The Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has pledged full support for the Council’s management in driving the Federal Government’s economic growth agenda, including achieving at least seven per cent growth by 2027–2028.
The commitment was made in Lagos at the inaugural meeting of the newly inaugurated board, where the Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Shema, said the board would work closely with management to help realise President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of growing Nigeria’s economy to a one-trillion-dollar GDP by 2030.
Dr Shema, a former Governor of Katsina State, described the targets as ambitious but achievable with sustained commitment and collaboration between the board and management.
According to him, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is determined to support the President’s economic vision. “The Council, the Board and management are hereby called to service. We have a lot of work ahead of us,” he said.
The board chairman stressed that harnessing the full potential of the blue economy would require collective effort, noting that the Council will prioritise initiatives aimed at improving ease of doing business, facilitating trade and commerce, enhancing revenue generation, and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders across the real economy and the maritime sector.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr Pius Akutah, said a strong and collaborative relationship between the board and management would deliver measurable institutional and financial outcomes for the NSC.
He outlined key priority areas requiring the board’s guidance, including the passage of the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill, the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), and the operationalisation of the one per cent Freight Stabilisation Fee.
“These initiatives are critical to strengthening regulatory clarity, improving cargo visibility, enhancing national security and securing sustainable revenue for the Council,” Akutah said.
He added that while the task ahead is demanding, it presents an opportunity to reposition the NSC as a financially resilient and institutionally stronger regulator.
“Management is fully committed to supporting the Board with robust data, sound financial analysis and structured stakeholder engagement to ensure that all initiatives are pursued in a lawful, transparent and stakeholder-responsive manner,” he said.
Akutah described the inaugural meeting as a landmark moment in the history of the Council, expressing confidence that the calibre of the newly constituted board would help the NSC achieve its strategic objectives and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
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