The United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the US from Nigeria, in a move the Federal Government says will boost Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development on Tuesday, saying the restriction was imposed in June 2014 and required vessels from designated Nigerian ports to undergo additional security checks before proceeding to the United States.
The decision followed four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities conducted by the US Coast Guard between March 2024 and April 2026.
According to Oyetola, the assessments recorded significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
He described the lifting of the restriction as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime industry, saying it would enhance port competitiveness, improve vessel turnaround time and schedule reliability, reduce shipping-related costs and strengthen the country’s position in global trade.
The minister said the development also reflected the progress made by Nigeria in strengthening maritime security standards and meeting international requirements for port and shipping operations.
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