US Coast Guard begins security audit at Lagos ports

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As part of a continuous review of certain Nigerian port facilities for adherence to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the United States Coast Guard has begun a port security assessment in Lagos.

Sources knowledgeable about the initiative at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) indicated that the inspection team is anticipated to visit Tin-Can Island Port as part of the program.

Scheduled to continue until Friday, March 6, 2026, the assessment commenced earlier in the week.

As indicated in a memo obtained by journalists, the purpose of the exercise is to assess ISPS Code compliance at Nigerian ports and related facilities, with the aim of facilitating the potential removal of the Condition of Entry (COE) for vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria.

The document states that the visiting team will enter the port via designated entry points, such as Abuja Gate and the First Gate to TICT, while exit movements will occur through the Second Gate.

Security staff stationed at these access points have been directed to bolster control measures for the duration of the inspection.

The memo also instructed that K9 units and their handlers remain visible within the port area, while operations teams carry out continuous patrols to ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent security breaches.

Loitering, hawking and unauthorized parking are to be strictly limited.

Irene Akpu, an expert in maritime security, commented on the development by describing the visit as a routine international security audit aimed at assessing Nigeria’s compliance with global port safety standards.

According to her, the assessment’s outcome could aid in tackling enduring worries about port security and bolster initiatives aimed at eliminating the war risk premium placed on Nigeria as a result of perceived security deficiencies.

Akpu stated that successful adherence to compliance could bolster Nigeria’s maritime reputation and increase the confidence of international shipping operators.

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