The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, has described middle-level management officers as the backbone of the Council’s ongoing reform agenda, stressing that the success of the agency’s transformation depends on their leadership, innovation and commitment.
Dr. Akutah made the declaration while opening the Operational Retreat for Grade Level 12–14 officers of the Council in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Addressing participants, the NSC boss urged the officers to see themselves as strategic leaders rather than routine supervisors, emphasizing that they play a crucial role in translating policies into measurable results.
He described the retreat as a strategic investment in leadership development, succession planning and institutional sustainability, noting that middle managers serve as the vital bridge between policy formulation and implementation.
“Middle management officers are central to the achievement of the Council’s strategic objectives. They are the link between vision and execution, and their effectiveness will determine the pace and success of our institutional reforms,” he stated.
Dr. Akutah observed that the Council operates in a rapidly evolving environment shaped by technological advancement, changing global trade patterns, increasing stakeholder expectations and greater demand for transparency and accountability.
He therefore challenged participants to uphold discipline, integrity, professionalism, collaboration and innovation, describing these values as essential for achieving institutional excellence and strengthening the Council’s mandate as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator.
The Executive Secretary also urged officers to move beyond routine administrative functions by embracing innovation, taking ownership of responsibilities and adopting proactive approaches to problem-solving and service delivery.
He further encouraged participants to leverage technology to improve operational efficiency while promoting teamwork, mentorship, knowledge sharing and cross-departmental collaboration.
“No department can effectively deliver the Council’s mandate in isolation. Collaboration, mentorship and deliberate knowledge transfer are necessary to ensure institutional continuity and growth,” he said.
In a major policy announcement, Dr. Akutah unveiled the Retreat Governance and Performance Management Policy, a new framework designed to ensure that resolutions reached during retreats are effectively implemented and aligned with the Council’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, departmental deliverables, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and individual performance targets.
He disclosed that a Retreat Steering Committee, working alongside the Strategic Planning and Research Department (SPRD) and the Human Resources Management Department, would oversee implementation, monitoring and compliance with the framework.
According to him, the policy is aimed at ensuring that retreat deliberations translate into measurable outcomes and sustainable institutional reforms.
Expressing confidence in the retreat’s outcome, Dr. Akutah said participants would leave with enhanced leadership skills, fresh perspectives and renewed motivation to contribute more effectively to the Council’s strategic objectives.
Earlier, the Director of Strategic Planning and Research, Mr. Olurotimi Anifowose, urged participants to embrace professionalism, accountability, innovation and teamwork, noting that enduring institutional success is defined by the people inspired, the values upheld and the systems strengthened.
He encouraged officers to mentor younger colleagues, foster collaboration over rivalry and actively participate in the retreat to enhance the Council’s future growth.
Delivering a paper titled, “From Operational Overseers to Strategic Analysts,” maritime policy analyst and Lead Consultant for the retreat, Dr. Williams Azuh, described middle managers as the “midfielders” of every organisation whose strategic importance cannot be overstated.
He highlighted the critical role of middle-level officers in driving organisational performance and achieving institutional objectives, while outlining the retreat’s goals and expected outcomes.
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