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Shippers’ Council set to implement ICTN tariff regime to shore up revenue base

 Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The last is yet to be heard of the controversial International Cargo Tracking Note(ICTN) programme as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has vowed to commence its implementation in 2026.
It could be recalled that the implementation of the mandatory cargo pre-arrival document has faced persistent delays due to sustained opposition from freight forwarders who believed it’s implementation will be an added financial burden on port operators.
However, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, has disclosed that the agency will commence its implementation in 2026.
While fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the 2026 NSC Management Retreat in Abeokuta, Akutah said the implementation has become necessary and non- negotiable in view of the paucity of funds that has so far hobbled the operational capacity of the Council.
He said the agency could barely survive on government subvention, adding that it was high time the council became self – funding.
“One of the challenges we have as an organization is funding but it is not a challenge that is peculiar to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
“Most of the things that we intend to do, we need funding for them. The funding is not so adequate, but it’s enough for us to keep moving forward.
“And then we intend to implement the
International Cargo Tracking Note which we have been engaging with stakeholders.
“You know that it has a long history of failed implementation.
“This time around, the minister wants to get it right.
“We are a revenue -generating agency of government, and we intend to generate revenue because it’s important for agencies to generate revenue for the purpose of funding the activities.
“At the moment, we are funding ourselves on the, I mean, funding that is just not being generated by us.
“So we want to be able to generate our funding as stipulated in our law. One
percent of the  total package will be able to implement that” he declared.
The NSC boss disclosed that the implementation could had commenced in the second quarter of 2025  but for the failure of the council to set up the collection mechanism in the last year budget.
“Last year, we’re putting the budget, but we’re not able to set up the collection mechanism.
“We are discussing with stakeholders to see how it’s going to be in 2026 when we are able to set up that collection
mechanism.” he declared.
Akutah continued ” It’s not a new charge that is coming in  the system. We have also done our own cost-benefit analysis, and we have seen that in the long run, it will be of much tremendous benefits to us to collect that, because even if we look at the Royal Canadian Panel report, what it says about the majority of us, Shippers’ Councils is that the Council is needed as an agency to take care of the port regulatory structure, but then that the Council should fund itself.
“So we have a funding line.
We need to be able to follow that. So that we can be able to fund the Council on our  own” he asserted.
The council is planning to become self – funding through various sources which include one percent freight stabilisation fee(often referred to as the 1% freight levy), which is set to be implemented upon the passage of the Nigerian Shipping and Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) bill.
On the implementation of the ICTN, the following charges are to be collected by the Council which include $25 per unit of containers, $10 per unit of RORO vessels, $0.2 per unit of Break Bulk Cargos, $1 per freight ton of Conventional/ Group age Cargoes and $0.1 per ton of Crude oil Export.
Empty Containers / Non- Oil Exports attract no fee.
The council said these fees are meant to enhance its efficiency and transparency in the maritime sector.
The International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is a mandatory document for all cargo shipments to Nigeria that will enable the Shippers’ council to track and secure maritime trade.
It requires detailed cargo information (Bill of Lading, Invoice, etc.) for validation, preventing cargo delays or heavy fines.
It enhances security and provides data for Nigerian  ports.
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Akutah urges service providers, freight forwarders to sheathe sword, return to negotiation table over tariff increase dispute

Gloria Odion, Abeokuta

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council,  Pius Akutah, has admonished the service providers and the freight forwarders to resolve their differences amicably over the dispute arising from tariff hike.

It could be recalled that the two parties have been at loggerhead over the matter, following the approval granted by the NSC for tariff increase.

However, Akutah, on the sidelines of the 2026 NSC management retreat at Abeokuta, told journalists that the warring parties  must be willing to shift ground to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

He stressed that discussions between the two parties should be guided by a spirit of compromise and mutual understanding.

According to him, the Council had previously turned down requests for an increase in charges for two years, noting that the request was not necessarily aimed at profit-making or increasing profit margins.

Akutah emphasised that sustained engagement between stakeholders remains critical to maintaining stability in the maritime sector and ensuring that operational challenges do not disrupt port activities.

“I think that they need to work together more harmoniously to resolve these issues. We as a regulator have given the approval. It is left for the shipping companies and the Freight forwarders to come to a harmonious stand where they can implement this.”

“So, there must be a reason for people to move, shift ground it should be a give and take relationship.

“Whenever there is a stand down and nobody is moving, then there’s a problem. I am not speaking on behalf of the shipping companies, nor am I speaking on behalf of the Freight forwarders but I think they need to work together more harmoniously to resolve these issues.

