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

Edward Osagie, NIMASA spokesman, shines at 2025 National Spokespersons’ Awards in Abuja

–— emerges outstanding spokesperson in Marine and Blue Economy sector

Funso OLOJO

Edward Omoruyi Osagie, the deep and baritone voiced spokesman for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has been crowned as the most outstanding spokesperson in the Marine and Blue economy sector.

Osagie, with a benign mien, emerged the best in this category during the Award ceremony of the 2025 edition of the “National Spokespersons’ Awards(NSAwards) held on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 at Abuja Continental Hotel.

62 finalists were shortlisted for recognition across 21 competitive categories in this year’s edition of the competition.

Three spokespersons in the maritime industry participated in the final of the Award ceremony.

They included Edward Osagie, the Head of Pubic Relations Department of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication Department of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) and Muyiwa Akande, Head of Public Relations unit of Sifax Group.

Osagie of NIMASA emerged a finalist in three categories which include Spokesperson of the year which happens to be the lead category, Outstanding spokesperson (crisis management – pubic sector) and Marine and Blue economy sector.

Olumuyiwa Akande also featured as a finalist in two categories such as Spokesperson of the year category and Marine and Blue Economy sector.

Onyemekara of NPA features as a finalist in the Marine and Blue economy sector.

However, at the final section, Osagie beat all the contestants in the Marine and Blue economy category to emerge a winner.

In other categories, the Head, Media and Publicity Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewale, a Deputy Commander of the EFCC, emerged Outstanding Federal Government Spokesperson of the Year, 2025.

Oyewale emerged winner in a highly competitive category that included Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga and Josephine Adokuru Mudasiru of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA.

The Chairman of the award’s Adjudication Committee, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, while commending the nominees, emphasized that the selection process was rigorous and driven by merit.

Oyewale stood out for his infusion of finesse in strategic communication, skillful workmanship, impactful media engagements and consistency in the excellent projection of the EFCC’s image and in enhancing public understanding of the Commission’s mandate and activities.

Other winners from other categories include: Olufemi Soneye (NNPCL) as Distinguished Spokesperson of the Year (Oil and Gas), Nigerian Customs Service as Best Corporate Spokesperson Team, Kashifu Inuwa (NITDA) as Most Supportive CEO to Spokespersons (Public Sector), Femi Babafemi (NDLEA) as Outstanding Spokesperson (Security Services).

Soneye (NNPCL) beat ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of Nigeria Police, Igo Weli-Shell Petroleum, Olumuyiwa Akande, SIFAX Group and Osagie Edward-NIMASA to emerge Spokesperson of the Year.

In his remarks, Joshua Audu Gana, Member House of Representatives congratulated the organizers for identifying and rewarding the outstanding communicators across various sectors.

He lauded the winners for their professionalism and devotion and urged them to continue to strive for excellence in the roles they play.

The Special Guest of Honour, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, emphasized the need for institutions and organizations to involve spokespersons in policy formulation and decision-making processes, noting that spokespersons should be equipped with first-hand knowledge of key issues so as to enhance their effective and accurate public communication.

The National Spokespersons Awards is Nigeria’s foremost platform for celebration of excellence in public relations, strategic communication, and media management.

The award is an annual celebration of individuals and organizations that demonstrate professionalism, innovation, and impactful public communication.

Customs

Agricultural produce tops exports of 11,459 containers worth $986.4m through Apapa port in three months

Funso OLOJO / Gloria Odion

The export initiative programme of the present government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually gathering momentum as 11, 459 containers of export goods passed through Apapa ports in the first quarter of 2025.

This export goods were 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the corresponding period of 2024.

The export goods, facilitated by the Lilypond export command of the Nigeria Customs service, was worth a whooping sum of $986.4m.

This amount was 300 per cent higher than $236.087m total value of exports which passed through the command in the corresponding period of 2024.

These figures showed an increase of $750.357m representing over 318 percent improvement in value over the corresponding period of 2024.

Addressing the press in his office while giving account of the export activities in the first quarter of 2025, Area Controller of the Lilypond export terminal, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, revealed that agricultural products of 2723 containers valued at $596.887m topped the pack.

This was followed by manufactured goods of $134.649m, solid minerals of $87.498 m and other category of exports valued at $18.156m.

“On the volume of trade, the command handled a total of 11,459 containers in the first three months of 2025 which is 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the first quarter of 2024

“We classified the exports into four Agricultural products, manufactured products, solid minerals and others.

“Agricultural produce forms the highest with a total value of $596.887.111.51. This was followed by manufactured goods, which amounted to $329,915,256.,6, while solid minerals were 550,149,763.41. Others amounted to $9,488,166.26.

Agricultural produce for the first quarter of last year was $542,916.347.5,7 manufactured goods $134,649,364,25, solid minerals $87,498,802,44 and others $18,156,786.87.

