The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has disclosed that the revised Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting concurrence from the Senate before being transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
This is even as it will strengthen port economic regulation and unlock the maritime sector’s potential to support Nigeria’s target of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
This was revealed during the Council’s Strategic Management Retreat held in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday, where the Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, emphasized the importance of strengthening the port economic regulatory framework to unlock the vast potential of the maritime sector.
The retreat, themed “Advancing Strategic Execution: Driving Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence for a Future-Ready NSC,” brought together the Executive Secretary/CEO, management and staff of the Council to review strategies and strengthen institutional performance.
While declaring the Retreat open, the Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim S. Shema noted that the governing board under his leadership remains fully committed to providing the policy direction required to support management in achieving the national goals outlined for the marine and blue economy sector by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Dr Shema linked the Council’s mandate to the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the administration’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030 can be achieved through the effective implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
He added that through strengthened regulatory frameworks, technological adoption and enhanced public-private partnerships, the Council can play a key role in positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa and an important player in global trade.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Sugra T. Mahmood, explained that the Council’s regulatory role goes beyond protecting the interests of shippers, adding that it also safeguards Nigeria’s broader economic and trade interests.
Mahmood who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim, therefore urged the Council to deepen collaboration with key industry stakeholders, including terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders, regulatory agencies and the private sector, in order to improve port efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime trade.
Providing an update on the legislative process, Dr Akutah explained that the bill had earlier been passed by the National Assembly and forwarded for presidential assent but was subsequently returned for review due to certain provisions that conflicted with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act 2025.
According to Akutah, the House of Representatives has since addressed the identified areas of conflict, amended the bill in line with the President’s observations and passed the revised version, which now awaits concurrence from the Senate.
He said once the legislation is finally assented to, it will provide the statutory framework for strengthening Nigeria’s port economic regulatory system and reposition the Council for an expanded mandate within the maritime sector.
“The bill will provide the statutory foundation for strengthening Nigeria’s port economic regulatory framework and further reposition the Council for its expanded mandate,” he said.
Akutah explained that the retreat builds on the foundation laid during the Five-Year Strategic Management Retreat held in Ibadan in 2025, where the Council developed its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan to guide the organisation’s transition toward a stronger port economic regulatory framework.
Beyond regulatory reforms, Ukeyima highlighted digital transformation as a key pillar of the Council’s modernisation drive, noting that the Council recently launched an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) aimed at strengthening document management, workflow automation and institutional record management.
He added that the Council has also initiated several digital reforms to enhance internal efficiency, including improved workflow and approval systems, electronic documentation, stronger integration of operational processes and data-driven decision making across departments.
These initiatives, he said, include the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), development of inland transport infrastructure and efforts to enhance trade facilitation and economic regulatory oversight within Nigerian ports.
Ukeyima also announced that management has made progress on staff welfare, revealing that a proposed salary review for the Council’s workforce has already received approval from the supervising ministry and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and is currently undergoing vetting by the Budget Office of the Federation before final consideration by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
He added that additional welfare improvements introduced by management include an upward review of the Children Education Grant, introduction of health and social club allowances as well as proficiency allowances to encourage professional development among staff.
While urging staff to maintain professionalism and discipline, Ukeyima reminded them that the oath of secrecy and allegiance previously taken by members of the Council remains binding, stressing that confidentiality in official matters is a core obligation of public service.
