The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing campaign to remove Nigeria from the war risk insurance list, insisting the classification is unjustified and economically harmful.
Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius MON, made the position clear while hosting a delegation from the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) at the Council’s headquarters on Thursday.
“Does Nigeria have any business being in the war risk zone?” Akutah queried, noting that there have been no terrorist incidents in Nigerian waters in the past three years.
He described the additional premiums imposed on vessels and cargo bound for Nigeria as avoidable costs that inflate port charges, weaken the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, and undermine the nation’s maritime trade.
Speaking on the upcoming MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture
(MAMAL) 2025 themed “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade “.
Akutah lauded the event as timely and critical. He commended MARAN for its consistent advocacy and commitment to reducing costs in the maritime industry, adding that the NSC is proud to partner with the association.
The NSC boss disclosed that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is already leading efforts to remove Nigeria from the war risk list but stressed that advocacy must go beyond government action, urging all industry stakeholders to join the push.
“This is how we will develop our sector by being proactive, not only criticising but bringing solutions to the table,” he stated, pledging full NSC participation in MAMAL 2025 and confirming his personal attendance.
Earlier, MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, praised the NSC’s regulatory efforts and suggested engaging regional and global bodies such as the United African Shippers’ Council (UASC) and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) to eliminate the war risk insurance burden once and for all.
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