Shippers’ Council highlights reforms to tackle delays, high costs at Nigerian ports

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving operational efficiency at Nigerian ports through sustained regulatory reforms aimed at reducing logistics costs, enhancing transparency, and strengthening Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, made this known during the 25th Anniversary and Award Conferment Ceremony of Maritime Watch Newspaper held in Ikeja, Lagos.

The event, themed “Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Costs in Nigerian Ports Through Shippers’ Council’s Regulatory Framework,” brought together key stakeholders in the maritime sector to assess the impact of regulatory interventions on port operations.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Standard Services Division, Ms. Adaora Nwonu, Akutah said the maritime sector remains a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy, with ports serving as major gateways for trade, investment, and economic growth.

He noted that efficient port operations are essential to lowering logistics costs, improving export performance, and boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

According to him, persistent inefficiencies within the port system continue to trigger delays, raise transaction costs, and weaken investor confidence, underscoring the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and sustained reforms.

Akutah said the Federal Government’s designation of the NSC as Port Economic Regulator in 2015 has helped restore order, fairness, and transparency in the maritime sector through strategic regulatory interventions and stakeholder engagement.

He highlighted several initiatives introduced by the Council to improve trade facilitation and port efficiency, including the promotion of Inland Dry Ports, Vehicle Transit Areas, Border Information Centres, digitalisation of port processes, the National Single Window project, and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The NSC boss also stressed the need for stronger digital integration, improved data sharing, and regulatory compliance among port operators to achieve seamless cargo movement and better service delivery across Nigerian ports.

Speaking on the role of the media in supporting reforms, Nwonu called for stronger partnership between the Council and journalists to deepen public awareness of ongoing innovations in the maritime industry.

“With the media’s wide reach, we need their support in disseminating our activities, reforms, and innovations to the public. This will keep stakeholders informed and provide valuable feedback that can help shape policies and decision-making for collective progress,” she said.

She added that greater visibility for the Council’s regulatory efforts would help strengthen stakeholder confidence and drive broader industry participation in ongoing port reforms.