“We as regulator have given the approval, it is left for the shipping companies and the Freight forwarders to come to a harmonious stand where they can implement this,” the Council boss explained.

He, however, reiterated the call for both parties to return to the roundtable to resolve the issue of tariff increment once and for all.

“We cannot sit and watch this without taking steps. It will get to a point where we can escalate this to the level of the minister if they fail to resolve it.

“Recently, we tried to see how we can wade into this to see how they can resolve this but this has kept going on. We are calling on both sides to go back to the table and see how they can resolve this issue and move on,” he stated.

“It is for the stakeholders in this sector to also understand that ours is also a relationship that needs to continue to roll on each other so that we can all move together.

“If they say there won’t be any hike in charges and at the end of the day, the cost of operation has hindered them from carrying out their functions, then we will not have a maritime sector,” he stated.

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At 2026 Shippers’ Council retreat, Anifowose calls for performance – driven strategy for efficient service delivery 

Gloria Odion in Abeokuta 
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been challenged to translate its bold reforms in the maritime industry to measurable performance backed by clinical execution that will ensure efficient service delivery to port operators.
This admonition was given by Mr Rotimi Anifowose , the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the NSC at its management retreat in Abeokuta on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.
Anifowose, in his welcome address at the event,  noted the bold vision of the Council as embedded in its 2030 strategic planning, saying such vision positions the agency as a credible port Economic Regulator, a technology-enabled institution, a proactive stakeholder partner and a measurable contributor to Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and marine economy development.
However, he warned that if this vision is not backed by performance and clinical execution, it will remain a dream.
“Strategy alone does not create impact, execution does. The difference between institutions that plan and institutions that perform lies in execution discipline” Anifowose observed.
He noted that one of the greatest risk a public institution can take in its strategic execution is to allow fragmentation of information, priorities and accountability.
He advised that under NSC 2030, fragmentation must give way to integration.
According to him, integration means that planning aligns with operations, operations align with regulatory objectives, regulatory outcomes align with stakeholder expectations and performance reporting aligns with measurable results collaboration must therefore be intentional and beyond cordial interaction.
He said innovation must also be deliberate within the Council to enhance regulatory efficiency, strengthen data analytics, simplify stakeholder processes, reduce turnaround times, and improve transparency.
“It must be practical, measurable and outcome-driven” he admonished.
 The NSC Director appealed that the agency could not afford to fail and disappoint the stakeholders whose expectations ‘are increasing and government priorities are becoming more performance-driven’
“The demand for efficiency, predictability, and transparency is rising.
” In this environment, execution is not optional, it is essential. If we execute effectively, Stakeholder confidence deepens, Institutional credibility strengthens, regulatory authority becomes respected and our contribution to national economic objectives becomes visible and measurable”
He further warned that if the NSC fails in the execution of its vision, the consequences will be grave that can lead to lose of momentum
“If we fail in execution, even a strong mandate can lose momentum” he noted.
The  2026 NSC management retreat was attended by Chairman of the Board, board members, management staff led by the Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah.
The 5- day event which started on March 4th will end on March 8th, 2026.
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Why President Tinubu refused to sign NSC’s NPERA bill into law

