MARCON to Honour NPERA DG Pius Akutah With Lifetime Achievement Award

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Akutah, is set to be honoured with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly the development of port economic regulation and institutional reforms in the industry.

The award reflects a professional journey spanning the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the emergence of NPERA as the country’s dedicated port economic regulator. During the NSC era, Akutah was involved in the development and strengthening of the port economic regulatory framework, an experience that has continued to shape his work as the pioneer head of NPERA.

The transition from the NSC to NPERA also places him at the centre of an important phase in Nigeria’s maritime regulatory development, as functions and responsibilities associated with port economic regulation evolve under the new agency. MARCON considers this trajectory significant to the development of a more structured and effective regulatory environment for the nation’s ports.

Beyond institutional regulation, Akutah’s maritime-sector record includes his engagement with industry stakeholders and contributions to the resolution of disputes within the maritime space. MARCON has also recognised his emphasis on fairness, stakeholder engagement and the need for regulatory institutions to work collaboratively with operators and other participants in the industry.

Akutah, who has accepted the award, is expected to receive it at the MARCON 2026 Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria, scheduled for September 30 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

Speaking on the development, Chairman of the MARCON Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the award reflects the breadth and significance of Akutah’s service to the maritime sector.

“Dr Akutah’s recognition is a reflection of the impact of his years of service to Nigeria’s maritime sector and his contribution to the development of a stronger economic regulatory framework for the ports. MARCON considers the award a fitting acknowledgement of a career that has combined professional commitment, institutional development and service to the industry,” Ogbuokiri said.

Ogbuokiri added that the recognition also reflects MARCON’s commitment to acknowledging professionals whose careers have contributed to the growth and institutional development of Nigeria’s maritime industry, noting that Akutah’s transition from the NSC to the leadership of NPERA represents a significant phase in the evolution of port economic regulation.

The NPERA chief executive is also scheduled to present a paper titled, “Port Economic Regulation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Fishing and Blue-Economy Development in Nigeria.”

The conference, with the theme, “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods,” will bring together policymakers, regulators, maritime security agencies, fishing industry operators, researchers, maritime training institutions, coastal communities, journalists and other stakeholders.

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The conference is designed to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine practical pathways for developing Nigeria’s fisheries sector, strengthening food security, creating employment and improving the livelihoods of coastal communities.