Lagos, July 17, 2025 – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK terminals in Ijegun-Egba, Lagos.
NIMASA disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.
It said it took the action in its capacity as the designated authority for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria,
NIMASA said the enforcement action followed the operators’ persistent non-compliance with the provisions of the ISPS Code, despite several formal warnings.
It said the move aligned with global best practices and in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014) which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months.
Speaking on the development, Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of NIMASA, emphasized NIMASA’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort,” he said.
“Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardize our progress.”
Mobereola said the facilities would be reopened once all compliance requirements were satisfactorily met, acknowledging their important role in service delivery and trade facilitation.
“Our Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola is committed to enhanced sustainable trade facilitation for the maritime sector in a safe and conducive environment,” he said.
The ISPS Code, an amendment to the SOLAS Convention, was developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime and port security, particularly for facilities engaged in international trade.
