PERISCOPE

By Yusuf Odejobi Four months to the next International Maritime Organization (IMO) Governing Council elections, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have expressed doubts about the nation’s readiness for the polls, highlighting some reasons why Nigeria isn’t ready. While some experts …

Barely three months after the Federal Government turned down the recommendation by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, the Federal Government again on Friday reiterated its stance, insisting that …

By Kenneth Jukpor & Yusuf Odejobi Nigeria exited the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA) elections, amid controversies surrounding its first attempt to produce a Secretary-General since the organization was formed 45 years ago, a body which has …

By Yusuf Odejobi In recent years, the freight forwarding sector in Nigeria has been in a warzone over the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fees (POF) by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). On many occasions …

By Yusuf Odejobi Train service is not entirely new to Nigerians, especially Lagos residents with the Rail Mass Transit operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor is significant to Nigeria’s economy, albeit realizing this, the federal …

By Yusuf Odejobi Over the years, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has gained global recognition as the key vehicle for the provision of necessary public projects due to government’s inability to fund the infrastructural needs of the people. Nigeria is not different …

By Yusuf Odejobi African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) is widely seen as a crucial driver for economic growth, industrialization and sustainable development in Africa. It opens up business opportunities that cover a gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.4 trillion …

By Kenneth Jukpor “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, and every date has been altered. The process is continuing day by day and …

Yusuf Odejobi With over 2million seafarers across the globe, there’s need to recognize the unique and vital role these professionals play to world trade and the global community at large. Seafarers are responsible for the transportation of goods and services …

By Kenneth Jukpor Despite the COVID-19 pandemic leaving effects Africa’s economy in rumbles like other continents of the world, the pandemic hasn’t dented the continent’s anticipated historic milestone, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which has taken effect to …

By Yusuf Odejobi As the international community celebrated 2021 World Oceans Day on Tuesday June 8, last week, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have called for more awareness in maintaining the sanctity of the oceans as they perceive that the …

By Kenneth Jukpor & Yusuf Odejobi Nigeria’s chances of getting into the Category C of the International Maritime Organization’s Governing Council were brought to the frontburner via our Lead story last week titled, “How Foreign Affairs Ministry Can Earn Nigeria …

By Yusuf Odejobi Nigerian industries and the agricultural sector is expected to suffer from fiscal setbacks following the new financial trend of excessive borrowing by commercial banks from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This week, MMS Plus continued to …

Yusuf Odejobi Financial experts have raised concerns over banks’ borrowing in the nation’s financial sector, warning that there is need for urgent actions to be taken by regulatory authorities. This is coming against the backdrop of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) …

By Yusuf Odejobi Despite efforts to boost indigenous shipping through availability of cargoes, establishment of a ship finance desk in some commercial banks, deliberations on several tough fiscal policies, the creation of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), among other …

By Yusuf Odejobi As the commencement of operations at the Lekki deep seaport draws nearer, the fact that the $1.6 billion deep seaport project in the Free Trade Zone is  without plans for an intermodal transport system necessary for seamless …

By Yusuf Odejobi Information technology has become an essential part of the rapid and accurate transfer and processing of enormous volumes of data processed across several sectors; from banking to aviation, education to politics, and the maritime sector isn’t an …

By Yusuf Odejobi News of containers falling off trucks conveying them has become worrisome and there is a dire need to mitigate these accidents which have led to avoidable loss of several lives and valuable properties. While these increasing occurrences …

By Yusuf Odejobi Seaports are usually regarded as the economic gateway to every nation.  They play crucial roles in economic growth, stability and sustainability as the nation relies on ports for exports and imports. In Nigeria, the Lagos Port Complex …

By Kenneth Jukpor & Yusuf Odejobi Six months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the sum of $3.1 billion for Customs Modernization under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession to Messers E. Customs HC Project Limited, port stakeholders remain oblivious of the …