Shippers’ Council Must Drive Port Efficiency, Economic Competitiveness—Ministry

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy on Thursday said the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) plays a strategic role in ensuring that Nigeria’s ports serve as engines of economic growth rather than obstacles to trade and commerce.

This was disclosed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Hajia Fatima Mahmood, during the Council’s 2026 Strategic Management Retreat titled, “Advancing Strategic Execution: Driving Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence for a Future-Ready NSC,” held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Mahmood also charged the Council to strengthen port cost monitoring systems, improve dispute resolution mechanisms, enhance data analytics for regulatory oversight, and streamline stakeholder engagement processes.

“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council occupies a pivotal position within Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem. As the Port Economic Regulator, the Council bears the responsibility of promoting efficiency, fairness and competitiveness within our port system.

In doing so, you are not only protecting the interests of shippers but also safeguarding Nigeria’s broader economic and trade interests. To strengthen strategic execution, the Council must continue to deepen collaboration with terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders, regulatory agencies and the private sector.

“Effective stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance and institutional trust will remain essential drivers for improving port efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime trade,” she stated.

Speaking further, Mahmood urged staff members of the Council to work collaboratively to achieve organisational goals, warning that institutional silos weaken effective implementation.

“Effective execution of the Council’s mandate also requires strong collaboration within the organisation and the strategic deployment of technology. Organisational silos weaken implementation. Cross-departmental synergy, shared performance targets and clear communication channels are essential for delivering results and achieving institutional excellence.

“I am particularly pleased that the Council has introduced the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS). This initiative will significantly improve workflow efficiency, strengthen institutional memory, enhance transparency in official processes and support data-driven decision-making across the organisation.”

Earlier in his remarks, the executive Secretary of the Council, Dr Pius Akutah, disclosed that the proposed salary review for staff of the Council has already received approval from the Ministry and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

“Institutional transformation must also be supported by improved staff welfare and motivation. I am pleased to inform you that the proposed salary review for staff of the Council has already received approval from the Ministry and the OHCSF.

“The proposal is currently undergoing vetting and clearance by the Budget Office of the Federation, after which it will be considered by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for final approval before implementation.

“Management remains optimistic that the process will soon be concluded. In addition, several welfare improvements have been introduced, including: Upward review of the Children Education Grant to per term; introduction of Health and Social Club allowances; and introduction of Proficiency Allowances to encourage professional development,” he said.

Akutah further explained that the theme of the Council’s retreat highlights three strategic imperatives that must guide the next phase of the Council’s institutional development.
According to him, the credibility and authority of a regulator ultimately depend on the professionalism, integrity and performance of its people.

“Collaboration because no regulatory institution can operate effectively in isolation within a complex maritime ecosystem. Innovation, because the dynamics of global trade and logistics require institutions that are adaptive, technology-driven and forward-looking and excellence, because the credibility and authority of a regulator ultimately depend on the professionalism, integrity and performance of its people.

“These three pillars must therefore shape how we think, how we lead and how we execute our responsibilities as an institution.”

The Shippers’ Council boss also explained why the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill has yet to receive presidential assent from President Bola Tinubu.
He noted that during the review process, certain provisions in the bill were found to conflict with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, but said the issue has now been resolved.

“One of the most important institutional developments currently before us is the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill. As you are aware, the Bill had earlier been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for Presidential assent.

During the review process, however, certain provisions were observed to conflict with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025. In line with the observations communicated.

The President returned the Bill to the National Assembly for the necessary corrections.

“I am pleased to inform you that the House of Representatives has addressed the areas of conflict, amended the Bill in line with the President’s comments, and passed the revised version, which is now awaiting concurrence of the Senate.

Once assented to, this legislation will provide the statutory foundation for strengthening Nigeria’s port economic regulatory framework and further reposition the Council for its expanded mandate.”

Declaring the retreat open, the Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, said the Governing Board under his leadership remains fully committed to providing the policy direction required to support management in achieving the national goals set for the ministry.

“On our part as the Governing Board, we shall strive to make available to you the enabling environment, through formulating policies that would assist you in ensuring that the organization’s aims, objectives and set goals are achieved even as we all work towards providing shipping and port services providers and users with top-notch services in the marine and blue economy sector.

The Governing Board under my watch, will explore every means necessary to see that the Bill is passed and presidential assent is secured within the shortest possible time,” the former Katsina governor said.