Headlines

Who is afraid of Nigerian Shippers’ Council bill?

Funso Olojo

Over the years, Nigerian shippers have remained in the shackles of economic bondage of the imperialist foreign shipping companies and terminal operators.

These foreign service providers in the maritime industry have mindlessly exploited and extorted the hapless Nigerian shippers with reckless abandon.

At the drop of a hat and with no justification, they slam arbitrary charges on the shippers who are helpless due to proper regulations of the activities of these economic imperialists.

The Nigerian Shippers’Council, the agency of government which is supposed to protect the economic rights and interests of the exploited shippers, is helpless as it lacks legal powers to intervene and halt economic injustice freely being meted out to the Nigerian shippers.

At the dawn of port concession, the government came up with the idea of economic regulation of these service providers but failed to specify which of its agencies in the sector would assume the role.

This lack of policy direction created a space for rivalry between the Nigerian Shippers’Council and Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA)as the two agencies were then contesting for the role of economic regulator.

This further gave the impetus to the mindless exploitation of the shippers in the hands of the service providers who were having a field day while the NPA and NSC were busy slogging it out with themselves over who is the economic regulator.

However, in 2014, the matter was put to rest when the NSC was officially pronounced as the industry’s economic regulator.

However, that still didn’t solve the problem as the status was a mere pronouncement by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) without appropriate legal backing.

The service operators cashed in on this by further subjecting the Nigerian shippers to horrendous economic servitude.

The efforts of the NSC to intervene and bring sanity to the economic activities of these providers were roundly rebuffed and discountenanced.

More often than not, the directives of the economic regulator were observed in the breach and treated with ignominy.

The council was on several occasions dragged to court by the service providers who have become emboldened by the lack of proper legislation to give legal teeth to the status of economic regulator of the NSC.

The agency was often ignored and treated with disrespect by the service providers as the Council was laboriously striving to stamp its authority as the economic regulator with little or no success.

The aggrieved Shippers, who have become disillusioned by the lack of adequate protection from the council, have tagged the agency with demeaning sobriety as “the toothless bulldog”.

However, in 2024, there appeared a ray of hope in the skyline of the industry for the oppressed and harassed Shippers when a bill to give legal teeth to the economic regulator status of the Council was moved on the floor of the House of Representatives.

The sponsor of the bill, Alhaji Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House, sought to repeal the Nigerian Shippers’Council Act (Cap N133, LGN 2004) and 2010 and replace it with The Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Bill that will empower the Shippers’Council to regulate the services of service providers in the industry.

The bill, when passed, will liberate the Nigerian shippers from the economic shackles of the imperialist foreign service providers such as the terminal operators and shipping companies.

As expected, the bill torched the raw side of its antagonists who mounted opposition to its passage.

Serious efforts were made to frustrate the public hearing on the bill which was eventually held on May 27th, 2024 at the conference room of the Assembly complex.

A few days to the appointed day of the hearing, an emergency group which styled itself Maritime Advocacy Foundation, emerged and called a press conference where it put up a poor attempt to demonise the bill.

His head of Publicity, Dr Eugene Nweke, who is a respected stakeholder in the industry, canvassed opposition to the passage of the bill, saying it was against the interests of Nigerian Shippers.

Similarly and in quick succession, the Committee on Ports and Harbour, in political intrigue and manipulation, tried to stop the hearing when it announced its postponement.

Thank God for the alertness of well-meaning industry stakeholders as well as the members of the Committee on Shipping Services which stood their ground to thwart

the grand plan to detail the legislative process to transmute the council to more effective economic regulator.

Abdussamad Dasuki, the Chairman of the committee on Shipping Services who superintendent over the bill, allayed the fears of the stakeholders who were eager to end the impunity of the imperialist service providers.

The stakeholders were not fooled by the diversionary tactics of the antagonists of the bill as they thronged the venue of the public hearing, despite the purported postponement, as the event was successfully held on the appointed day.

The attendance was impressive.

