Category: Daily Trust

One of the challenges facing Nigeria’s housing sector is the inability of citizens, especially the larger part of the population who work in the informal sector as well as those in the formal sector to access mortgage financing.

This situation has not only widened the housing deficit gap but also dashed the hope of many Nigerians to own a property.

Daily Trust reports that UN-Habitat, the arm of the United Nations responsible for promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, lists housing as a fundamental human right.

The global body places affordability, sustainability and inclusiveness of the housing sector at the core of the urbanisation drive, as a way of ensuring access to adequate housing for all.

However, the journey to owning a home in Nigeria can be fraught with challenges, especially for low and middle-income earners. These include factors like high property costs, limited access to affordable financing and bureaucratic hurdles.

Subsequently, the Natational Housing Fund (NHF) was established in 1992 by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NHF Act of 1992.

It was created to assemble long-term funds from Nigerian workers, which are then used to provide affordable housing loans through accredited mortgage institutions.

Checks by Daily Trust show that the NHF is a government-backed initiative that allows Nigerian workers to contribute a portion of their income to a housing fund.

These contributions make them eligible for low-interest mortgage loans provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

The primary goal of the NHF is to ensure that affordable housing is within reach for Nigerian workers within low and middle income brackets

The NHF operates as a contributory scheme where eligible individuals remit 2.5% of their monthly income into the fund. These contributions accumulate over time, allowing contributors to apply for housing loans at significantly lower interest rates compared to commercial banks.

According to Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria’s January to July 2025 operational performance report recently released, more than 76,000 new workers joined the scheme within the past seven months, a significant jump that underscores growing confidence in the Fund.

Yet, when compared against Nigeria’s massive workforce which is estimated at over 70 million people, this figure is still a drop in the ocean.

The reality is that millions of Nigerian workers remain outside the NHF ship, either due to skepticism, misinformation or lack of awareness.

How NHF works

The National Housing Fund Scheme was created as a solution to Nigeria’s housing challenge with the idea that if Nigerian workers each contributed a small fraction of their monthly income, the pooled resources could create a revolving fund for affordable housing loans. The scheme was therefore the government’s strategic efforts at democratizing access to homeownership, ensuring that even workers on modest incomes could aspire to own a home.

It has repayment periods stretching as long as 30 years and interest rates capped at six percent per annum.

This is in addition to an opportunity to access up to N50 million Naira for housing development or outright purchase of a property.

Who is eligible?

Further checks by Daily Trust show that the NHF Scheme is designed in a way that any Nigerian up to the age of 18 years is eligible to register and begin contribution of 2.5 percent of their monthly income immediately.

As a registered contributor to the NHF Scheme, it opens up the window for the contributor to access any of FMBN’s range of products after consistently contributing for a minimum period of six months.

These products include the NHF Loan, Rent-To-Own and Home Renovation Loan. Others are the Individual Construction Loan and Cooperative Housing Development Loan. In addition to these products, FMBN recently announced plans to launch the Diaspora Mortgage Loan and Non-Interest Loan.

All these products have been designed to ease the struggles of homeownership faced by majority of Nigerians who fall within the low and middle income segments.

Addressing some misconceptions about housing fund

Checks by Daily Trust reveal that some of the misconceptions about housing fund by Nigerians include the fact that the Fund is only for civil servants, taxable contributions among others

NHF is not for civil servants alone

One of the biggest misconceptions about the NHF is the assumption that the Scheme is exclusive to government employees.

While civil servants form a large portion of contributors, the NHF was designed for every Nigerian worker above the age of 18. Private-sector employees, traders, artisans, entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals can all register and contribute.

By widening the contributor base, the Scheme pools more funds for housing development and ensures that the benefits are not limited to one segment of the workforce.

The NHF Scheme targets all Nigerian workers, not only those in government employment, and more recently, it has expanded beyond Nigeria’s borders, enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to participate and benefit from it.

NHF deductions are not taxes

Another misconception that has stood for a long time is the assertion that the Scheme is another government tax that workers will never benefit from.

