The United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Tuesday, describing the development as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Condition of Entry, introduced in June 2014, subjected vessels that had called at designated Nigerian ports to additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering the United States.

The decision followed four assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities conducted by the US Coast Guard between March 2024 and April 2026.

According to the Federal Government, the assessments showed significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, leading to the removal of the restriction.

Oyetola said the development reflected sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other stakeholders to improve security standards across Nigerian ports.

“This is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities,” Oyetola said.

He added that the lifting of the restriction would improve port competitiveness, enhance vessel turnaround and schedule reliability, reduce additional security-related costs and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global maritime economy.

The minister commended NIMASA Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, and other stakeholders for their contributions, assuring that the government would sustain efforts to make Nigeria a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.