The Council’s team was led by its Executive Secretary, Barr. Akutah Ukeyima, who led a powerful lobby group to the event.

Past Executive Secretaries of the agency such as Adebayo Sarumi and Barrister Hassan Bello were all on ground to lend helping hands to the actualisation of the bill.

Maritime stakeholders such as Prince Olayiwola Shittu were also on ground to lend their voices to the passage of the bill.

Curiously, Dr Eugene Nweke, the Publicity Head of the Maritime Advocacy Foundation, which opposed the bill, was also there.

More intriguing was his defence of the bill when speaking with journalists at the sideline of the public hearing.

Hear Dr Nweke, the Publicity head of MAF speak at the event

“This law is overdue for implementation in the Nigerian maritime industry.

“You need to know the number of charges that port users are levied unnecessarily by operators at the ports to know why we need such a law.

”Cargo owners have been at the mercy of port and shipping operators for years, with many losing billions of Naira to arbitrary charges that ought not be levied against them.

“If your cargoes get delayed inside the port for no fault of yours, you pay extra charges because your cargoes are spending extra days inside the ports.

” For example, when the Service provider handling the Customs server has issues, and the network is down, cargoes spend extra days inside the port because, without a network, Customs cannot process your consignment.

“The port terminal operator and the shipping company will slam additional charges on your cargoes because your cargoes stayed extra days inside the port even though they know you don’t have powers over when the Customs server is up and running.

“Another issue that we still battle over is when there are labour strikes nationwide and the ports are shut down.

“During such strikes, cargoes spend extra days inside the ports while vessels get delayed for weeks over such issues.

“After the labour strike is over and the ports are opened, cargo owners are slammed with all sorts of arbitrary charges from the shipping companies and the port terminal operators over the delays caused by the port shut down.

“Most often times, importers end up paying huge sums of money just to clear their cargoes from the ports because there is nobody to fight for them.

“But now, with the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill nearing fruition, there is hope for importers. There is hope for port users. The era of impunity in broad daylight with nobody to cry to looks like it’s coming to an end very soon.”

This statement, when juxtaposed with his press statement as the publicity head of MAF where he poured vituperation on the bill and its sponsors, leaves one wondering why the respected scholar was speaking from both sides of his mouth.

Nonetheless, it was obvious that the antagonists of the bill to emancipate the harangue Nigerian shippers are losing their battle as the bill enjoyed the overwhelming support of the stakeholders as the bill awaits the third reading before it is passed into law.

However, the stakeholders, especially the NSC, must not go to sleep as the vultures which seek to devour the bill before it matures into an Act are still prowling to launch possible last-minute surprise attacks.

The members of the Committee on Ports and Harbour, who tried to play the spoiler role, should be under surveillance while the members of the Committee on Shipping Services, who have acquitted themselves well so far on this legislative process to end the slavery of Nigerian Shippers from long years of subjugation to the imperialist exploitation and extortions, should also be monitored to guide against last-minute capitulation to the political manipulation and manovering of the antagonists.

Related Topics:featured Shippers Council bill

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Headlines

MARAN trains 20 members at shipping institute, pledges sustained capacity building

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has trained 20 of its members at the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN) in a renewed effort to deepen maritime journalists’ technical knowledge, strengthen professional competence and improve the quality of reporting on Nigeria’s shipping industry and emerging blue economy.

The Graduate Induction Training Programme, which ended on Saturday, October 10, 2026, exposed participants to the technical, regulatory, operational and environmental dimensions of the maritime industry.

Participants are expected to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Shipping upon successful completion of the programme.

The training covered critical areas, including maritime safety and security, integrated marine environment management, shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, as well as the marine and blue economy.

The initiative underscores MARAN’s determination to bridge the knowledge gap between maritime journalism and the technical realities of the shipping industry, equipping its members with the expertise required to report more accurately and analytically on developments across the sector.

Delivering the first lecture, a CISN lecturer, Mr Patrick Ambakederimo, examined the principles of maritime safety and security, highlighting their significance to efficient shipping operations, the protection of lives and property, and the sustainability of maritime activities.

