The United States Coast Guard has begun a port security assessment in Lagos as part of an ongoing review of selected Nigerian port facilities for compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Sources at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said the inspection team is also expected to visit Tin-Can Island Port during the programme.
The assessment, which started earlier in the week, is scheduled to continue until Friday, March 6, 2026.
A memo seen by journalists stated that the exercise aims to evaluate ISPS Code compliance at Nigerian ports and related facilities, with a view to facilitating the possible removal of the Condition of Entry (COE) imposed on vessels sailing from Nigeria to the United States.
According to the document, the visiting team will enter the port through designated points, including Abuja Gate and the First Gate to TICT, while departures will be routed through the Second Gate.
Security personnel stationed at these points have been directed to tighten control measures throughout the inspection period.
The memo further instructed that K9 units and their handlers maintain a strong presence within the port, while operations teams carry out continuous patrols to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent security lapses.
Activities such as loitering, hawking, and unauthorized parking are to be strictly restricted.
Commenting on the development, maritime security expert Irene Akpu described the visit as a routine international security audit designed to measure Nigeria’s compliance with global port safety standards.
She noted that the assessment’s outcome could help resolve longstanding concerns about port security and support efforts to remove the war risk premium imposed on Nigeria due to perceived security gaps.
Akpu added that achieving full compliance would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime reputation and boost confidence among international shipping operators.