– as NSC administers oath of secrecy on staff to engender ethical conduct 
Gloria Odion in Abeokuta 
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, has given an insight into the reason why the much- awaited Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill has still not being signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since last year the instrument was transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
It could be recalled that the bill, which seeks to transform the NSC  into a powerful, independent economic regulator for Nigerian ports, has obtained concurrent approval from the House of Representatives and the Senate before it was transmitted to President Tinubu for presidential assent.
However, Akutah, while speaking at the 2026 management retreat for the NSC in Abeokuta on Thursday, March 5th, 2026, disclosed that the President refused to sign the much awaited bill into law due to some of its provisions which conflict with 2025 tax law.
As a result, the President had to send it back to the National Assembly for amendment.
“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.
“In line with the observations communicated by Mr. President, the Bill was returned to the National Assembly for the necessary corrections” Akutah disclosed.
He however stated that the House of Representatives had done the necessary corrections and sent it to the Senate for concurrence
“I am pleased to inform you that the House of Representatives has addressed the areas of conflict, amended the Bill in line with the President’s comments, and passed the revised version, which is now awaiting concurrence of the Senate”
” Once assented to, this legislation will provide the statutory foundation for strengthening Nigeria’s port economic regulatory framework and further reposition the Council for its expanded mandate.” the NSC boss assured.
Meanwhile, Akutah has charged the staff of the agency to imbibe ethical conduct, shun gossip, side- talks and misinformation, which he said are capable of destroying institutional integrity of the Council.
He disclosed that it was as a result to safeguard the sanctity and integrity of the Council that made the management to administer an oath of secrecy on the staff.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is a regulatory institution of national importance.
“The reputation, credibility and authority of this institution depend greatly on the conduct, integrity and professionalism of its staff.
“Every member of this organisation must therefore uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline confidentiality and institutional responsibility.
“It is important to remind us all that last year, staff of the Council formally took an Oath of Secrecy and Allegiance, which remains binding on every staff member of this organisation.
“That oath was not merely ceremonial. It was a solemn commitment to uphold the principles of confidentiality, loyalty and integrity in the discharge of our duties as public servants.
“Let me therefore emphasise clearly that confidentiality in official matters is not optional; it is a core obligation of public service.
“Equally important is the need to avoid gossip, rumour-mongering and the spread of lies, falsehoods and misinformation within the organisation.
“Such behaviours create mistrust among colleagues, undermine teamwork and collaboration, distort management decisions, weaken morale and productivity and damage the integrity and reputation of the institution.
“No serious organisation can thrive where rumours replace responsible communication and professionalism
He however warned that the management of the agency will not hesitate to weild the big stick on any staff found culpable in any act of unethical conduct, no matter how highly placed.
Akutah reminded the participants of the need to imbibe the theme of this year’s retreat, “Advancing Strategic Execution: Driving Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence for a Future-Ready NSC.” which he said must shape the thinking and conduct of every staff.
“This theme highlights three strategic imperatives that must guide the next phase of the Council’s institutional development.
“Collaboration, because no regulatory institution can operate effectively in isolation within a complex maritime ecosystem.
“Innovation, because the dynamics of global trade and logistics require institutions that are adaptive, technology-driven and forward-looking.
“And Excellence, because the credibility and authority of a regulator ultimately depend on the professionalism, integrity and performance of its people.
“These three pillars must therefore shape how we think, how we lead and how we execute our responsibilities as an institution
He admonished the management staff, Directors and Unit Heads to back the Council’s  2025–2029 Strategic Plan which was produced in Ibadan  retreat in 2025 with measurable performance rooted in clinical execution.
Akutah therefore urged them to work in tandem with the vision of the council while there must be coordination across all the units and departments for harmonised results.
“The strength of any institution is not measured by the quality of its plans, but by the discipline with which those plans are executed.”
“Directors and Heads of Units must therefore see themselves not merely as administrators of departments but as drivers of institutional transformation.
“In practical terms, this transformation requires stronger collaboration across departments and units, greater innovation in the way we deploy technology and regulatory tools, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence in service delivery and institutional performance.
The NSC disclosed that the management considered the staff as critical components that will make the agency achieve its vision.
As a result, he said adequate incentives and welfare packages have been approved for the staff to motivate them.
Such incentives include review of staff salaries, enhanced allowances and benefits and capacity trainings
“Institutional transformation must also be supported by improved staff welfare and motivation.
 “I am pleased to inform you that the proposed salary review for staff of the Council has already received approval from the Ministry and the OHCSF.
“The proposal is currently undergoing vetting and clearance by the Budget Office of the Federation, after which it will be considered by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for final approval prior to implementation.
“Management remains optimistic that the process will soon be concluded.
 “In addition, several welfare improvements have been introduced, including, Upward review of the Children Education Grant to per term, introduction of Health and Social Club allowances; and introduction of Proficiency Allowances to encourage professional development.
“These initiatives reflect management’s commitment to strengthening staff welfare and institutional morale.
“Last year also recorded a significant expansion in staff capacity development programmes.
“A larger number of staff were sponsored to attend international conferences,
professional meetings, specialised training programmes and local capacity development workshops.
“Indeed, the scale of staff participation in these programmes was unprecedented in the history of the Council.
“Our objective remains to build a workforce that is professionally competent, globally competitive and capable of supporting the Council’s expanding mandate” Akutah enthused.
He therefore charged all the staff to take full ownership of the council’s transformation agenda.
“This retreat is not merely an opportunity for discussion. It is a call to leadership.
“I therefore call on every Director and Head of Unit to take full ownership of the Council’s transformation agenda.
“Each department/unit must align its priorities with the strategic objectives of the Council.
“Each leader must inspire their teams toward higher performance. And each unit must commit itself to delivering measurable results.
“Let us remember that institutions do not transform themselves, people transform institutions, and the responsibility for that transformation begins with us” Akutah admonished.
The management retreat was attended by the Board Chairman of the Council, his members, management staff of the council, Directors and Heads of the various units.
The 5- day  event will end on March 8th, 2026.
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