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By Daniel Adaji
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday tasked the newly inaugurated Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to strengthen governance, reduce port-related costs, and drive reforms that will make Nigeria’s maritime sector more competitive.
Oyetola gave the charge while inaugurating the board at the minister’s conference room in Abuja, describing the exercise as a major step toward reinforcing accountability and institutional effectiveness in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
He said the constitution of the board, approved by President Bola Tinubu in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to entrench good governance and reposition the maritime industry as a key driver of national economic transformation.
According to the minister, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council occupies a strategic role as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, with responsibility for ensuring efficiency, fairness, and transparency in port pricing, charges, and service delivery.
He stressed that effective regulation is critical to cutting the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, facilitating trade, protecting shippers’ interests, and improving Nigeria’s standing in regional and global commerce.
Oyetola charged the board members to provide strategic direction, sound policy guidance, and firm oversight in line with statutory provisions and government policies.
He urged them to work closely with the council’s management, uphold professionalism, and ensure that decisions taken at board meetings translate into measurable outcomes in trade facilitation, cost reduction, and sectoral competitiveness.
He also assured the board of the ministry’s full support, calling on members to justify the confidence reposed in them by the President through integrity, discipline, and demonstrable results.
The newly inaugurated Governing Board is chaired by former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema. Other members are Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the council; Emi Membere-Otaji, representing the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; John Aluya, representing the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Chiji Collins; Olufunmilayo Olaseinde; Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Mele Kofo Gladem; Hafsatu Mohammed, representing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited; Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Uzoamaka Okereke, representing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Responding on behalf of the board, Shema thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in what he described as a strategic national assignment. He also expressed appreciation to the minister for the confidence placed in the board and for his leadership in repositioning the sector.
He assured that the board would carry out its responsibilities with dedication, professionalism, and integrity, pledging effective oversight, stronger regulatory efficiency, and support for initiatives aimed at improving port performance, trade facilitation, and the broader economic agenda.
Established as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is responsible for promoting efficiency, transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in port operations and service delivery, while safeguarding the interests of shippers and improving Nigeria’s maritime trade environment.