U.S COMMENDS NIGERIA ON REMOVAL OF 12-YEAR CONDITION OF ENTRY 

The United States Government has commended Nigeria for its sustained maritime security reforms following the removal of the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels calling at U.S. ports from Nigeria.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank W. Garcia Jr., conveyed the commendation in a letter dated August 26, 2026, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. He described the development as evidence of Nigeria’s sustained improvement in port security and anti-terrorism compliance.  

The CoE, which had been in effect since June 25, 2014, subjected vessels that had called at designated Nigerian ports to additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering U.S. waters. Its removal followed a series of assessments by the U.S. Coast Guard that recorded significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security and implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.  

The United States said lifting the restriction is expected to reduce security-related costs for shipping operators, improve vessel turnaround times and schedule reliability, and strengthen maritime trade between Nigeria and the United States.  

Oyetola attributed the achievement to sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, government agencies, port operators and other maritime stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework and meet international standards.