Headlines

Shippers’ Council saves Nigeria over N46 billion in trade disputes, party charter agreements

-as Akutah gives account of stewardship

Funso OLOJO

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Pius Akutah has given an account of his stewardship at the Council in the last one year.

During his interaction with the Media on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 in Lagos, Akutah looked back to his first year in office with satisfaction at what stakeholders regarded as an impressive performance for a man who came fresh from the courtroom to the maritime industry.

Within the last one year, the council, under the leadership of Akutah and the management, has saved the country over N46 billion in trade disputes and party charters.

According to him, the council’s Regulatory Services Department has saved the nation over N40 billion through confirmation of fees and party charter agreements, while the Compliant Unit of the Council similarly saved the country the sum of N6 billion, which could have been lost to legal fees, orders to ground ships, and other activities in the sector.

” The economy could have been worse off if the money was not saved.

” This was made possible due to the App we developed about eight to nine months ago to automate our system that ensured settlement of disputes over freight charters, etc.

” The economic repercussions could have been huge if the money was lost.

” We not only saved money, we have improved the quality of trade through amicable resolution of conflicts through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR).”

Akutah disclosed that the council, in the last one year, had worked assiduously to improve the productivity and efficiency of the sector through innovative services and reforms.

The council’s boss was particularly excited by the progress made so far on the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency bill of 2023 which he said, when passed into law, will empower the council to revolutionise the sector.

The bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives and before the Senate for concurrence before going to the President for final consent.

Akutah said the bill, when it becomes a law, will be a watershed in the operations of the council which he lamented is currently operating on Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act of 1981 as amended, which is old, limiting and has outlived its usefulness.

“The current bill, Nigerian Shippers’ Council Port Economic Regulatory Agency of 2023, is one of the major initiatives by Mr President to reposition the sector for economic growth”

Akutah said the bill, when passed into law, will enhance the capacity of the council to drive reformative programmes that will enhance service delivery in the sector.

Looking forward into the coming years, Akutah said the council is open to collaboration with agencies of government that are involved in trade facilitation.

He also said the council is looking into the manufacturing sector to stimulate growth and capacity in production that will stand the country in good stead to take advantage of the huge opportunities under the African Free Continental Trade Area(AfCFTA).

Akutah emphasized the importance of Nigeria capitalizing on the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he noted had opened the African market to over 1.5 billion people with a combined market size of over $4 trillion.

According to him, the council will also work to enhance shipping services which he noted is crucial for economic growth.

Similarly, the council will work towards stimulating investments in the sector.

He acknowledged the contribution of APMT in this regard and encouraged other terminal operators to cue into this initiative.

However, Akutah expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders for their support in the last one year, while pleading for the continuation of such collaboration in the coming years to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the council.

He pledged to be accessible and receptive to suggestions, opinions and advice that will enhance the quality of the council’s services to the operators.

Related Topics:featured Shippers council

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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.