The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Ukeyima, has called on the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Nigeria to partner with the Council in advancing reforms that will make Nigeria’s maritime industry a strong driver of economic growth.
Speaking at the ICC Nigeria Post-AGM Talk in Lagos on Thursday, Dr. Akutah who was represented by the NSC Deputy Director, Trade Services, Ms Adaora Nwonu described the maritime sector as a national development platform and the backbone of global commerce, stressing that no ambition to build a $1 trillion economy can succeed without a competitive shipping and logistics system.
Dr Akutah commended ICC Nigeria for its leadership in promoting private sector advocacy, trade standards, and global best practices, noting that such efforts align with the Shippers’ Council’s mandate to ensure fair, transparent, and efficient port operations.
The NSC boss outlined the Council’s ongoing reforms, including trade facilitation measures, port process harmonisation, and the protection of cargo owners from arbitrary charges. In 2024, he stated, the Council’s interventions saved the nation ₦52 billion in questionable foreign exchange claims and recovered over ₦2 billion for shippers through its dispute resolution platform.
He also emphasised the Council’s digital transformation agenda, which includes the automation of service platforms, integration with port community systems, and planned adoption of artificial intelligence and blockchain for oversight and cargo traceability.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offering a market of 1.4 billion people, Dr. Akutah urged Nigeria to modernise its ports, strengthen multimodal transport links, harmonise documentation, and remove trade barriers to position itself as Africa’s leading maritime hub.
He called on ICC Nigeria to leverage its influence within the business community to support these reforms and mobilise private sector investment in maritime infrastructure, inland dry ports, and intermodal logistics systems.
“The maritime sector is not just about shipping; it is about national prosperity, job creation, regional integration, and global competitiveness,” Dr. Akutah said, pledging the Council’s readiness to work closely with ICC Nigeria to achieve these shared goals.
Oh his part, Chairman of ICC Nigeria, Chief Raymond Ihyembe, noted that Africa’s trade environment remains challenging due to the continent’s diverse legal systems, which are legacies of colonial rule.
Highlighting ICC’s arbitration platform, Chief Ihyembe explained that law firms and businesses could opt for ICC arbitration to resolve disputes without resorting to litigation. He added that the ICC’s International Maritime Bureau plays a critical role in protecting sea trade, which has historically been a flashpoint for international conflicts.
“Africa is a strange continent because many countries have different legal systems — French, Portuguese, Spanish — and these colonial legacies still influence trade relations. They constitute barriers to trade, with some French-speaking countries reluctant to deal with English-speaking counterparts. However, the rules remain the same — ICC rules — and our role is to ensure compliance, not to police customs authorities.” Chief Ihyembe said.
Secretary-General of ICC Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi, stressed that capacity building remains one of the organization’s core priorities. She revealed that the chamber regularly trains stakeholders on international trade rules, such as the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP) and International Standard Banking Practice, and recently conducted training for the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Osuntuyi disclosed that ICC Nigeria is planning more trade visits, conferences, and online training sessions, including a series on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) best practices.
“We also act as an intermediary between regulators and the regulated to ensure that trade flows unhindered. We engage relevant government institutions to address teething challenges in new systems and encourage stakeholder engagement.” Osuntuyi said.
