The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) is working towards creating a comprehensive data bank to serve as the custodian of Nigerian port industry statistics. This move is aimed at providing a reliable source of historical data and a tool for forecasting industry trends, helping to shape the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The NPCC leadership unveiled this plan on Tuesday during the inauguration of five new committees tasked with developing actionable ideas to drive growth in the port industry.
The committees are chaired by experienced professionals, including Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN) for the Ports Legal Committee, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu for the Port Operations and Logistics Committee, and Prof. Bamidele Badejo for the Research, Development, Consultancy, and Training Committee, among others.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of NPCC, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, highlighted the critical role a centralized database would play in supporting industry operators, regulators, and the government. He stated that access to accurate and reliable data would enable stakeholders to make informed decisions on investments, policy adjustments, and infrastructure planning. Sunmola also expressed optimism about the NPCC’s potential to become the primary custodian of port statistics through collaboration with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders at the seaports.
The Vice Chairman of NPCC, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), emphasized the importance of the newly inaugurated committees aligning their work plans with their terms of reference. She reassured stakeholders of the Council’s support in ensuring the committees achieve their objectives and contribute meaningfully to the development of the port industry.
Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, Chairman of the Port Operations and Logistics Committee, stressed the need for a thorough assessment of the nation’s seaports, focusing on port operations and human activities. He noted that understanding these dynamics would be critical for planning sector growth and measuring the performance of operators, agencies, and other stakeholders.
Adding his perspective, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, Vice Chairman of the Port Operations and Logistics Committee, highlighted the importance of ensuring that the maritime and port sectors are properly reflected in the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He argued that the NPCC’s efforts to become the custodian of port statistics would provide vital data to institutions like the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), enabling better integration of the maritime sector into GDP calculations.
With the inauguration of these committees and the ambitious plan to manage port industry statistics, the NPCC is positioning itself as a key player in the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
