US Lifts 12-Year Security Restriction on Vessels Calling Nigeria
Conditions of Entry imposed in 2014 over ISPS compliance have been withdrawn
Nigeria will work to attract more shipping lines and deepen trade with the United States following the lifting of restrictions imposed on vessels originating from the country over security concerns, specifically weak anti-terrorism measures.
After more than a decade in which vessels arriving in the United States from Nigerian terminals faced stricter security scrutiny, the withdrawal of the Conditions of Entry is expected to improve the competitiveness of the country's maritime sector and lift bilateral trade.
Nigeria ranks as the second-largest trading partner of the United States in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa. Two-way trade reached $15 billion last year, a 14 percent increase over 2024, with crude oil the largest export.
The United States Coast Guard imposed the Conditions of Entry in 2014 on vessels originating from or calling at certain Nigerian terminals, citing non-compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security code developed after the September 11 attacks. Vessels bound for the United States that had called at a designated Nigerian port within their previous five port calls had to undergo additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering U.S. waters. The designation carried costs in vessel turnaround, schedule reliability and documentation.
Nigerian authorities say the USCG has spent the past two years assessing the national maritime security framework and port facilities, and that those assessments demonstrated significant progress in security performance and ISPS implementation.
Faster turnaround, better schedule reliability and lower costs tied to documentation, inspections and entry delays are expected to bring more line calls, and with them closer trade links to the United States.
"We are committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping," said Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria's Marine and Blue Economy Minister.
Nigeria is positioning its maritime sector as a regional trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Gross registered tonnage rose 19.5 percent to 46.7 million in the first quarter of this year, and total cargo throughput reached 129.3 million metric tonnes in 2025, up 24.8 percent from 103.6 million tonnes in 2024.
The removal leaves 23 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, still under enhanced scrutiny for vessels entering the United States. Haiti became the most recent addition in June.