This belief has discouraged many from even asking questions about the scheme. In reality, the deductions are not taxes but mandatory savings that remain tied to the worker’s name.

However checks by Daily Trust show that workers who contribute to the NHF Scheme build eligibility to access loans for housing.

They get the ticket to access affordable mortgage finance or housing. Similarly, those who never applied for a loan throughout their years of service are entitled to a refund of their contributions with a two percent interest at the point of retirement or disengagement from service.

In the same vein, the NHF loans have been said to be shrouded in bureaucracy and associated with challenges with processing times and documentation. Although it existed before now, the deployment of Core Banking Application by FMBN has simplified the process as workers can apply through accredited mortgage banks, known as Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs), rather than directly to FMBN.

These MLOs guide contributors through the requirements such as proof of income, title documents and building approvals, ensuring that loans are processed transparently.

Importantly, the property being financed serves as the security for the loan, which means workers are not required to produce assets beyond the house they intend to own.

NHF loans are not only for new buildings

Many Nigerians over the years believe the NHF Scheme is only useful if they are starting construction from scratch. However, the Scheme supports a wide range of housing needs.

Contributors can use their loans to buy existing homes, purchase properties in accredited estates, construct new houses or give their existing homes a new look with the Home Renovation Loan.

The only restriction is refinancing which involves using NHF funds to pay off existing loans, which is not allowed.

This flexibility means the scheme accommodates different housing realities. A worker in Lagos may use the loan to buy an apartment, while another in Enugu may choose to build a family home on ancestral land, or move into an apartment funded by FMBN and pay on instalments as rents till he/she completes the total amount of the property and becomes an owner. Tis way, the NHF adapts to workers’ diverse needs and circumstances.

How to repay the loans

NHF loans have been designed to be repayable with a six percent annual interest rate which can be spread across 30 years.

This structure ensures that repayments fit comfortably within workers’ income brackets.

Governor Uba Sani has accepted to host the 2026 Nigeria Public Relations Week in Kaduna, promising that next year’s edition will be one of the best events.

The Governor made the pledge when the National President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku and members of his Executive paid a courtesy call at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

Governor Uba Sani also promised to nominate two Government officials to serve on the National Planning Committee and three others on the Local Organising Committee.

The Governor noted that the theme of next year’s event aligns with the broad objectives of the Kaduna Peace Model which emphasises non-kinetic approach towards tackling insecurity. The theme of 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week is ”Food Security: From Policy Paper To Public Plates, The Public Relations Imperatives.”

Governor Uba Sani disclosed that when he assumed office, his administration studied the drivers of insecurity because Kaduna State was associated with banditry, kidnapping and ethno-religious crises.

According to him, one of the things he discovered was that insecurity was fuelled by economic crisis, whereby people felt hopeless and abandoned.

The Governor also recalled that Agriculture was under-funded as the budgetary allocation to the sector by the previous administration was less than 1%.

”So, we invested heavily in agriculture and we allocated 12% of our budget to the sector, surpassing the Malabo declaration which advised states to devote 10% of the budgets to Agriculture,” he added.

Governor Uba Sani pointed out that adequate funding of the Agricultural sector is central to the success of the Kaduna Peace Model because it contributes 43% of the state’s GDP and employs about 60% of the population.

The Governor said that as a result of his administration’s intervention, farmers have returned to farms, adding that over 500, 000 hectres of land have been reclaimed.

According to him, Kaduna State was the first subnational to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Nigeria, which aims to transform Agriculture to a high-value economic sector and create jobs.

Governor Uba Sani also said that Kaduna State is also developing the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre(AQAC) with the support of Afrexim Bank, to enhance its farmers’ produce and reduce post harvest losses.

He further disclosed that 192 primary healthcare centers and all schools that were closed down because of insecurity have been opened in the last two years.

Governor Uba Sani noted that peace has returned to Birnin Gwari and Giwa towns that were centres of insecurity, adding that economic activities are now booming in those areas.

