US Lifts Longstanding Maritime Restriction on Nigeria

The US Coast Guard has lifted a 12-year Condition of Entry on vessels arriving in the US from Nigeria, easing extra security screening that had applied to ships from designated Nigerian ports since 2014. The move follows four assessments conducted between 2024 and 2026 that found significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security framework and its implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, called the decision a major milestone, crediting sustained cooperation between the US Coast Guard and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. The change is expected to boost the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, improve vessel turnaround times, and lower shipping costs tied to added security measures.