MARCON 2026: OGFZA MD leads Blue Economy dialogue, CGC Adeniyi bags Lifetime Achievement Award

…11 other customs officers to be honoured

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) will place the spotlight on Nigeria’s Blue Economy aspirations and excellence in Customs administration as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Usman Bamanga Jada, chairs the high-level gathering.

The event will also see the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, honoured with MARCON’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Eleven other senior customs officers will also be honoured for their outstanding contributions to revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, border security and institutional reforms.

The conference, scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, will bring together government officials, maritime regulators, investors, industry operators and policy experts to deliberate on the theme: “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”

The event is expected to explore how Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can accelerate industrialisation, attract investment, facilitate trade, create employment and unlock the enormous opportunities within Nigeria’s marine and maritime economy.

Jada

MARCON said the selection of Jada as chairman reflects OGFZA’s growing role in promoting investment, industrial development and ease of doing business within Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones.

As the country’s regulator of oil and gas free zones, OGFZA has continued to implement reforms aimed at attracting both local and foreign investments, promoting export-oriented industrialisation, encouraging technology transfer and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness as a preferred investment destination.

Chairman of the MARCON 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, described Jada’s participation as a major boost to discussions on the strategic role of Special Economic Zones in advancing the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda.

According to him, OGFZA’s achievements demonstrate how properly managed economic zones can stimulate sustainable economic growth, support maritime trade and deepen Nigeria’s industrial base.

Beyond policy conversations, the conference will also celebrate excellence within the Nigeria Customs Service through the presentation of awards to outstanding officers whose leadership has significantly impacted customs administration and national economic development.

Leading the honours list is the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who will receive MARCON’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his transformative leadership and enduring contributions to Customs administration and the maritime sector.

MARCON noted that under Adeniyi’s leadership, the Service has recorded unprecedented revenue growth, accelerated digital transformation through the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, strengthened anti-smuggling operations, expanded the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, supported the implementation of the National Single Window, launched the Customs Cares Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, and reinforced Nigeria’s international reputation with his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council.

The organisation said these achievements have modernised Customs operations, enhanced trade facilitation, improved border management and positioned Nigeria among leading Customs administrations globally.

Other award recipients include Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, who will receive the Excellence Award in Anti-Smuggling Operations and Economic Protection for his intelligence-driven enforcement activities across the South-West.

Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, will receive the Trade Facilitation and Border Security Excellence Award for effectively balancing border security with legitimate cross-border trade.

The Award of Excellence in Anti-Smuggling Enforcement and National Economic Protection will go to Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun, Controller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone C, for his strategic anti-smuggling operations and contributions to protecting national revenue.

Also recognised are Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command for excellence in revenue generation and trade facilitation; Comptroller Aliyu Alkali of Port Harcourt Area II Command for industrial trade facilitation and revenue generation; Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku of Port Harcourt Area I Command for export promotion and trade facilitation; Comptroller Usman Yahaya of Ibeto Area V Seaport Command for revenue generation and operational efficiency; and Comptroller Olusola Akingbade of Ogun II Area Command for promoting transparency and trade facilitation.

Others are Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, for excellence in anti-smuggling operations and border security; Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, Acting Controller of Kano/Jigawa Area Command, for trade facilitation and economic security; and Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, Acting Controller of Oyo/Osun Area Command, for excellence in revenue generation and trade facilitation.

Ogbuokiri

Explaining the rationale behind the awards, Ogbuokiri said the recipients were carefully selected based on measurable achievements, innovation, professionalism and commitment to national development.

“We are honouring officers whose leadership has produced tangible results in revenue generation, trade facilitation, border security, anti-smuggling operations and institutional reforms. Their commitment to professionalism and excellence has strengthened the Nigeria Customs Service and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.

According to him, MARCON remains committed to recognising outstanding public servants whose dedication continues to advance the maritime industry and inspire higher standards of service delivery.

The conference is expected to attract the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, OGFZA, terminal operators, shipping companies, maritime lawyers, investors and other stakeholders.

Participants will examine practical strategies for leveraging Special Economic Zones to boost investment, improve trade competitiveness, strengthen maritime infrastructure and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.