US Coast Guard Lifts 12-Year Security Restrictions on Nigerian Vessels

The United States Coast Guard has lifted the Condition of Entry (CoE) restrictions on vessels arriving from Nigeria, ending a security regime that had been in place since June 2014. The restrictions previously required ships that had called at designated Nigerian ports to undergo enhanced security scrutiny and additional checks before entering U.S. waters due to deficiencies in Nigeria's anti-terrorism measures and legal frameworks.

The decision follows four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria's maritime security systems and port facilities conducted between March 2024 and April 2026. These evaluations confirmed that Nigeria is now in compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and has implemented effective maritime security frameworks.

Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, stated that the move is a "major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector" and a "strong affirmation" of the country's progress. Nigerian officials expect the removal of these burdens to reduce shipping costs, decrease insurance and freight rates, and improve vessel turnaround times and schedule reliability.

As the second-largest U.S. trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria aims to leverage this development to attract more international shipping lines and strengthen bilateral trade, which reached $15 billion last year.