The United States has formally commended Nigeria for sustained maritime security reforms following the removal of a 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) that had been imposed on vessels sailing from Nigeria to American ports.
The restriction was announced by the US Coast Guard in June 2014, and took effect that same month, after regulators determined that most Nigerian ports lacked effective anti-terrorism measures under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The USCG carried out four separate assessments of Nigeria’s ports and maritime security framework between March 2024 and April 2026, culminating in the formal lifting of the restriction, published in the US Federal Register on August 19, 2026.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank W. Garcia Jr., in a letter dated August 26, 2026, formally congratulated Nigeria on the milestone, describing it as evidence of the country’s sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance. Garcia noted the change would reduce security-related requirements and associated costs for vessels operating between both countries.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, called the development a significant milestone in the federal government’s efforts to strengthen maritime security, improve port competitiveness and enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime industry, crediting NIMASA’s years-long collaboration with the US Coast Guard.
Analysts note the change reflects compliance progress rather than an all-clear: a separate US maritime advisory remains in force, still listing piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping as significant threats in the Gulf of Guinea, meaning insurers and shipowners may still price risk independently of the regulatory shift.