He discussed the identification and management of risks associated with vessel operations, cargo handling and other maritime activities, emphasising the need for strict compliance with safety regulations, regular inspections, adequate crew training and effective emergency response mechanisms.

Participants were also exposed to the importance of intelligence sharing, effective surveillance, coordinated security operations and adherence to relevant international maritime security standards.

The lecture distinguished between maritime safety, which focuses on preventing accidents and operational hazards, and maritime security, which addresses deliberate threats, unlawful activities and other hostile acts within the maritime domain.

Another CISN lecturer, Mr Sunday Duru, delivered a lecture on integrated marine environment management, examining the need for coordinated strategies to protect marine and coastal ecosystems from the environmental pressures associated with shipping, port operations and coastal development.

Duru stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, maritime operators, environmental organisations, coastal communities and other stakeholders in addressing environmental challenges confronting the maritime industry.

He identified marine pollution, oil spills, improper waste disposal, plastic pollution and the degradation of coastal ecosystems as critical concerns requiring sustained attention.

He also highlighted the importance of environmental monitoring, pollution prevention, proper waste management and effective enforcement of environmental regulations in safeguarding Nigeria’s marine resources.

Other courses covered shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, and the marine and blue economy.

These sessions were designed to broaden participants’ understanding of the commercial and operational processes underpinning shipping and port activities, while exposing them to the economic opportunities available in fisheries, coastal tourism and other ocean-related industries.

Speaking on the initiative, MARAN President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to sustained capacity building as a strategy for producing a corps of maritime journalists equipped to report the industry with greater accuracy, depth and professionalism.

Onigbinde maintained that effective maritime journalism required more than the ability to gather information and write news reports, stressing that journalists must understand the policies, regulations, commercial transactions and operational processes that shape the industry.

According to him, a technically informed maritime press would be better positioned to interrogate policy decisions, scrutinise industry practices, hold stakeholders accountable and explain complex maritime issues to the public.

He said MARAN would sustain its professional development initiatives through strategic partnerships with maritime institutions, government agencies and private-sector operators, creating more opportunities for members to acquire specialised knowledge and practical industry experience.

The association, he added, would continue to explore training programmes that expose members to emerging trends in shipping, port operations, maritime security, international trade and the blue economy.

Onigbinde stressed that continuous professional development was essential to strengthening the credibility of maritime journalism and improving public understanding of the sector’s contribution to national economic growth.

He expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired by participants would translate into improved reporting, particularly in the coverage of port efficiency, shipping operations, maritime safety, environmental sustainability and government policies affecting the industry.

The training comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to improve port competitiveness, strengthen maritime security, promote environmental sustainability and unlock the economic potential of its marine resources.

For MARAN, the programme represents an investment not only in the professional development of its members but also in the quality of public discourse on the maritime industry.

By equipping journalists with a deeper understanding of the sector’s technical and commercial realities, the association hopes to promote more informed reporting, strengthen accountability and enhance public appreciation of the maritime industry’s role in Nigeria’s economic development.

Customs

MACI hails Customs’ anti-corruption framework, demands full implementation

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Media Anti-Corruption Initiative (MACI) has applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for introducing a comprehensive anti-corruption framework aimed at identifying institutional vulnerabilities, strengthening internal controls and promoting integrity across the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The initiative, which MACI described as a significant milestone in the fight against corruption within the Service, is anchored on three key documents signed by the Customs chief: the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Internal Corruption Risk Analysis and Mapping (ICRAM), the ICRAM Handbook and the Integrity Action Plan (IAP).

In a statement jointly signed by MACI President, Funso Olojo, and Project Coordinator, Lod Onyeji, the organisation described the development as a “pivotal moment in the fight against corruption within the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Mr Olojo, who commended the initiative of the Customs, noted that the stance of the agency on corruption is in alignment with the aims and objectives of MACI which is an advocate for corruption- free society.

