Akutah bags special achiever award, says more work lies ahead

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Akutah Pius, MON, has received a Special Achiever Award, pledging to strengthen the agency’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.

Akutah received the award from the Head of the SERVICOM Unit, Mrs Esther Nanle, at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos during the 2025 CEO and SERVICOM Awards.

He described the recognition as a collective achievement of the management and staff of the former Nigerian Shippers’ Council, now transitioned into NPERA as the economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector.

“This award is a recognition of the collective efforts we have all made. It is not the achievement of one individual, but the collective accomplishment of all of us,” he said.

The NPERA chief executive dedicated the award to the agency’s staff, supporters and stakeholders who had advocated the establishment of a dedicated economic regulator for the port industry.

He also extended the honour to Nigerians, particularly individuals and businesses whose livelihoods depend on activities within the maritime and port economy.

According to him, the establishment of NPERA is intended to contribute positively to national economic growth, making the agency’s performance critical to the realisation of that objective.

Akutah said the recognition should inspire greater commitment among staff at the headquarters and across the agency’s offices nationwide, urging them to remain focused on their responsibilities.

He stressed that the law establishing the agency was designed to improve performance in the port sector and promote economic development, adding that its success must ultimately be measured by the positive impact of its activities on the economy.

“Consequently, this award is not merely a recognition of our achievements; it is also a reminder that there is still more work to be done,” he said.

“For me personally, this award is a call to duty and a wake-up call to do more for the Nigerian economy. Going forward, expectations will be higher, and we must do everything possible to live up to them,” he added.

Akutah’s remarks place the emphasis on translating the recognition into improved service delivery and tangible economic outcomes as NPERA assumes its role as the statutory economic regulator of the port sector.

The agency’s mandate includes economic regulation aimed at promoting fairness, efficiency and the protection of port users’ interests, with the broader objective of supporting a more competitive maritime industry.