The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has commenced its 2026 Strategic Management Retreat aimed at strengthening collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The 4 – day retreat themed “Advancing Strategic Execution: Driving Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence for a Future-Ready NSC.”, is holding from 4th to 7th March, 2026, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking during the retreat, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, CON, highlighted the strategic role of the maritime sector in achieving Nigeria’s economic development goals.
According to him, the Council remains committed to supporting the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in driving policies that will unlock the full potential of the sector.
He explained that Nigeria’s over 850-kilometer coastline, extensive inland waterways, and vast marine resources provide enormous opportunities for economic expansion.
He added that strategic investments in port infrastructure, shipping services, fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy, and coastal tourism could generate millions of jobs and significantly increase Nigeria’s contribution to global maritime trade.
Dr. Shema stressed that collaboration between the Governing Board, management staff, and industry stakeholders is critical to achieving the Council’s objectives.
He noted that the organization will continue to promote policies that encourage innovation, efficiency, and strategic partnerships within the maritime ecosystem.
He also urged staff members to maintain professionalism and institutional discipline, particularly in handling internal grievances, warning that public airing of internal matters could undermine the credibility of the Council.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Mahmood, represented by the Director, Research, Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim, commended Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s management for hosting the retreat at a time when Nigeria’s maritime sector is undergoing significant transformation and unassuming greater strategic relevance.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, she said, is pivotal in the nation’s maritime sector in the execution of its regulatory mandate aimed at promoting the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports.
She called on the Council to ensure continuous engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, gave reasons why the awaited Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill is yet to be signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite being transmitted by the National Assembly last year.
Akutah disclosed that the President returned the bill to the National Assembly because certain provisions conflicted with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025. “As you are aware, the Bill had earlier been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for Presidential assent.
During the review process, however, certain provisions were observed to conflict with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025”. Therefore, the Bill was returned to the National Assembly for necessary corrections”.
The NSC boss informed that the House of Representatives had already corrected the conflicting areas and that the revised version is now awaiting concurrence from the Senate.