The Governor said that there has not been any ethno-religious crisis in Kaduna State since he assumed office, arguing that the Kaduna Peace Model of non-kinetic approach is about good governance.

”The UK Government has officially lifted its travel restrictions on Kaduna State, upgrading it from ”red” to ”amber”. In 2022, the country placed Kaduna on its ”red” list due to insecurity,” he recalled.

Governor Uba Sani pointed out that while the citizens of Kaduna State and the world at large are happy with the prevailing peace, conflict entrepreneurs are unhappy with the positive development.

Speaking earlier, Dr Neliaku said that the Nigeria Public Relations week was first held in Abeokuta in the southwest and the second one was in Uyo in the south-south.

He disclosed that Kaduna was chosen after a very rigorous process but Kano was still waiting in the wings in case Kaduna failed to accept the hosting offer.

The NIPR President revealed that next year Nigeria will host ”the World Public Relations Forum, which is the biggest gathering of communication experts all over the world.”

According to him, the forum comprises ”those who are advising presidents, those who are managing corporations; they agreed to come to Nigeria in November 2026. This is the second time it is coming to Africa. And the first time it is coming to Nigeria.”

Dr Neliaku argued that the third Nigeria Public Relations Week, which will be held in Kaduna next year, will ”be the foundational program that will now usher the World Public Relations Forum.”

The NIPR President disclosed that Nigeria plans to establish the first university of Public Relations and Leadership in the world, adding that ”we are working with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication.”

The police command in Ondo State says it has arrested one suspect in connection with the abduction of a tipper driver, Tobi Abdulmalik Oluwatuyi.

Oluwatuyi was kidnapped by gunmen on Friday at Ilu-Abo, along the Akure/Owo Expressway in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, said that efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining perpetrators.

‘Yes, it is true that a tipper driver was kidnapped yesterday while his motor boy escaped. Meanwhile, we made an arrest that same yesterday.

‘However, efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators,’ Ayanlade said.

Also, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, Commander, Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said operatives had begun an intensive bush-combing operation to rescue the victim.

‘We are already combing the forest and have blocked the routes leading to Ise in Ekiti to prevent the kidnappers from escaping.

‘We are on top of the situation and determined to secure the victim’s release,’ Adeleye said.

Earlier, Monday Ayesoro, the owner of the tipper, who confirmed the abduction to newsmen, said that the incident occurred around 6am on Friday when the vehicle reportedly developed a fault.

According to him, the truck broke down along the way, and when the driver was attempting to fix the truck, armed men emerged from the bushes and kidnapped him.

‘However, the driver’s assistant, popularly known as the motor boy, managed to escape from the scene and alerted nearby residents for help,’ he said.

The car buyers of 2025 are most likely to have chosen their next car on the grounds of safety and technology. The rugged, no-nonsense Mahindra Scorpio Classic SUV remains a cult icon for the die-hard purists who seek an authentic off-road experience. Meanwhile, the new entry from Kia, the Syros, is less muscle and more futuristic vision – it is a car packed with advanced safety aids and state-of-the-art technology that pleases tech-savvy individuals.

The two vehicles serve different tastes, but when you line them up head-to-head, some interesting observations are made. So, let’s take a deeper look at how these two measure up in the categories of safety and technology.

Safety and Technology in the Scorpio Classic

The Scorpio Classic from Mahindra has always been known for its raw power and ruggedness, but with the needs of the modern buyers changing, the SUV has been provided with some much-needed features, as well. Its focus is more on functional safety, solid engineering and driver convenience, and not tech-averse gimmicks.

The Scorpio Classic delivers dependable safety and technology, albeit more rooted in practicality and essential features than futuristic innovation.

Safety and Technology in the Kia Syros

The Kia Syros embraces advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected car technology as almost its trademark, thereby putting it a notch ahead on the safety and technology front. It is aimed at customers who desire a vehicle that is strong on the style quotient but isn’t without substance.

