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

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.