To address the long standing inefficiencies in Nigeria’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has unveiled an ambitious and far reaching strategy aimed at establishing a Standard Regulatory Framework that could revolutionise port operations in the country.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah who was represented by the Deputy Director of Regulatory Services, Ibrahim Mohammed, said this during a paper presentation on “Ensuring Standard Regulatory Framework: What Strategies and Options?”, at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) under the conference theme, “Maritime Development: Training, Ports Efficiency and Shipping Imperatives.”
Akutah underscored the urgent need for reform, citing Nigeria’s dismal performance in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index, where the country ranks 130th out of 139 nations. This, he noted, is a reflection of systemic inefficiencies in infrastructure, regulatory enforcement, and trade facilitation. The situation is further exacerbated by port congestion, overlapping agency mandates, and a cumbersome documentation process that continues to stifle trade and investment.
The current regulatory landscape at Nigerian ports, according to Akutah, is fragmented, with more than eight federal agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), and others, performing overlapping functions. This multiplicity has resulted in compliance bottlenecks, with 49% of port delays reportedly caused by multiple inspections and lack of coordination among the agencies.
Although, efforts toward digitalisation have commenced among a few agencies like the NSC, many still operate using manual processes that not only slow down port operations but also open the system to corruption and inefficiency. Akutah stressed that addressing these challenges is no longer optional but a matter of economic survival, especially with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now in full swing.
Drawing from global models and referencing the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Akutah emphasised that a standard regulatory framework is both a technical necessity and an economic imperative. He reiterated that where regulation is clear, smart, and efficient, trade thrives and where it is fragmented and inconsistent, trade stagnates.
To transform the maritime regulatory space, the NSC has proposed a holistic strategy rooted in transparency, predictability, inclusiveness, and technology. The Council’s blueprint envisions a unified regulatory environment where codified rules are accessible and regularly updated, tariffs are transparent, and compliance mechanisms are driven by digital innovation, including blockchain integration and API-driven systems for real-time monitoring.
The NSC also plans to introduce a centralized Port Community System (PCS) that will digitally connect all stakeholders, Customs, NPA, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and shippers. Citing Ghana’s success with GCNet and ICUMS, which boosted port revenue by 34% and reduced clearance times by 60% within a year, the Council expressed optimism that similar results could be achieved in Nigeria through such integration.
Equally central to the NSC’s agenda is the institutional harmonisation of regulatory roles, capacity building for compliance officers, and consistent stakeholder engagement. A new Quarterly Regulatory Roundtable will be instituted to ensure that the voices of port users and industry players are not only heard but factored into policy formulation. This move responds to findings from a 2023 Maritime Stakeholder Survey, which revealed that 64% of port users feel excluded from current regulatory processes.
To enhance transparency and accountability, the NSC said that they will introduce monthly scorecards to monitor key performance indicators such as dwell time, port turnaround, inspection frequency, and shipping costs. The Council also proposes the establishment of a specialized Maritime Economic Tribunal that would fast-track the resolution of port-related disputes within 21 days, modeled after Singapore’s 14-day dispute resolution benchmark.
The Council is also advocating for the speedy passage of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Authority (NPERA) Bill, which seeks to consolidate regulatory authority under the NSC, eliminate duplication, and provide legal clarity for enforcement. According to the House Committee on Ports and Harbours, the bill is projected to reduce regulatory overlap by 40%, enhance investor confidence by 31%, and lower average port service costs by up to 20% within three years.
Akutah also pointed to global examples such as Morocco, Singapore, Kenya, and Ghana countries that have successfully modernized their ports through digitalisation and regulatory clarity. He noted that Nigeria, with the right policy choices, can replicate these successes and unlock the full potential of its maritime economy.
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