By Foster Obi
Picture: Group photograph of the Governing Board and Management of Nigerian Shippers’ Council during the inaugural meeting at the Council’s Headquarters, Lagos
The Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has pledged full support for the Council’s management in helping the Federal Government achieve an economic growth rate of at least seven per cent by 2027–2028, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s broader ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
The Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, gave the assurance in Lagos at the inaugural meeting of the newly inaugurated board, describing the task ahead as a national call to service that would require discipline, commitment, and close collaboration between the board, management, and key stakeholders in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
Shema, a former Governor of Katsina State, said the Shippers’ Council, working with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, was strategically positioned to support the President’s economic vision through policies and initiatives that unlock trade efficiency, strengthen regulation, and deepen private sector confidence.
“It is of significant importance that the Shippers’ Council and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy are determined to support the President’s vision of a one-trillion-dollar economy and seven per cent growth,” he said. “The Council, the Board, and management are hereby called to service. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
He stressed that realising Nigeria’s blue economy potential would demand collective effort, noting that the maritime sector remains critical to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and overall economic competitiveness.
According to him, the Board will prioritise initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business at the ports, facilitating trade and commerce, enhancing revenue mobilisation, and strengthening collaboration across the real economy and the maritime value chain.
“As demonstrated by the presentation we received this morning, there is a clear need for collective effort if the country is to move towards its full potential in the blue economy sector,” Shema added.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, said a strong and collaborative relationship between the Board and management would be critical to delivering tangible institutional and financial outcomes for the NSC.
Akutah outlined key priorities requiring the Board’s strategic guidance, including the actualisation of the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill, the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), and the operationalisation of the one per cent Freight Stabilisation Fee.
“These initiatives are critical to strengthening regulatory clarity, improving cargo visibility, enhancing national security, and securing sustainable revenue for the Council,” he said.
While acknowledging the scale of the task ahead, Akutah noted that the current moment also presents an opportunity to reposition the NSC as a financially resilient and institutionally stronger port economic regulator.
“Management is fully committed to supporting the Board with robust data, sound financial analysis, and structured stakeholder engagement to ensure that all initiatives are pursued in a lawful, transparent, and stakeholder-responsive manner,” he said.
He expressed confidence that with the guidance of the newly constituted Board, the Council would continue to protect shippers’ interests, promote efficient port operations, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Describing the inaugural meeting as a landmark in the Council’s history, Akutah said the calibre of the Board gives renewed optimism that the NSC’s strategic objectives will be effectively realised.
Display picture: L-R, Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council in a warm handshake with His Excellency, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, Chairman, Governing Board, at the inaugural meeting of the Governing Board of Nigerian Shippers’ Council at the Council’s Headquarters, Lagos
