCG has consistently partnered with NIMASA to conduct on-the-spot assessments of the compliance level of Nigerian ports with the ISPS Code.
These evaluations, which commenced last year as part of a three-year plan, are geared towards providing actionable insights and data-based decisions to lift the Condition of Entry (CoE) placed on vessels departing Nigeria for the United States of America.
