The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Comrade Adewale Akodu, has identified institutional transparency, effective stakeholder collaboration and specialised media reporting as critical to the successful implementation of reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Akodu stated this at the National Conference organised by the Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) in Lagos on Friday, November 13, 2026, where he called for stronger collaboration among maritime regulatory agencies, private-sector operators and the media to improve port efficiency and trade facilitation.
He said the modernisation of Nigeria’s seaports must extend beyond infrastructure development to include digitalisation of operations, streamlined cargo clearance procedures, transparent revenue administration and the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks.
According to him, these measures are necessary to reduce the cost of doing business, attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
The NUJ chairman stressed the need for coordinated port management involving the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders and other relevant stakeholders.
He noted that improved inter-agency collaboration would help minimise operational delays, address inefficiencies, combat smuggling and reduce revenue leakages.
On the role of the media, Akodu said the increasing complexity of the maritime industry made specialised knowledge essential for accurate and authoritative reporting.
He identified international trade, customs administration, shipping regulations, port economics, logistics and emerging maritime technologies as key areas in which journalists covering the sector must develop professional competence.
He consequently urged government agencies and private-sector operators to support specialised training, industry briefings, research initiatives and professional exchanges for maritime journalists.
Akodu also emphasised that the media must maintain its watchdog responsibility by interrogating policies, investigating systemic challenges and holding institutions accountable while upholding accuracy, fairness and professionalism.
He commended the Nigeria Customs Service for supporting the conference and urged the agency to sustain its reform initiatives in trade facilitation, intelligence-driven operations, transparency and stakeholder engagement.
He added that the performance of Customs reforms should be assessed not only by revenue generated but also by their effects on businesses, consumers, investors and the wider economy.
The NUJ chairman further called for stronger unity among media associations covering the maritime industry, stressing that collective engagement was necessary to advance professional standards and the welfare of practitioners.
The conference was held under the theme, “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue,” with participation from maritime industry stakeholders and media professionals