The Nigeria Maritime Space has witnessed tremendous growth over the last year. The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, i.e. the ministry in charge of maritime in Nigeria, has set out goals which it intends to achieve in the maritime sector in Nigeria. Let’s review the progress and shortcomings.

1. BERTHING OF A WHOLLY NIGERIAN-OWNED VESSEL: In 2025, Nigeria berthed its own wholly owned vessel named MV Ocean Dragon. The vessel was berthed at the Onne Port and has raised hope in the indigenous participation in the shipping industry. The vessel has already started plying key ports in Nigeria and would soon extend its services to other West African ports. This is not just a win for Nigeria but also for other West African countries, as this would make shipping faster and more affordable.
2. SECURING A SPACE IN THE IMO: After the drought comes the rain, after several years of not having a seat at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Some Nigerians were elected into the IMO council in November 2025; this can be traced to the growing maritime industry and the increase in the safety of the Nigerian Waterways. This election reflects the international community’s confidence in Nigeria and would also boost the maritime industry.
3. PORT COMMUNITY SYSTEM: The World Bank and the International Association of Ports and Harbours had come up with the guidelines to implement the Port Community System (PCS) and its advantages for developing countries.  PCS, as defined by the World Bank, are digital collaborative platforms that enable seamless exchange of information among a port’s many stakeholders, including customs agencies, port management, shipping and logistics companies, and freight forwarders. The Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), one of the agencies of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, has followed the guidelines and has started implementing this with a promise that it will be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Although this is not completed, significant progress has been made. Some of the progress includes: automating cargo handling and simplifying administrative processes, introduction of an electronic barrier system at all Lagos port complex terminals to improve traffic and control access. The Agency has also introduced e-tag verification, joint boarding applications, and other electronic systems to optimise cargo processes and reduce dwell time. While the other part of the process that is pending includes automating their barge and railway records, introducing a One Stop Shop for refined oil exports and local crude payments, once this is put in place, Nigeria would have fully adopted the Port Community System, and Nigeria would have a modernised port system. Also, the NPA has noted that this port modernisation would generate $1,000,000,000(One Billion Dollars).
4. NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW: The Federal Government has plans to introduce the National Single Window (NSW). This initiative would introduce a single electronic trade platform that can be used by all the agencies concerned with import and export. It would also serve as a Single repository to facilitate data exchange utilised by government agencies and all stakeholders in the trading community. The window would also provide for scanning services for all consignments entering the country, and this is not limited to sea but also to air. This would help prevent wastage and also contribute to the revenue generated from the maritime sector. The process of implementing the window has started. There have been Inauguration of the Industry Stakeholders’ Forum, Constitution of the Private Sector Consultative Forum (PSCF), Convening of the Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) Forum, Completion of Business Process Analysis and Technology Readiness Assessments, Commencement of Training Needs Analysis; this included a webinar that was organised 1st quarter of 2026 sensitise stakeholders and also an engagement session to launch the window.