The United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, in a major development for the country’s maritime sector.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development on Tuesday, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The restriction, which came into effect in June 2014, subjected vessels that had called at designated Nigerian ports to additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering US waters.
According to Oyetola, the lifting of the restriction followed improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security framework and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The United States Coast Guard conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security system and port facilities between March 2024 and April 2026. The assessments reportedly showed significant improvements, leading to the removal of the additional entry requirements.
Oyetola credited the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), port operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders for their efforts toward improving maritime security standards.
He said the decision would enhance Nigeria’s port competitiveness, improve vessel turnaround and schedule reliability, reduce operational costs and strengthen the country’s position in the global maritime economy.
The lifting of the restriction is also expected to ease some of the additional security and operational requirements that had affected vessels operating between Nigeria and the United States for more than a decade.
Oyetola said the Federal Government would sustain its efforts to ensure that Nigerian ports remain safe, secure and competitive destinations for international shipping.
The development represents a major boost for Nigeria’s maritime sector and could have wider implications for international trade, shipping efficiency and investment in the country’s blue economy.
