Oyetola Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Tasks Members on Port Efficiency
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday inaugurated the new Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Abuja, charging members to strengthen regulatory oversight and help reduce the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
The ceremony, held in the nation’s capital, marked the formal constitution of the board following its approval by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the event, Oyetola described the development as a major step toward deepening institutional governance in the maritime sector.
He noted that the inauguration aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to reposition Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy as a driver of national growth.
He stated that the constitution of the Board, approved by President Bola Tinubu, in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to good governance, institutional effectiveness, and the strategic repositioning of the maritime sector as a catalyst for national economic transformation.
The minister highlighted the central role of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, explaining that the agency is crucial to ensuring fairness, transparency, and efficiency in port operations.
Oyetola noted that effective regulation remains essential to “reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, facilitating trade, protecting the interests of shippers, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global commerce.”
He urged members of the board to provide sound leadership and policy direction, while ensuring strict adherence to established laws and government policies.
The minister called on the board to collaborate closely with the management of the NSC and to focus on professionalism and measurable impact.
The former Governor of Osun State urged the Board to work harmoniously with the management of the NSC, uphold professionalism, and ensure that every meeting and decision delivers measurable outcomes in trade facilitation, cost reduction, and sectoral competitiveness.
Assuring the new board of the ministry’s support, Oyetola asked members to justify the confidence placed in them by the President through diligence and integrity.
The Governing Board is chaired by former Katsina State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema.
Responding on behalf of other members, Shema expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged that the board would work toward achieving the objectives of the Council.
He assured that the Board would discharge its responsibilities with dedication, professionalism, and integrity, and pledged its commitment to providing effective oversight, strengthening regulatory efficiency, and supporting initiatives that will enhance port performance, improve trade facilitation, and advance the national economic agenda.
Shema further assured that the “Board would work in close collaboration with the Ministry and the Management of the NSC to deliver tangible and sustainable results for Nigerian shippers and the wider economy.”
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council functions as the official economic regulator of the nation’s ports, with responsibility for protecting the interests of shippers, promoting transparency, and improving service delivery within the maritime sector.
Other members of the newly inaugurated board include the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr Pius Akutah; representative of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Emi Membere-Otaji; representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr John Aluya; Chiji Collins; Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olaseinde; Dr Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed; representative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and representative of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Uzoamaka Okereke.
The inauguration is expected to strengthen regulatory coordination in Nigeria’s maritime industry and support ongoing reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and economic competitiveness.
