Shippers’ Council Board inaugurated – The Nation Newspaper

The Federal Government has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in a move aimed at tightening oversight of port pricing, charges and service delivery to reduce the cost of doing business at the nation’s seaports.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, inaugurated the board yesterday in Abuja, charging members to drive accountability and regulatory reforms critical to improving port efficiency and the country’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.

Speaking at the inauguration, Oyetola said the constitution of the board, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects a renewed focus on governance and institutional effectiveness within the marine and blue economy.

He described the Shippers’ Council as central to ongoing efforts to rein in arbitrary charges and improve transparency across port operations, noting that effective economic regulation remains key to trade facilitation and logistics cost reduction.

“As the designated Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council occupies a critical position in promoting efficiency, fairness and transparency in port pricing, charges and service delivery,” Oyetola said.

The minister said persistent inefficiencies and high port charges undermine Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and raise logistics costs for manufacturers, exporters and importers, stressing that the new board must ensure regulatory decisions translate into measurable outcomes.

Oyetola tasked the board with providing strategic direction and policy guidance, while exercising vigilant oversight in line with statutory provisions. He urged members to work closely with the council’s management and ensure that board deliberations deliver concrete gains in trade facilitation and sector competitiveness.

“Every meeting and decision must deliver measurable outcomes in cost reduction, improved port performance and enhanced competitiveness,” he added.

The board is chaired by the former governor of Katsina State, Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Other members include the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah; Dr Emi Membere-Otaji, representing the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture

(NACCIMA); Mr John Aluya, representing the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Rt Hon Chiji Collins; Mrs Olufunmilayo Olaseinde; Dr Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed, representing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL); Hon Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Mrs Uzoamaka Okereke, representing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Responding on behalf of the board, Shema thanked President Tinubu for the appointment and pledged that members would discharge their responsibilities with professionalism and integrity.

“We are committed to providing effective oversight, strengthening regulatory efficiency and supporting initiatives that will enhance port performance and trade facilitation,” Shema said.

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He added that the board would work closely with the ministry and management of the council to deliver tangible outcomes for shippers and the wider economy.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council serves as the country’s port economic regulator, with responsibility for promoting efficiency, transparency and fairness in port operations, while protecting shippers’ interests and improving the overall maritime trade environment.