The signing ceremony, held on October 6th, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, also witnessed the inauguration of the ICRAM Steering Committee, which is responsible for identifying, assessing and mapping corruption risks across the Service’s operations.

According to the statement, the framework represents a proactive institutional approach to tackling corruption by identifying vulnerabilities in Customs processes and establishing measures to prevent abuse of office, improve accountability and strengthen public confidence in the Service.

The Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, disclosed that the framework was developed in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and partner administrations, including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom.

He explained that the documents provide practical guidance for Customs officers operating at seaports, land borders and airports, equipping them with procedures and controls designed to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

MACI noted that the introduction of the framework followed a pilot programme conducted across seven Customs Commands and Units, covering 66 processes spanning regulatory activities, core Customs operations and support functions.

The exercise culminated in the development of a comprehensive Integrity Action Plan containing 101 action items and 295 sub-actions designed to address identified corruption risks and strengthen institutional safeguards.

Key measures outlined in the plan include increased automation and improved audit trails, stronger supervisory mechanisms, clearer accountability structures, effective segregation of duties, regular staff rotations and targeted training programmes.

The framework also seeks to strengthen controls governing interactions between Customs officers and stakeholders, an area considered critical to reducing opportunities for corrupt practices and improving compliance with established procedures.

MACI commended the Customs leadership for adopting a risk-based approach to corruption prevention, noting that identifying and addressing institutional weaknesses before they are exploited is essential to building a transparent and accountable public institution.

The organisation, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the initiative would ultimately depend on the consistent implementation of the prescribed measures across all commands and operational units of the Service.

It therefore urged Customs management, officers, stakeholders and relevant partner institutions to support the full implementation of the framework to ensure that the initiative delivers measurable improvements in institutional integrity.

MACI expressed confidence that effective implementation of the ICRAM framework and Integrity Action Plan would strengthen internal controls, reduce corruption risks, promote ethical conduct and enhance public trust in the Nigeria Customs Service.

The organisation emphasised that the new framework should not merely remain a collection of policy documents but should translate into tangible changes in operational practices, staff conduct and the overall culture of accountability within the Service.

Headlines

NIMASA flaunts automation process of Nigerian ship registry at 2- day webinar with stakeholders

Funso OLOJO Editor

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will host a two-part stakeholder webinar on October 6 and 8, 2026, to showcase the ongoing automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry as part of efforts to modernise ship registration services and enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag.

The webinars will provide shipowners, operators, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers and other stakeholders with insights into the new digital registration platform and its potential to significantly improve the speed, transparency and efficiency of ship registration and related services.

The automated system is designed to enable 24/7 access to registration services, streamline application and approval processes, and facilitate faster issuance of electronic certificates, thereby reducing administrative delays associated with conventional paper-based procedures.

A key feature of the platform is its capacity to provide secure, real-time tracking of ship mortgages and related registry transactions. This will strengthen transparency and provide greater visibility for stakeholders, including financial institutions and other parties involved in vessel financing.

The automation initiative is also expected to make interaction with the Nigerian Ship Registry more seamless for local and international shipowners, while improving the Agency’s ability to deliver efficient, responsive and globally competitive flag-state services.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the automation of the Ship Registry was part of the Agency’s broader commitment to transforming the Nigerian flag and creating an enabling environment for increased participation in the global shipping industry.

“The automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry represents a significant step in our commitment to providing efficient, transparent and globally competitive services to shipowners and other maritime stakeholders.

“Our objective is to make the Nigerian flag more accessible, responsive and attractive through technology-driven processes that meet international standards,” Mobereola declared.

The ongoing user-testing phase is focused on validating the platform’s functionality, security and user experience ahead of its official deployment.

NIMASA said the webinars would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the platform, experience its key features and provide feedback as the Agency moves towards full implementation.

The Agency is inviting shipowners, ship managers, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers, legal practitioners, classification societies and other interested stakeholders to participate in the webinars.