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Proposed law to empower Nigerian Shippers’ Council as economic regulator excites Barr. Akutah 

—— pledges Council’s commitment to diversification of Nigeria’s economy 
Funso Olojo 
The on- going move by the National Assembly to give legal teeth to the status of the Nigerian Shippers’Council as the economic regulator of the maritime industry has received full support of the Council which is working assiduously to ensure the process succeeds.
Ventilating the desire of the Council over the bill that will transmute the agency to a brand new body called Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory agency, Barrister Pius Akutah Ukeyima, the Executive Secretary of NSC said the agency is a strong advocate for  the transformation.
The position of the Council was in sharp contrast with the thinking of a select stakeholders in the industry under the eagis of Maritime Advocacy Foundation which has mounted a media campaign against the proposed legislative move.
The group, in its apparent misconception and misinterpretation of the motive of the legislative process to transmute the council to
Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory agency, had declared, through its Head of Publicity, Dr Eugene Nweke, that the proposed Act will negate the interests of Nigerian Shippers which the NSC was created to protect.
However, Barrister Akutah, while on a two- day tour of Eastern ports with his management team, reiterated the position of the council in support of the legislative process.
“The council  is advocating  for the bill which would transform the agency into Nigerian  Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency” Barr Akutah told his audience in Port Harcourt.
It would be recalled that the Committee on Shipping Services in the House of Representatives has slated a public hearing on the bill for  Monday , May 27th, 2024 that will repeal the NSC Act 2004 and  replace it with Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory agency, which seeks to legalise the new status of the Council as an Economic Regulator.
However, according to Barr. Akutah, NSC as Port Economic Regulator is  working with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on port automation in order to reduce human contacts and to clearance of cargo procedures and processes seamless.
The NSC boss declared that the Council was working assiduously towards actualisation of Federal Government commitment to prioritizing the non oil sector diversification.
The visit gave the Council’s boss the opportunity to inspect Bua Port Terminal at Rivers Port, Onne Multipurpose Terminal and West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) , in Rivers State, respectively.

According to the Executive Secretary, the Federal Government is committed to making Nigeria investment hub  for investors in the country, pointing out that the issue of rail connectivity will help to reduce the cost of haulage transportation.

Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection of the facilities, the Executive Secretary said that the essence of the visit was to have an on-the spot assessment of the facilities of the terminal operators.

Given the Council’s mission at the terminal, Barr. Akutah said the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for investors in the country, as such the need to constantly visit the ports and engage the stakeholders in trade facilitation which is in line with Mr. President’s vision on Ease of Doing Business.

After the facility tours of the ports and terminals, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’Council., Barr. Akutah  also had an interactive session with major stakeholders operating at the Eastern Ports.

In his opening remarks, the ES/CEO  said the essence of the interaction session with stakeholders is to listen to the challenges that  are facing their business in- order to proffer solutions to them.

He  harped on the  benefit of stakeholders’ engagement and promised to ensure  the continuity of its collaboration with stakeholders operating at the ports.

Barr. Akutah said the Federal Government is committed to creating an  enabling environment for businesses to strive by addressing decayed infrastructure at the ports.

He promised that the Eastern ports would not be left out in the FG’s effort to address the decay infrastructure.

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Headlines

Tantita gifts military 15 gun boats to enhance security surveillance on Nigeria’s waters 

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
 In a bid to further decapitate the capacity of pirates and armed robbers  at  sea, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, has donated 15 sophisticated and high- caliber gun boats to Nigerian Armed Forces.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is a private security company headquartered in Effurun, Delta State, specializing in protecting Nigeria’s vital oil and gas infrastructure through pipeline protection, paramilitary escort, and advanced surveillance operations.
The commissioning ceremony took place at the Nigerian Navy Boatyard in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, May 14th, 2026.
The company handed over seven gun boats to the Nigeria Army while the Nigeria Navy got eight gun boats.
The vessels are expected to enhance joint operations against oil theft, piracy, and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta and coastal waters.
The event featured military officials, representatives of Tantita Security Services, and dignitaries from Rivers State government.
The commissioning underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways.
Officials emphasized that the deployment of these gun boats will strengthen surveillance, rapid response, and deterrence against criminal activities threatening national economic assets.
Nigeria’s maritime domain has long been vulnerable to illegal bunkering, smuggling, and piracy.
By equipping both the Army and Navy with modern gun boats, Tantita Security Services aims to reinforce the military’s operational readiness and ensure safer navigation for commercial and civilian vessels.
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Headlines

APMT pledges fresh $600m investment to boost terminal operations at Apapa port.

Funso OLOJO,  Editor
The APM Terminals has pledged a fresh investment portfolio of $600m to shore up its terminal operations at the Apapa Port.
The Dutch company operates the largest container terminals in the West African sub- regional at Apapa port.
The Regional President, APM Terminals Africa-Europe, Igor van den Essen, disclosed this when he led other executives, including Head of Investments, APM Terminals, Martijn Van Dongen, and CEO, APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, to meet with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
Igor van den Essen said the proposed investments will be deployed in Apapa port modernisation, logistics infrastructure, and long-term private-sector investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
President Tinubu welcomed the investments, emphasising that Nigeria is repositioning itself for greater competitiveness through ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure modernisation.
He said the country is determined to move beyond structural bottlenecks and outdated systems, stressing the need for advanced technology, faster cargo processing, and improved operational efficiency across the nation’s ports.
He emphasised that Nigeria possesses the market scale, talent base, and economic potential to support globally competitive maritime and logistics infrastructure investments and called on other investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s reform outcomes.
Earlier, Igor van den Essen lauded President Tinubu’s reform agenda and policy direction, which had strengthened investor confidence and created renewed momentum for long-term infrastructure investments.
He described Nigeria as a strategic stronghold within its African operations, referencing over 20 years of collaboration and substantial existing investments in the country’s port ecosystem.
He reaffirmed his company’s commitment to expanding investments in Nigeria and disclosed plans to support the development of world-class terminal infrastructure and technology-driven port operations.
He also commended President Tinubu for establishing the National Single Window (NSW), which has streamlined trade procedures, improved Customs coordination, and reduced delays in cargo clearance.
In another meeting with Winme Group executives, President Bola Tinubu called for deeper investment partnerships to unlock Nigeria’s opportunities in logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure development.
He stressed the need for integrated investments linking ports, transport systems, processing facilities, and export infrastructure to drive industrial growth and competitiveness.
The delegation expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term investment potential, having closely followed President Tinubu’s reforms.
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Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
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‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
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‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.
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‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.
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‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.
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‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.
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‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
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‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.
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‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.
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‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.
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‎“Technology changes processes  leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
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‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.
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‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.
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‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.
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‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.
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