“In the first quarter of 2025, our cumulative export value amounted to $986,440,397,78. This is more than 300 per cent higher than the $2.36,087,888.53 total value of exports through this command in the first quarter of 2024.

“Comparatively, this shows an increase of $750,352,509.25 representing over 318 per cent improvement in the value.”

Compt. Odusanya stated that the command recorded N7.13 billion under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS).

He also disclosed that the command strengthened collaboration with exporters by operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.

“Under NESS, which is a statutory payment to the Federal Government on all legitimate goods exported from Nigeria, the command recorded N7,131,463,779.25.

“The Q1 2025 NESS is almost 0.9 per cent higher than the N7,067,351,977.1 recorded under the scheme through our command performance in the first three months of 2024.

“The NCS as a service and the command in particular cannot work in isolation.

” We have always maintained robust engagements with our critical stakeholders and worked strategically with sister government agencies like the NDLEA, SON, NAQS, Police, NAFDAC and others.”

“In addition to collaborating with sister government agencies, I have strengthened our relationship with exporters through operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.”

“I am pleased to announce that user experiences of the LEXC under my watch have continually improved with the prospects of attracting more exporters to the Command and thereby contribute in no small way, the federal government drive for economic diversification through Export.

“Some Nigerian Exporters were among those celebrated by the service three months ago during the formal launch of the authorized economic operator (AED) scheme. For us, this is a testament to the growth of export in the country, especially those using Lagos ports to ship out their goods,” Compt. Odusanya declared.

Headlines

Stakeholders caution Nigeria over currency swap deal with China

— as CBN lists gains of trade policy

Gloria Odion

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has described the Nigeria-China currency swap deal as a transformative policy instrument that could significantly reduce shipping costs, enhance trade efficiency, and ease foreign exchange pressure in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting organized by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, stated that the agreement—originally signed in 2018 and recently renewed in December 2024—enables Nigerian and Chinese businesses to conduct trade directly in naira and renminbi, bypassing the U.S. dollar.

“The swap agreement simplifies the settlement of trade transactions in local currencies and reduces the pressure on Nigeria’s dollar reserves.

” This, in turn, lowers the cost of doing business and enhances the competitiveness of Nigerian trade,” Cardoso said.

The CBN Governor, who was represented by Mr Anthony Ogufere, Special Adviser to CBN Governor on Finance and Strategy, noted that China had become Nigeria’s largest trading partner by the end of 2024, accounting for about 35% of total imports and reaching a trade volume of $11.58 billion.

He added that the maritime sector, which handles the majority of Nigeria’s import and export activities, stands to benefit immensely through faster port clearance, improved trade finance instruments, and direct shipping links such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port—a Chinese-backed infrastructure project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

However, the CBN Governor acknowledged that several challenges still hinder the full potential of the currency swap framework.

Chief among them is Nigeria’s significant trade imbalance with China and the limited adoption of yuan-denominated transactions by Nigerian businesses.

He called for greater sensitization, policy coordination, and efforts to expand non-oil exports to China.

The CBN governor also acknowledged the fact that the currency swap deal is not yet popular among Nigerian business owners due to sparse sensitization and mobilisation of the business community.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Martins Olajide, a representative of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, presented a paper that offered a more cautious outlook.

He noted that while the swap deal provides short-term relief and smoother trade operations, it is not a sustainable solution to the naira’s persistent depreciation.

Describing the swap arrangement as “swapization,” Olajide warned that Nigeria’s economic vulnerability and dependence on imports—especially from China—undermines the true impact of the agreement.

He emphasized the need for structural reforms, particularly in industrialization, value addition, and local production.

“Without these changes, the swap deal may only reinforce economic dependence on China without solving the underlying issues,” he said.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event and Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council (CCC), Aare Akeem Olarenwaju, decried the volatility of the naira-dollar exchange rate as a major cause of the skyrocketing cost of goods in Nigeria.

He called for greater public awareness of alternative currency options like the Chinese yuan.

“You can’t determine the price of goods within a few hours due to constant exchange rate changes.

“Today it’s ₦1,600 to a dollar, and in the next few hours, it could be ₦1,700 or ₦1,500. It’s the common people who suffer the most,” Olarenwaju lamented.

He commended the organizers for opening up conversations around trade, currency, and maritime development, urging media professionals to help educate the public on alternatives that could reduce the nation’s dependence on the U.S. dollar.

Earlier in his welcome address, MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting dialogue on key economic issues.

While acknowledging the swap deal’s promise in reducing transaction costs and enhancing trade efficiency, Bivbere stressed the need for a balanced discourse.

“We are not only here to applaud progress but also to interrogate policy.

” We must understand both the positive impact and the underlying risks associated with China’s expanding economic footprint in Nigeria,” he said.

Bivbere urged stakeholders across the maritime, trade, and financial sectors to approach the Nigeria-China currency swap with critical insight, noting that sustainable benefits would only come through policies that protect national economic interests while encouraging growth and competitiveness.