The Kia Syros has almost every technology feature you can expect from a car in its segment. It offers a great value proposition and is a great option for people who want their cars to seamlessly merge with their digital, connected lives. Kia Syros offers some advanced features that not only add to the convenience but also improve the safety quotient. This offers peace of mind to buyers, knowing their SUV has their back.

Conclusion

The Scorpio Classic and Kia Syros appeal to diametrically opposite buyers. The Scorpio Classic has made a name for itself owing to its ruggedness, which, combined with its practical features, no-nonsense safety systems and strong build, appeals to those who are more inclined towards strength and torque than style. On the other hand is the Kia Syros, which embodies the modern wave of car design and comes with advanced ADAS safety, connected tech and premium comfort in a futuristic form.

For anyone who wants reliable and proven ruggedness, the Scorpio Classic does have a lot to offer. But if you want your SUV to be a tech-laden, future-ready machine with a full array of safety aids, the Kia Syros eases away.

A 52-year-old businessman, Ejiofor Godwin Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano.

A statement on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, the Agency’s spokesperson, said a total of 127 wraps of cocaine, concealed in his private part and stomach, were recovered after he was placed under excretion observation for several days.

Ejiofor, who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra State, was taken into NDLEA custody upon his arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, following credible intelligence.

He was taken for a body scan, which confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs and concealed some in his private part.

The Agency said a total of 58 wraps of cocaine were immediately recovered from his pants. He was then taken for excretion observation, during which he egested 69 pellets of cocaine in seven excretions, bringing the total number of wraps of the Class A drug recovered from him to 127, weighing 1.388 kilograms.

In another incident, Babafemi said three consignments of illicit drugs heading to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos by NDLEA operatives on Thursday, October 9, and Friday, October 10.

According to him, one of the shipments, 1.74 kg of methamphetamine, was recovered from blocks of glass ceramics. Another shipment contained 114 grams of pentazocine and 168 grams of tramadol injections, respectively, while the third consignment contained 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in a Vitamin C container, all going to the UK.

He added that attempts by another set of criminal syndicates to ship 2.6 kg of skunk and 422 grams of Tapentadol 250mg concealed in tablets of black soap heading to Turkey; 169 grams of cocaine hidden in lady’s handbags going to Australia; and 568 grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in containers of herbs going to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were thwarted by NDLEA operatives at some courier companies in Lagos.

Meanwhile, a total of 27,510 pills of Rohypnol concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks going to South Africa were also intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Babafemi said after the initial arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the shipment, a follow-up operation at Oyingbo market in Lagos led to the arrest of the mastermind, 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi (alias Yellow), on October 2.

He added that the same day, an Italy-based businessman, Enehizena Augustine Uyimwen, was arrested by operatives while attempting to export 3,700 pills of Tramadol 225mg and 2,600 tabs of Tapentadol 200mg hidden in food items to the European country.

He said the suspect claimed he was trafficking the opioids for someone else for a fee of Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Euros (pound 945).

Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has tasked the political class in and out of government to prioritise good governance and strengthen citizens’ faith and trust in the democratic process.

The governor spoke yesterday when he returned to Nigeria after a medical trip abroad.

‘I am glad to be back after few days off. We are energised to continue the task of delivering good governance. That is basically the whole essence of politicking. That is what I am committed to.

‘ Political class must deliver on good governance. We cannot joke with the rule of law. We must be accountable and transparent. We must serve only the interest of the people, not our selfish agenda,’ he said.

In a statement signed by his Spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said, ‘ We must build consensus among ourselves. Any fight over power must be within the rule of law and welfare of the people. Any politics that hurt the people is condemnable. We must seek power to serve the people, not ourselves.

‘When we get power, let us use it to serve the people. As a governor, at times I forget the position when addressing needs of our people. Leaders must serve the people. That is how we can strengthen our democracy.’

Residents of the Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over heaps of refuse that continue to pile up at the main roundabout along the Abaji-Lokoja expressway and at the back entrance of the main market.

