Oyetola inaugurates Shippers’ Council Board, pledges stronger port regulation

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday inaugurated the Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC), charging members to deliver strategic direction and enforce transparency in port operations.

Oyetola said the board, approved by President Bola Tinubu, reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to good governance and the maritime sector’s role as a catalyst for national economic transformation.

Oyetola

He added that the council, as port economic regulator, must cut business costs, protect shippers, and boost Nigeria’s regional and global competitiveness.

Speaking at the inauguration, Oyetola stated that the constitution of the Board, approved by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to good governance, institutional effectiveness, and the strategic repositioning of the maritime sector as a catalyst for national economic transformation.

The Minister emphasised that the NSC as the designated Port Economic Regulator, occupies a critical position in promoting efficiency, fairness, and transparency in port pricing, charges, and service delivery.

He noted that effective regulation remains essential to reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, facilitating trade, protecting the interests of shippers, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global commerce.

Dr Oyetola charged members of the newly inaugurated Board to provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and vigilant oversight in line with statutory provisions and government policies and assured the Board of the Ministry’s full support and collaboration, calling on members to justify the confidence reposed in them by the President and through integrity, discipline, and demonstrable results.

The Governing Board of the NSC is chaired by Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema, former Governor of Katsina State. Other members include Dr Akutah Pius, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council; Dr Emi Membere-Otaji, representative of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Mr John Aluya, representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Rt Hon Chiji Collins; Mrs Olufunmilayo Olaseinde; Dr Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed, representative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL); Hon Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Mrs Uzoamaka Okereke, representative of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Responding on behalf of the Board, the Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation in such a strategic capacity. He also thanked the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for the confidence reposed in the Board and for his visionary leadership in repositioning the sector.

Shema assured that the Board would discharge its responsibilities with dedication, professionalism, and integrity, and pledged its commitment to providing effective oversight, strengthening regulatory efficiency, and supporting initiatives that will enhance port performance, improve trade facilitation, and advance the national economic agenda.

He further assured that the Board would work in close collaboration with the Ministry and the Management of the Council to deliver tangible and sustainable results for Nigerian shippers and the wider economy.

Addressing journalists, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSC Dr Akutah Pius, said the Council is expecting a more productive engagement as the new board is inaugurated.

He stressed that the Council’s focus is on fast-tracking policies in the marine sector, developing the blue economy, and ensuring efficiency in port operations citing the NSC’s role as a port economic regulator which is crucial in balancing interests and generating revenue for the government.