U.S commends Nigeria on 12-year condition of entry vessels removal

The United States Government has commended Nigeria for its sustained maritime security reforms, which culminated in the lifting of the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels visiting the United States from Nigeria.

The U.S government said the development will deliver tangible benefits to shipping operators, reduce shipping costs and strengthen trade between the two countries.

The Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Bolaji Akinola in a statement on Sunday, explained that the letter dated August 26, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank W. Garcia Jr., formally congratulated Nigeria on the milestone.

He described it as evidence of the country’s “sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance.”

He said the letter provided a fresh endorsement from Washington following the United States Coast Guard’s decision, announced in August, to lift the long-standing security restriction on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria.

Garcia highlighted the economic significance of the decision, stating that the removal of the restriction “will reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between our two countries.”

According to the senior U.S. diplomat, the change will also improve turnaround times and schedule reliability for vessels engaged in Nigeria-U.S. trade.

The letter reads in part: “Please allow me to join you in welcoming the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to lift the 12-year security restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports.

“We are pleased that this milestone will reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between our two countries. It will also improve turnaround times and schedule reliability,” the letter read.

Speaking on the development, Minister Oyetola credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and strategic support for the milestone, particularly the administration’s decision to prioritise the marine and blue economy as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

The minister described the lifting of the CoE as a major achievement for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an affirmation of the progress made in strengthening maritime security and compliance.

Oyetola said the development also underscored the importance of the Federal Government’s sustained engagement with international maritime partners, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) playing a central role in the long-running collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard.

“With the Condition of Entry now removed, Nigerian ports are better positioned to compete for international shipping business, while shipping lines operating between Nigeria and the United States stand to benefit from lower security-related costs, fewer procedural burdens, improved turnaround times and greater schedule reliability,” Oyetola said.