The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has set up an eight-man committee to drive the implementation of resolutions aimed at ending the War Risk Insurance (WRI) premiums imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
The committee, chaired by maritime security expert, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, was inaugurated after the 3rd Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL 2025) held on August 27 at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The committee members include:
- * Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa (Chairman)
* Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde (Secretary)
* Engr. Greg Ogbeifun (Veteran Shipowner)
* Temisan Omatseye (Former Director-General, NIMASA)
* Mr. Godfrey Bivbere (President, MARAN)
* Mr. Bolaji Akinola (Special Assistant to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy)
* Ms. Ejide Shodipo (P&I Club Consultant)
* Rear Admiral Gregory Oaemen (Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command)
The committee’s mandate is to engage with local and international stakeholders to secure the suspension of WRI premiums, which have become unjustifiable given Nigeria’s improved maritime security. Stakeholders argue that Nigerian shippers have paid over $5 billion in surcharges in the last three years.
During the lecture, the theme of which was “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade,” stakeholders noted that the premiums are no longer defensible, citing Nigeria’s record of four years without major piracy incidents.
This improvement is attributed to the combined efforts of the Navy, NIMASA, and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through initiatives such as the Deep Blue Project and enforcement of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, represented by Director of Regulatory Affairs, Mrs. Margaret Ogbonna, emphasized that sustained advocacy must lead to tangible outcomes. Chairman of the lecture, Engr. Ogbeifun, charged industry players to ensure measurable results are achieved before MAMAL 2026.
Former NIMASA Director-General, Capt. Omatseye, criticized the London-based Joint War Risk Committee, describing its continued classification of Nigeria as a high-risk country as discriminatory.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by Mr. Victor Iloh, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining maritime security gains and supporting collective advocacy aimed at achieving the removal of the charges.
The MARAN committee will pursue follow-up actions, monitor progress, and provide periodic updates to stakeholders, with the ultimate objective of positioning Nigeria as a cost-competitive and secure maritime hub by ending the war ri
sk surcharge regime.