Some residents, who spoke with Abuja Metro on Saturday, voiced worry over the daily increase in the garbage, which they said has become an eyesore for both residents and visitors to the council.

They noted that the refuse heaps in the two strategic locations pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of the council’s inhabitants.

Mr. Yakubu Ibrahim, a resident, told our reporter that the increasing refuse at the two sites, which is not being evacuated by the officials of the council’s Environmental and Sanitation Department, is alarming.

He said the council authorities’ failure to evacuate the refuse heaps threatens the health of residents, especially those who live behind the main market.

‘If you look at the main Abaji roundabout, some people, especially Okada riders and food vendors, stay close to that refuse and still sell food to customers there. This is dangerous to their health, as they may contract bacterial diseases from the refuse,’ he said.

Another resident, Maduabuchi Moses, also complained about the refuse heaps that continue to pile up, particularly at the roundabout.

He said it was unfortunate that some traders, including those who own shops and sell fruits and sugarcane, have turned the roundabout into a permanent refuse dump site without the refuse being evacuated.

‘A roundabout is supposed to beautify a town or city, but in Abaji, the roundabout where people relax and display wares, including food, has turned into a refuse dump. And the worst of it is that the refuse continues to pile up every day without being evacuated, which is now an eyesore,’ he said.

He said the continued pile-up of refuse is a serious threat to the health of the residents, calling on the council authorities to urgently clear the garbage before residents are infected by bacteria.

‘The area council has no excuse for not clearing the refuse that continues to pile up daily at the roundabout. The council has the money, so why would the chairman not release funds to the environmental department so they can engage tipper drivers to evacuate the refuse?’ he asked.

YPP berates council chair over heaps of refuse

Meanwhile, the Abaji Area Council chapter of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Umar Abdullahi over the refuse dumps in the council metropolis, especially at the main roundabout.

The Chairman of YPP in the area, Alhaji Suleiman Alhassan, who spoke to newsmen at the party’s secretariat on Sunday, said it was worrisome that the council has failed to evacuate the heaps of refuse at strategic places.

According to him, it is unfortunate that refuse has continued to pile up at strategic places within the metropolis for months without any moves by the authorities of the council to evacuate them.

He said residents are at the risk of contracting diseases due to the refuse dumps, warning of a potential cholera outbreak, especially at the main roundabout where residents patronize food vendors. ‘Apart from the main Abaji roundabout, you should go to the back entrance of the Abaji main market, which links to the abattoir, and see the kind of refuse heaps that have continued to pile up there, which is almost taking over the road,’ he said.

‘Yes, we know there is a company that handles the evacuation of refuse across the area councils, which is not peculiar to Abaji alone, but since the contractors are complaining about non-payment by the FCTA, the area council should shoulder the responsibility of evacuating the refuse since the funds are there,’ he said.

He added, ‘For example, in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils, which have a larger population, the council chairmen have taken it upon themselves to evacuate the refuse. Hence, Abaji Area Council should not be an exception,’ the YPP chairman said.

Mohammed also berated the council for failing to intervene over the lack of electricity in the area for the past two months due to the vandalism of electricity cables by suspected hoodlums.

He said residents of the council have been in darkness as a result of the theft of electricity cables, adding that the government has continued to shy away from liaising with the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to fix the electricity problem.

‘Abaji town has been in darkness for almost two months now, and nothing has been done by the present APC government. This has continued to affect many households, especially access to potable drinking water, as many houses with boreholes mostly depend on electricity to pump water. Since the vandals disrupted the electricity, we have been in darkness without any intervention by the authorities of the council,’ he added.

Reacting, a senior official in the Environmental and Sanitation department of the council told our reporter that he would discuss the matter with the chief of staff to the chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Kandi, in order to reach out to the chairman for necessary action.

He pleaded with the residents, adding the council will do all it can to evacuate the refuse once the chairman is briefed and approval is given.

No fewer than 10 Nigerian governors are attending the National Executive Committee meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) holding in Lagos.

The meeting with the theme: ‘The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of it’s inclusion in the effective and efficient governance in Nigeria’ is being attended by prominent traditional rulers in Nigeria.

Co-Chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye, the council has other first class traditional rulers in the country as members.

In attendance are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Imo State Governor and Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma; Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq. Others are Governors Usman of Ododo of Kogi; Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina; Nasir Idris of Kebbi; Aliyu Ahmed of Sokoto, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers and Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing business costs and boosting efficiency at Nigeria’s ports through the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, a digital platform designed to streamline trade processes, enhance transparency, and speed up cargo clearance.

Director of the National Single Window Project and Head of Secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade, disclosed this at the National Single Window Stakeholders’ Forum held in Lagos.

He said the reform demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s determination to build a competitive, technology-driven trade environment.

According to Fakolade, the NSW will connect all government agencies involved in import and export procedures on a single online system, eliminating duplicate documentation and reducing physical interactions that often encourage inefficiency and corruption.

‘It is the President’s desire to see importers and exporters carry out their businesses seamlessly,’ he said.

‘The era of diverting consignments and investments to neighbouring ports due to inefficiencies and high costs will soon be over. This initiative will simplify and harmonise trade processes while cutting transaction time and cost,’ the Director added.

He noted that after more than a year of assessments and requirements analysis, the project has entered its crucial development and integration phase, with an operational target set for the first quarter of 2026.

The forum, jointly organised by the National Single Window Secretariat and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), brought together stakeholders from trade, logistics, maritime, aviation, and regulatory sectors to review progress and strengthen collaboration ahead of deployment.

Participants included representatives from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and the Truckers Association of Nigeria, among others.

Fakolade added that integrating the NSW with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework would open new opportunities for Nigerian exporters by reducing trade costs, improving supply chain visibility, and boosting competitiveness.

‘A fully functional National Single Window will give Nigerian businesses a cost advantage and increase their participation in intra-African trade,’ he said.

Panelists at the forum shared perspectives on their agencies’ roles in the project, while acknowledging challenges such as multiple cargo inspections, non-harmonised documentation, and infrastructure gaps. They assured participants that inter-agency coordination was ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to support port development in Nigeria.

Oyetola made this pledge during a meeting with the management of International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) in Abuja.

The visit was part of ongoing engagements aimed at deepening collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy agenda.

During the meeting, the minister expressed his appreciation for ICTSI’s investments in Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly in the Onne Multipurpose Terminal, which according to him, has significantly improved cargo handling efficiency and reduced vessel turnaround time.

Oyetola stated that the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in the maritime industry, adding that efforts are being made to address the challenges facing port operations in the country.

The ICTSI team, led by Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of ICTSI Nigeria, included Mr. Hans Ole Madsen, Vice President; Mr. Nicolo Scannavini, Managing Director of Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT); and Mr. Chidi Nzerem, Director.

Discussions during the meeting focused on the current operational developments at OMT and explored strategies for its future expansion and efficiency enhancement in line with the Federal Government’s vision for a vibrant and sustainable blue economy.

Oyetola commended ICTSI for its investments and contributions to Nigeria’s maritime growth, emphasizing the Ministry’s readiness to sustain a business-friendly environment that encourages private sector participation and innovation across the sector.

Since commencing operations in 2021, ICTSI’s Onne Multipurpose Terminal has played a transformative role in boosting cargo throughput and reducing vessel turnaround time at the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State.

The terminal, designed to handle a diverse range of cargo – including containers, break bulk, project and heavy-lift, and roll-on/roll-off cargo – features a 1,000-metre heavy-lift quay, 45 hectares of yard area, modern warehousing, and four new Gottwald mobile harbour cranes, among other state-of-the-art equipment.

In June 2025, OMT made history when it received the Kota Oasis, a Singaporean-flagged, LNG-powered container ship – the first of its kind to berth in West Africa. The vessel’s arrival, operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), marked a milestone in the region’s shift toward environmentally sustainable shipping and underscored OMT’s commitment to green port operations.